Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Town Hall, Watford

Contact: Sandra Hancock  Email: legalanddemocratic@watford.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

61.

Apologies for Absence/Committee Membership

Minutes:

There was a change of membership for this meeting: Councillor Mauthoor replaced Councillor Shah.

62.

Disclosure of interests (if any)

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interests.

63.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2016 to be submitted and signed.

 

Copies of the minutes of this meeting are usually available seven working days following the meeting.

 

(All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2016 were submitted and signed.

64.

Commissioning Framework: Watford and Three Rivers Trust and Watford Palace Theatre

Presentations by Watford and Three Rivers Trust and Watford Palace Theatre with an opportunity for scrutiny to ask questions of these commissioned organisations.

Minutes:

The Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head stated that following the report at the last meeting on the Commissioning Framework, different organisations would be invited to speak to the scrutiny committee about their role as a commissioned organisation.  At this meeting representatives were present from Watford and Three Rivers Trust and Watford Palace Theatre.  At the next meeting it was proposed to invite representatives from Shopmobility and Citizens Advice Watford.  In the new municipal year representatives from the community centre would be invited to a meeting.

 

Watford and Three Rivers Trust

 

Bob Jones, the CEO of Watford and Three Rivers Trust, provided information about the background of the Trust and its role.  He also explained about the voluntary sector in Watford.

 

Debbie Bezalel, the Director of Community and Voluntary Services (CVS), expanded on the work the trust carried out with local charities and groups.  The trust helped groups to identify their needs and how to become sustainable.  They assisted groups to develop business plans and find funding sources. 

 

Bob Jones informed the scrutiny committee that the trust had recently launched a new suite of websites.  The trust was also able to help groups develop their own websites.  The trust hosted Herts.Community, which included a social network platform.  He added that he would ensure all councillors would be sent an invite to join the network.

 

Following a question from the Chair about the council’s small grants fund, Debbie Bezalel confirmed the trust supported organisations with their applications; ensuring the application form included the right information.  There were occasions when the Small Grants team would refer a group to the trust for assistance.

 

The Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head stated that until recently only constituted groups were able to make applications to the small grants fund.  However this had recently changed and non-constituted groups could apply with Watford and Three Rivers Trust acting as their ‘banker’, who provided them with support and access to the funding.

 

Councillor Dhindsa congratulated the trust on its work with small groups who did not have a constitution.  He said that he felt the voluntary sector had died down over the years.  He asked how the trust engaged with the voluntary sector, particularly those from the black and minority ethnic (BME) community.  He understood that many in this community were not aware of the small grants fund.

 

Bob Jones commented that the sector had changed a lot over the years and he felt that the voluntary sector had possibly increased over the last 10 years.  He advised that an analysis of Watford’s voluntary sector had been carried out and aligned against the nine equality characteristics set out in the Equality Act.  It appeared that the BME community was struggling.  The trust contacted known groups to try to assist them; however he was aware that some groups had ceased to exist.  Outreach work had been carried out in the Muslim community.  The trust wanted to work with everyone and help the different  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

65.

Watford Borough Council Safeguarding Overview pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Report of the Culture and Play Section Head

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The scrutiny committee received a report and associated documents of the Culture and Play Section Head.  It explained the role and responsibilities of the council in relation to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

 

The Culture and Play Section Head gave an overview of the council’s role and how it referred matters of concern to the county council, who made the decision on the next steps to be followed.  Watford Borough Council would be carrying out a review of its policies and procedures; any recommendations would be presented to Leadership Team. 

 

Councillor Rindl commented that as she worked in a school she was very aware of safeguarding.  She had found the e-learning course very interesting.  She asked for clarification about the audit report and if the council had improved since the moderate assessment.

 

The Culture and Play Section Head explained that following the audit by the Shared Internal Audit Service, an action plan was produced.  In response to the comments about the e-learning course, he stated that officers were planning an all-member training session on safeguarding.

 

The Head of Community and Customer Services added that the Section 11 audit was carried out annually and reported to the county council.  Officers had asked the Shared Internal Audit Service to carry out the audit in order to get an overview of the council’s response.

 

The Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head advised that the action plan showed officers’ progress against the actions required as part of the audit report.  She considered that if the council was re-assessed it would have surpassed the moderate assessment as the actions identified as necessary and best practice had been undertaken.  A further audit would not at this stage serve a purpose but the review being planned would further scrutinise this area of work to enable further improvements.  Part of the reason for the review was to take account of potential emerging issues, including preventing violent extremism.  Safeguarding needed to be embedded in to the council’s work and best practice shared.  It was important to ensure the correct policies and procedures were in place. 

 

Following a comment from Councillor Martins asking how risks in this area were identified, the Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head informed the scrutiny committee that this was the role of the Community Safety Partnership.  The strategic assessment was built on intelligence about risks in the community.  If a particular safeguarding risk was identified, the partnership would work together to consider the risks. 

 

In response to a question from Councillor Khan about procedure for councillors with concerns, the Culture and Play Section Head suggested that councillors should contact either him, as lead officer, or one of his team identified in the policy and procedures.  Dependent on the concern a referral could be made to the county council to consider the matter further.

 

The Chair thanked the officers for the presentation.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that the report be noted.

66.

Presentation: Watford Borough Council - Establishing a Joint Venture and a Trading Company pdf icon PDF 97 KB

  • View the background to item 66.

Minutes:

The scrutiny committee received a copy of the presentation given by the Head of Community and Customer Services.  He explained about the new joint housing venture with Watford Community Housing Trust and the new companies, Watford Commercial Services Ltd, Hart Homes (Watford) Ltd and Sale LLP.  He informed members about the structure of each of the companies and the council’s relationship with each of them.  He added that the Deputy Managing Director, Nick Fenwick, had replaced him as a director and board member for Sale LLP and was an additional director for Watford Commercial Services Ltd. 

 

Following several questions from Councillor Martins, the Head of Community and Customer Services informed members that should there be a deadlock when making a decision, the articles of association would cover this matter.  He would ask the Head of Democracy and Governance to confirm this and the extent of the council’s liabilities with Sale LLP.  The business plans for each of the three businesses had been approved by Cabinet in November.  Each development scheme would need to stand on its own merits.  Any profits generated from a scheme would help fund affordable homes elsewhere.  The main aim of the venture was to ensure the introduction of new affordable homes in the Watford area.

 

Councillor Johnson, the portfolio holder responsible for housing and property, added that it would be necessary to have some property available at market level to enable affordable housing.  The town needed more affordable housing.  There was a political accountability.  Decisions would be reported to the council’s Property Investment Board. 

 

Councillor Khan commented that there needed to be a democratic oversight.  He noted the comment about the Property Investment Board.

 

Councillor Johnson added that information would also be presented to the Major Projects Board. 

 

Councillor Khan continued that scrutiny was important and there needed to be members’ input.  He said that Budget Panel was available to look at the financial aspects of schemes.  He asked whether ‘Right to Buy’ was applicable to the homes developed through this venture.

 

The Head of Community and Customer Services advised that properties would be developed within the borough and outside, as close to the borough as possible.  It would be necessary to consider the accessibility of developments outside the borough.  Each project had to be presented to the Property Investment Board.  The two organisations did not want to limit themselves to only developing properties within the borough.  In response to the comments about ‘Right to Buy’, he explained that under the current legislation this would not be applicable to properties owned through Hart Homes Ltd. 

 

Following a question about the risks to the council and trust, the Head of Community and Customer Services stated that each had a 50/50 stake.  For example, if the trust provided the land, then the council would provide the equivalent financial stake.  Any profits from developments may be added to capital or revenue accounts; it would depend on which company had generated the profit.  In response to a question about his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

67.

Executive Decision Progress Report pdf icon PDF 86 KB

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review the latest edition of the Executive Decision Progress Report and consider whether any further information is required.

 

Minutes:

The Scrutiny Committee received the latest edition of the Executive Decision Progress Report for 2016/17. 

 

RESOLVED –

 

that the updated report be noted.

68.

Hertfordshire County Council's Health Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Hastrick, the Council’s appointed representative to the County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee to provide an update.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Hastrick informed the scrutiny committee that the county’s Health Scrutiny Committee had met earlier that day and updated councillors on the main topic under discussion.

69.

Neighbourhood Forum Task Group - Cabinet response pdf icon PDF 44 KB

To feedback Cabinet's response to the recommendations from the Neighbourhood Forum Task Group

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The scrutiny committee received a report of the Committee and Scrutiny Officer including the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 December 2016, when the Neighbourhood Forum Task Group’s recommendations had been considered.

 

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer reported that Cabinet had reviewed the task group’s recommendations.  The Mayor had decided to create a small working group to further review the recommendations.  The group would comprise, the Mayor, Councillor Collett, portfolio holder for communities, Councillor Cavinder, Chair of the task group and the Head of Democracy and Governance.  The meeting was due to take place on Monday 23 January.

 

Following a question about the make-up of the working group and lack of an opposition councillor, the Committee and Scrutiny Officer explained that Neighbourhood Forums were an executive function and Cabinet had approved the Mayor’s suggestion about the working group.  Further information would be fed back to Overview and Scrutiny Committee once more details had been received.  Councillor Bell, group leader of the Labour group had been present at Cabinet.  The Committee and Scrutiny Officer agreed to contact the Head of Democracy and Governance about the make-up of the working group.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that an update be presented to Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 23 March 2017.

70.

Budget Panel

Since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Budget Panel has met on the following occasions –

 

·             29 November 2016

·             10 January 2017

 

The minutes are available on the Council’s website – www.watford.gov.uk/budgetscrutiny

 

The Chair of Budget Panel to provide an update to the Scrutiny Committee.

Minutes:

The Chair of Budget Panel, Councillor Khan, referred the scrutiny committee to the minutes which were available on the council’s website.

71.

Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel

Since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel met on the following occasions –

 

·             30 November 2016

·             17 January 2017

 

The minutes are available on the Council’s website - http://watford.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=223

 

The Chair of Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel to provide an update to the Scrutiny Committee.

Minutes:

The Chair of Outsourced Scrutiny Panel, Councillor Williams, advised that the scrutiny panel had met on two occasions since this scrutiny committee’s last meeting.  The minutes of the first meeting were available on the council’s website.  The latest meeting took place on Tuesday.  The scrutiny panel had received a report on the current ICT arrangements and how they were bedding in.  The panel had also received the Parking Service annual report.

72.

Community Safety Partnership Task Group

Since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Community Safety Task Group has not met.

 

Previous minutes are available on the Council’s website - http://watford.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=209

 

The Chair of the Community Safety Partnership Task Group to provide an update to the Scrutiny Committee.

Minutes:

The Chair of the Community Safety Partnership Task Group, Councillor Martins, informed the scrutiny committee that the task group had held its first meeting on 20 October 2016.  Since that meeting he had met with the relevant officers to discuss how this task group could move forward.  He felt it was important to see how all partners within the Community Safety Partnership worked, not just the Police.  A meeting was being arranged for councillors to learn about best practice in this area of scrutiny.  In addition following a discussion it had been agreed that three meetings would be scheduled for 2017/18 rather than just two, as in the current municipal year.

 

The Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head added that the Community Safety Partnership was driven by the strategic assessment.  This showed the risks to the community and set out the priorities for the partnership, which were then developed into an action plan.  The aim of the task group would be to scrutinise a specific priority rather than individual organisations.  This method would enable the task group to invite the relevant partners for a priority to its meeting.

73.

Dates of Next Meetings

·             Thursday 2 February 2017 (For call-in only)

·             Thursday 23 February 2017 (For call-in only)

·             Thursday 23 March 2017

Minutes:

·             Thursday 23 February 2017 (for call-in only)

·             Thursday 23 March 2017

 

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer confirmed that the meeting scheduled for 2 February 2017 would be cancelled as there had been no key decisions discussed at Cabinet that could be called in for review.

 

rating button