There were no apologies for absence.

There were no disclosures of interests.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2017 to be submitted and signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2017 were submitted and signed.

To consider any executive decisions which have been called in by the requisite number of councillors.

It was noted that no executive decisions had been called in.

Report of the Leisure and Community Section Head

There will be a presentation from the operator of the West Watford Community Association.

The Chair advised that she had decided to move this item forward on the agenda to allow the external guests to leave after their item if they wished.

The Leisure and Community Section Head informed the scrutiny committee thatWest Watford Community Association received £11,000 in kind; this covered the rent to the council for the hire of the premises.  In addition they received £23,000 as part of the Commissioning Framework.

The Leisure and Community Section Head advised that the framework was half way through its three-year cycle.  In November the scrutiny committee would receive the end of Year 1 report.

West Watford Community Association

The Chair welcomed Vanessa Levy and Maureen Miller to the meeting.

The representatives gave a presentation about West Watford Community Association.  Maureen Miller, the Chair of the Trustees, informed the councillors that the association had been serving the community since 1973.  It was located on the corner of Harwoods Road and Holywell Road.  It aimed to be accessible to all sections of the local community.  Three staff were employed, which included Vanessa Levy, the Centre Co-ordinator.  She advised that the association ‘grew’ its own staff.  The two Centre Development Workers had previously been volunteers at the centre.  They had a large group of volunteers.

Maureen Miller advised that the association had a Business Plan, which was regularly reviewed and updated.  The association had recently signed a new 59-year lease with the council.  The premises had limitations but the staff and volunteers sought ways to overcome them.

Vanessa Levy agreed that the size of the premises was one of the association’s biggest problems.  She explained that the yoga class had to be limited to a maximum of eight participants due to the size of the room.  However being small meant that anyone coming in was not ignored.

Maureen Miller advised that staff and trustees listened to its users and ensured it had the activities they wanted.  She said that Vanessa worked very hard and was there much longer than the 32 hours she was required to work.  The income the association received provided the services available to the community.  The accounts showed a reserve held sufficient to cover a year’s wages.  Everyone was grateful for the grant received from the council.

Vanessa Levy added that the association had a total budget of £60,000.  It valued and needed the support from the council.

Maureen Miller explained that the centre had decided to review its carbon footprint and recognised that it needed to recycle.  This had cost implications for the association; following negotiations with the recycling company they had agreed to a more reasonable collection time period.  The trustees and staff were very mindful of how the money was spent.

Vanessa Levy highlighted some of the activities which took place at the centre.  There was a busy timetable which was delivered directly by the association.  It recruited tutors and many activities were provided by volunteers.  There was a newsletter, ‘West Watch’, produced twice a year and circulated to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Presentation by the Transport and Infrastructure Section Head following a request by the scrutiny committee at its meeting in June 2017

The Transport and Infrastructure Section Head drew the scrutiny committee’s attention to the briefing paper he had circulated prior to the meeting.  The paper outlined the background to the Public Realm enhancement scheme and its relationship to the original Task Group recommendations.  Four of the original recommendations had been incorporated into the enhancement scheme; others would be taken forward separately and three schemes could not be taken forward for various reasons. 

The Transport and Infrastructure Section Head informed the scrutiny committee that as part of the enhancement scheme a new taxi rank would be created in Wellstones.  It would utilise electronic sensors indicating to users in the High Street that vehicles were available for hire.  There would be improved lighting and CCTV for the passage from the High Street to Wellstones.  There would also be improved opportunities for taxis in Church Street.  The Transport and Infrastructure Section Head circulated some of the proposed plans for the scheme.

The scrutiny committee discussed the officer’s presentation.  Some councillors were concerned that the new taxi rank in Wellstones would be located away from potential customers.  They felt the taxis needed to be located on the High Street.

In response to a question about the number of ranks in the borough, the Transport and Infrastructure Section Head advised that this was a licensing matter and he would ask the licensing team to provide councillors with that information.  He stated that as part of the new Intu development, a taxi ‘call-in’ service would be provided.  This would enable taxi drivers to drive in to Intu and pick up their fare.  As long as they had left within 10 minutes there would be no charge.

The Transport and Infrastructure Section Head informed the scrutiny committee that following the completion of the Intu development it was expected there would be an increase in footfall in the High Street.  The aim of the enhancement scheme was to eliminate some of the vehicles.  Currently there were over 1,000 vehicle movements a day between Clarendon Road and Market Street.  It was proposed to reduce this to 250 a day.  Some buses would be re-routed to avoid the High Street.  The road between Clarendon Road and Market Street would be narrowed; pavements would be widened and rising bollards would be installed at the entrance to the High Street.  The High Street would become the largest on-street shopping centre in the country.  The aim was to make it family friendly.  The number of taxi rank spaces had doubled from the original task group recommendations.  The proposals had been discussed with the county council who was happy with the scheme.  He advised councillors that none of the original task group recommendations added taxi rank spaces on the High Street.

The Transport and Infrastructure Section Head reported that a consultation about the proposed enhancement scheme had been carried out.  The results were being compiled by the consultant.  The scheme had been agreed in principle by Cabinet.  The enhancement scheme would remove the four spaces  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Report of the Leisure and Community Section Head

This report provides the scrutiny committee with a review of the Small Grants Fund for 2016-2017.

The scrutiny committee received a report of the Leisure and Community Section Head which included the annual review of the Small Grants Fund for 2016-2017.

The Commissioning Officer informed councillors that in paragraph 3.3 of the report, the survey conducted in 2016/17 was for the period 2015/16 and the survey carried out in 2017/18 was regarding the 2016/17 financial year.  She advised that in response to suggestions about an online form, officers were in the process of testing a new online application form.  The team had worked with Watford and Three Rivers Trust who supported the non-constituted groups.  She stated that questions would be added to the application form requesting equalities information.

It was noted that a number of applications from 2016/17 had been deferred to 2017/18, due to the budget being spent.  Some councillors expressed their concern that the budget would run out early.  They questioned whether the scrutiny committee could recommend that the small grants budget should be increased.  It was suggested that the funding could be taken from the council’s reserves. 

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer explained that the budget holder was responsible for their budget.  As part of the budget process they needed to consider where they could make savings and if they needed to ask for an increase in budgets, known as growth bids.  The growth bids were considered by the Head of Service, Leadership Team, Portfolio Holders, then Cabinet and Council would make the final decision.

The Leisure and Community Section Head advised that he would discuss the matter with his Head of Service and Portfolio Holder. 

The vice-chair suggested that officers may wish to consider reducing the maximum amount that could be applied for by organisations.

It was noted that Budget Panel had the ability to consider the council’s proposed budget and could make recommendations to Cabinet.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.

Report of the Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications

The scrutiny committee received a report of the Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications setting out the end of Quarter 1 results for the council’s key performance indicators.

The Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications advised that the general election in June had made an impact on the Customer Service Centre’s service levels.  She explained that the service had not provided any responses to indicators 6 and 7.  The team was hoping to procure a new software system, which would be a major part of the Watford 2020 programme and would provide more timely and consistent information for reporting.

Following a question about indicator 8, the Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications informed the scrutiny committee that Heads of Service had been charged with making sure that complaints were responded to promptly.

In response to a question about the cost of bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless households, the Deputy Managing Director advised that officers were very aware of costs.  They negotiated with owners and providers of temporary accommodation.  The Housing Policy Advisory Group had been provided with a breakdown of the types of properties used to accommodate homeless households.  The team had worked hard to reduce costs.  The intent was to make more temporary accommodation available.  Officers tried to ensure that households were kept as local to Watford as possible.  At least one officer was regularly looking at increasing the accommodation. 

RESOLVED –

that the key performance indicator results for Quarter 1 2017/18 be noted.

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

The Scrutiny Committee received the latest edition of the Executive Decision Progress Report for 2017/18.  The Committee and Scrutiny Officer provided an update as the Cabinet meeting due to be held in October had been cancelled.  This meant that the report about Cassiobury Park car park would be presented in November for consideration.

RESOLVED –

that the updated report be noted.

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

Councillor Hastrick provided an update on the county council’s Health Scrutiny Committee.  She gave an update on the situation with Nascot Lawn.

Report of the Committee and Scrutiny Officer

This report provides the scrutiny proposal submitted by Councillor Jeffree following the decision at Council in July 2017.

The scrutiny committee received a report of the Committee and Scrutiny Officer which included the scrutiny proposal form completed by Councillor Jeffree and also discussed with Councillor Bell.

The Chair invited Councillor Jeffree to speak about the proposed scrutiny.

Councillor Jeffree informed the scrutiny committee that currently there were two ongoing inquiries.  The Grenfell Inquiry was due to provide an interim report next Easter and the review of Building Regulations was due to report in the Spring.  He suggested that it may be too early to start the proposed scrutiny task group during the current municipal year. 

Following a question about the possibility of carrying out part of the review immediately, Councillor Jeffree felt that this may not be necessary.  Councillors had been provided with information about the council’s emergency plan procedures and how it worked closely with the county council.  He suggested that councillors could be given a presentation by the Facilities and Resilience Manager and the Facilities Management Buildings and Projects Section Head.  He hoped this would give councillors the confidence in the council’s plans.

It was suggested that if the presentation was to take place, the scrutiny committee could then make an informed decision as to whether the task group needed to go ahead to review that aspect of the proposal.  The presentation should be open to all councillors and not just those on Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair proposed that a councillors’ briefing be arranged to enable them to hear about the council’s emergency planning arrangements.  Following the presentation an item would be added to the next agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider whether a task group needed to be set up to review this specific area.

RESOLVED –

1.      that an all-councillors’ briefing session be arranged to hear about the council’s emergency planning arrangements.

2.      that following the presentation an item be included on the next agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss the presentation and to consider whether a task group needs to be set up.

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

·             Wednesday 13 September 2017

The minutes are available on the council’s website.

The Chair of Budget Panel to provide an update to the scrutiny committee.

Councillor Asif Khan, chair of Budget Panel, advised that the panel had met on 13 September 2017.  Councillors had reviewed the Quarter 1 Finance Digest and were informed about the budget setting process.

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

·             Monday 25 September 2017

The minutes are available on the council’s website.

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

Councillor Williams, chair of Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel, informed the scrutiny committee that the panel had met on 25 September 2017.  The meeting had been held at Watford Leisure Centre Woodside.  SLM representatives had presented their annual report.  The panel had also reviewed the Quarter 1 Performance report.

Since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Community Safety Task Group has met on the following occasions –

·             Thursday 27 July 2017

·             Monday 4 September 2017

The minutes are available on the council’s website.

The scrutiny committee to be provided with an update by the chair of the Community Safety Partnership Task Group.

Councillor Grimston, chair of the Community Safety Partnership Task Group, advised that the task group had met on 27 July and 4 September 2017.  She outlined the proposed programme for the next meeting.

The chair or Committee and Scrutiny Officer to provide an update on the progress of the task group.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer stated that the task group had met on 22 September.  Councillor Mauthoor had been elected as chair.  The task group had been given several documents to review and links to radio programmes about tackling loneliness had been circulated.  Councillors Mauthoor and Cavinder would be attending a seminar organised by the Public Policy Exchange about the subject.  The task group was likely to be holding an all-day session to hear from relevant groups and organisations.  The task group had been informed that it would need to provide its final report to Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2018, prior to any recommendations being considered by the Executive in February.

The scrutiny committee is asked to review the current version of the work programme and consider any additional areas councillors wish to scrutinise.

The scrutiny committee received the draft work programme for 2017/18.  It had been updated following the last meeting. 

RESOLVED –

that the work programme be noted.

·             Thursday 26 October 2017 (For call-in only)

·             Thursday 23 November 2017

·             Wednesday 20 December 2017 (For call-in only)

·       Thursday 26 October 2017 (for call-in only)

·       Thursday 23 November 2017

·       Wednesday 20 December 2017 (for call-in only)