Agenda and minutes

The following substitutions were made:

Councillor Flunder for Councillor Aberley

Councillor Hughes for Councillor Shaw

Councillor L Swindlehurst for Councillor Johnson

Councillor Pascall for Councillor Whitehouse

Councillor Barks for Councillor Smith

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 November 2023, be approved.

There were none.

      i.        Disclosable Pecuniary Interests;

     ii.        Other Interests.

None were declared.

There were none.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be approved.

Members were given a presentation which covered the following topics;

·         Background and Introduction

·         People Structure Overview

·         Finance Overview

·         KPI’s

·         Compliance – Legislation

Discussions centred around specific issues concerned with maintenance and cleaning, levels of investment, capital costs, objectives and future plans to maintain efficiency, sub-contractor overspend, use of local contractors and generating more activity to use the Disabled Facilities Grant funding.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the presentation be received;

2)    For the figures (split between HPBC & SMDC) on the capital programme income and expenditure to be provided to the Panel.

Members received a verbal summary on the Corporate Annual Health and Safety Report from David Owen.

The Annual Health and Safety report updated councillors on the key aspects of health and safety activity which occurred across the two Councils during the period from April 2022 to March 2023.

The annual report also provided detail on training information, emerging risks, and supporting statistical information as shown in the appendices.

Discussion topics included:

Management of asbestos and legionella, increased verbal abuse, closed church yards, inclusion of topics in councillor development programme, updates to legislation and water safety risk assessment.

Members thanked David for a comprehensive and detailed report.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the report be noted;

2)    For members to be briefed on health & safety, lone working & violence and aggression policy.

The purpose of the report was to invite the Panel to recommend the implementation of the premium for empty homes (that had been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one year or more) from 1 April 2024, and to implement the premium for second homes (no one’s sole or main residence) from 1 April 2025.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 introduced new powers for local authorities, to reduce the period for which a premium can be applied to an empty property from two years to one year, and to apply a premium of up to 100% on second homes.

There were 426 properties that would attract the empty property premium from 1 April 2024 and 253 properties that would attract the second home premium from 1 April 2025.

Full details were contained within the report.

In respect of second homes, the Act introduced a new section to apply a premium of up 100%, but stated that the billing authority must give twelve months’ notice to owners of second homes before the premium can be applied

Members debated properties being renovated including long-term renovation projects, long-term empty properties, frequency of inspection, the housing crisis and individual cases.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the report be noted;

2)    The Panel recommended Cabinet approval of the following:-

a)    Implement the premium of 100% for properties that have been empty for over one year (applied to properties over two years currently) from 1 April 2024.

b)    Implement the maximum premium of 100% for second homes from 1 April 2025 (this being the earliest that the new charge can apply, as legislation states that twelve months’ notice is required to be given to existing owners of second homes).

c)     Where premiums are to be applied, the Council is mindful of the current consultation by government, which recommends exceptions in certain circumstances outlined within this report. Subject to the outcome of that consultation, it is recommended that the Section 151 Officer be given delegated powers to implement the Councill’s policy on premiums in line with statute, the Council’s requirements and any guidance given by the Secretary of State.

Members received a verbal summary of the Alliance Employee Survey 2023.

The purpose of the report was to provide the Resources Overview & Scrutiny Panel with a summary of the Alliance’s Employee Survey, results, and action plan.

A new Annual Employee Survey was introduced for the Alliance workforce in 2023. The survey had been designed locally, to understand and improve employee experience, and in turn improve how the Council delivers for local residents. The survey had a high level of engagement, with 70% employee participation – a very good response rate.

Overall results were very encouraging, with positive feedback across all survey questions.

The results were therefore extremely encouraging and provided a good base on which to build. Results have been reviewed by senior leaders and shared with teams across the Alliance – resulting in further feedback and an action plan, in an effort to further improve employee experience.

Members welcomed the positive report, the inclusion of trends and comparisons in future reports was noted along with how staff could be encouraged to complete the survey.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Th Chair to move:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 10 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

The Chair moved:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 10 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 November 2023, be approved.