Agenda and minutes

It was proposed by Councillor Meyers,

Seconded by Councillor McKenna; and

RESOLVED

That the agenda items 1 -7  be heard but items 8 – 17  be deferred on the basis that the agenda was large, and the Committee Members did not feel they could give items due diligence.

(Voting figures: 5 for, 2 against, 0 abstentions).

Members of the committee should declare any interests which fall under the following categories*:

a)    disclosable pecuniary interests (DPI);

b)    other significant interests (OSI);

c)     voluntary announcements of other interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2017 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

Report C/17/20 provides a projection of the end of year financial position for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme based on net expenditure to 31 May 2017.  The report also summarises the 2016/17 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the HRA revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme compared to both the latest approved budget. 

This matter was not formally considered by the Committee.  An informal discussion took place in the presence of Deborah Upton and Mark Anderson from East Kent Housing

Report C/17/12 provides an update on the Council’s performance for the final quarter of 2016/17, covering 1^st January 2017 to 31^st March 2017.  The report enables the Council to assess progress against the approved performance indicators for each service area. 

This report includes the full list of performance indicators and key performance indicators that will be monitored during 2017/18 and reported to CMT and Members quarterly.

The report also includes an overview of the complaints and compliments the Council has received from 1^st April 2016 to 31^st March 2017.

Report C/17/12 provided an update on the Council’s performance for the final quarter of 2016/17, covering 1^st January 2017 to 31^st March 2017.  The report enables the Council to assess progress against the approved performance indicators for each service area.  The report included the full list of performance indicators and key performance indicators that will be monitored during 2017/18 and reported to CMT and Members quarterly and also included an overview of the complaints and compliments the Council had received from 1^st April 2016 to 31^st March 2017.

Suzy Tigwell, Leadership Support Manager, presented the report.  Suzy Tigwell and Andrew Blaszkowicz, Head of Commercial and Technical Services then responded to queries raised by the Committee Members, and made the following points:

·        The number of present lifeline users was around 5,000.  The table set out on page 46 of the agenda referred to the number of calls rather than the number of users.

·        With regard to the table on page 51 of the agenda relating to waste, Quarter 4 referred to the period 1 January to 31 March 2017.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Jeffrey,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Carey; and

RESOLVED

That report C/17/12 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 7 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

Report C/17/11: The Performance Management Framework was originally created and approved in 2014.  On 24^th February 2016, Cabinet approved the council’s new approach to performance management.  The Performance Management Framework has been revised to reflect the new procedures and ensure that it is up to date and reflect current working practices.

Report C/17/11: The Performance Management Framework was originally created and approved in 2014.  On 24^th February 2016, Cabinet approved the council’s new approach to performance management.  The Performance Management Framework had been revised to reflect the new procedures and ensure that it is up to date and reflected current working practices.

Suzy Tigwell, Leadership Support Manager, presented the report.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Carey,

Seconded by Councillor Gane; and

RESOLVED:

That Report C/17/11 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 7 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

Report C/17/21 The Council will adopt a new Asset Management Framework from 2017 which is intended to last us through the next 5 years.  This new framework replaces the previous Corporate Property Strategy 2013-2018 and the Asset Management Plan 2013-2018.

The new framework will provide Officers with clear direction for managing the corporate property portfolio whilst closely linking in with the strategic objectives set out in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Report C/17/21: The Council will adopt a new Asset Management Framework from 2017 which is intended to last through the next 5 years.  This new framework replaces the previous Corporate Property Strategy 2013-2018 and the Asset Management Plan 2013-2018.  The new framework will provide Officers with clear direction for managing the corporate property portfolio whilst closely linking in with the strategic objectives set out in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Andrew Blaszkowicz, Head of Commercial and Technical Services, presented the report. 

Tim Madden, Corporate Director – Organisational Change, then responded to points raised by the Committee Members and made points including the following:

·        The figures on page 106 of the agenda pack showed a budget shortfall over the medium term.  These had been considered as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy calculations at Cabinet in May 2017  and the Council would be going through its annual budget process to address and resolve future deficits.

Proposed by Councillor Meyers,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Wheeler; and

RESOLVED

That report C/17/21 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 6 for, 0 against, 1 abstention).

A presentation will be given by the Head of Commercial and Technical Services.

Andrew Blaszkowicz, Head of Commercial and Technical Services, gave a presentation which set out proposals to introduce  parking restrictions along the seafront from Sandgate Esplanade including all of Princes Parade due to the strain on limited parking stock along the seafront in summer months, and the fact that the on-street parking account was operating in deficit.

He responded to queries raised by the Committee Members, and made points including the following:

·        The parking study from 2009 had not been significantly updated and it was perhaps more relevant now than in 2009, as the charges had been lower at that time.

·        The Pay and Display machines would be dual use, for coins and card payments, the same as other machines in the district.  They would operate on a pay in advance basis, rather than per usage.

·        The scheme would cover the whole of the seafront from Sandgate Esplanade including all of Princes Parade.  This would include shared use bays at Sandgate Esplanade, for use by resident and business permit holders, as well as pay and display.  Princess Parade would be solely Pay and Display. 

·        The controlled parking zone at Sandgate was discussed.  

·        The scheme was designed  to control visitor and business use parking, to enable residents to park.

·        The percentages set out in the income modelling were based on existing schemes within Shepway. 

Proposed by Councillor Gane,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Wheeler; and

RESOLVED:

1.    That the results from the formal consultation be brought back to a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Members to consider.

2.    That the presentation be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 7 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).