Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Elenor for whom Councillor Ashbee was present as substitute.

Councillor Dixon declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 11.

To approve the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 26 May 2015, copy attached.

Councillor Campbell proposed, Councillor G. Coleman-Cooke seconded and Members agreed the minutes of the Panel meeting held on 26 May 2015.

The Leader presented the Corporate Priorities and Values 2015-2019:

Priorities:

Priority 1: A clean and welcoming environment

Priority 2: Supporting neighbourhoods

Priority 3: Promoting inward investment and job creation.

The Leader explained that newly defined values had been produced in order to identify the way the Council would work to deliver the priorities:

Values:

Value 1: Delivering value for money

Value 2: Supporting the workforce

Value 3: Promoting open communication

The Panel raised the following points for consideration:

-  Clarification was asked for on what services the council would be ‘moving away from’ and concerns raised that larger number of priorities may have been ‘squashed’ into the smaller number.

-  Use of innovative methods and using pilot schemes to improve services;

-  Improvement of signage to encourage residents to use bins appropriately.

-  Utilise existing publications going to residents such as town and parish council magazines to share Corporate Priorities.

-  Consider providing paid for waste collection service to businesses.

The Leader reported that in the context of anticipated further spending cuts following the Comprehensive Spending Review undertaken by central government, it was proposed that Corporate Priorities be reduced from 11 to 3.  He advised that the number of priorities had been reduced in line with the recommendations made by the Peer Review in 2014 and the priorities were to focus on improving quality of life in Thanet.

The Panel were advised that if there were services that needed to be ended, there would need to be a consultation.  It was explained to the Panel that the Budget Consultation 2015-16 had helped to identify the services most valued by people in Thanet.

The Leader said that the waste and recycling services to homes in Thanet should be standardised.  He advised the Panel that the Education Officer would work to change behaviour to improve the cleanliness of the streets, as well as the Enforcement Officers issuing fixed penalty fines for littering.

Members agreed to recommend to Cabinet the Corporate Priorities and Values 2015-2019 as drafted.

Gavin Waite, Director of Operational Services introduced the report.

The Panel were advised that the council has worked with businesses to make sure waste disposal contracts are in place.  It was reported that bins for business users have been used inappropriately by the public and work has been done to look at how to deal with this.  Enforcement has been carried out where possible and the council has been very successful with initiatives introduced to tackle fly tipping.  Further work was on going to review the locations of bins and to work with businesses.

The Panel raised issues about residents who have been forced to use public bins due to not being provided with a residential service and the timings of street cleaning services.

The Panel noted the report.

Edwina Crowley, Property Manager introduced the report.  The Panel was informed that the council owned property which was tenanted to ‘Your Leisure’ from 2004 on 25 year lease was in need of improvements.

Members raised concerns about disabled access and signage for the Winter Gardens and queried if Kent County Council (KCC) could be approached for input.

Edwina Crowley advised the Panel that there has been a Margate Seafront Steering Group which KCC have been involved in.

The Panel were advised that a report would be brought to Cabinet later in the year.

Members agreed to maintain a watching brief on the issue and to await the completion of the current tenancy agreements review being conducted by the Executive.

Edwina Crowley, Property Manager presented the report.

The Panel was advised that the museum had been reliant on volunteers for archiving of the Artefacts Collections as an archivist had not been employed.  It was proposed that funding should be obtained to ensure this work continued with a paid archivist in post.

Councillor Johnston spoke under Council Procedure rule 24.1 to raise concerns that the museum itself was in a state of disrepair and that artefacts were at risk of damage.

Edwina Crowley advised that obtaining funding for the building repairs was an urgent requirement.

Councillor Campbell proposed, Councillor G. Coleman-Cooke seconded and Members agreed to recommend to Cabinet that the application for external funding through the Heritage Lottery Fund be pursued as a matter of priority.

Tim Howes, Head of Legal and Democratic Services & Monitoring Officer introduced the report.

Councillor Johnston spoke under Council Procedure rule 24.1 regarding the PwC Review of the CPO indemnity process for Manston Airport and criticisms that had been made about 20 documents that were not submitted by the Council.

Madeleine Homer advised the Panel that a response could have been produced but the Department for Transport would not accept comments from the Council on the PwC report, as it was considered a closed report.

The Leader advised the Panel that the draft report had been presented to the Council in advance of receipt of the final report but commented that the report was produced in a manner which did not invite input from the Council.

Councillor Curran proposed, Councillor G. Coleman-Cooke seconded and Members agreed to note the matters raised and take no further action.

The Panel queried with the Leader whether a working party for the Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) should be re-formed.  The Leader (who was present at the meeting) said he would look into a group being set up.

The Panel also agreed the following:

1.  To note the report;

2.  Agree the amended terms of reference as proposed by the three sub-groups in Annex 1 of the report;

3.  Refer the Chairman of KCC Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee’s response in Annex 3 of the report to Full Council meeting on 15 October 2015.

4.  To keep a watchful brief to monitor the progress by EKHUFT towards developing the new clinical strategy for the region whilst maintaining a special interest on its implications for Thanet District.

The Panel noted the report.