Agenda item

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review the outstanding actions and questions from previous meetings.

The Scrutiny Committee received a list of outstanding actions and questions.  Members noted the updates. 

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer advised that the Culture and Play Section Head had provided an update on the requested information about the Big Skate.  Unfortunately it had been received after the publication of the agenda.  She would ensure it was circulated to the Scrutiny Committee.

CS4 – Number of households in temporary accommodation

Councillor Martins noted the responses to the three questions from the November 2015 meeting.  He considered there was a potential for an increase in homelessness.  He asked how this would be monitored.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head responded that the last few years had been very difficult with regards to this matter.  The Interim Housing Section Head had worked to address the matter of temporary accommodation and had sought more permanent solutions.  Officers had been working on two or three initiatives to support the supply of accommodation.  This was not a matter that could easily be solved or quick resolutions found.  The new Housing Section Head was due to start very shortly.  He had previously worked at Coventry City Council and had good experience.

Councillor S Williams questioned when the homeless strategy had been introduced and whether it would be possible to do a review part way through the strategy’s life.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head believed that the 2015-2020 strategy had been agreed in December 2014.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer informed the Scrutiny Committee that she would be arranging a meeting with the Head of Community and Customer Services to discuss potential topics for next year’s work programme.  She would raise the Councillor’s suggestion with the Head of Service.

Councillor Joynes commented that due to changes to benefits and benefit support some people would be unable to afford their rent.  She questioned what would happen to these people.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head advised that Discretionary Housing Payments could be applied for in those cases where the resident was unable to pay any outstanding rent once their housing benefit had been assessed.

Councillor S Williams suggested it might be an idea to scrutinise Watford Community Housing Trust and the rents it charged to its tenants.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer explained that the Council was able to scrutinise external organisations where they had an impact on residents.  However any recommendations from a Task Group could only be suggestions to an external organisation.  Scrutiny did not have the power to require an organisation to take any action.  Previously a Task Group had been set up to scrutinise the Housing Trust and its repairs procedures.  The Housing Trust had worked with the Task Group and provided information as requested.  They had also visited Overview and Scrutiny Committee and provided updates on the implementation of the recommendations, where it was possible to do so.

ED 8 Release of covenant for land at Leggatts Campus

Councillor Khan commented that he had not heard whether he would be allowed to view the report supporting the decision on the release of covenant for land at Leggatts Campus. 

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer explained that she had forwarded the Councillor’s written request, setting out his ‘need to know’ to the Legal and Democratic Section Head and was waiting for a response.

RESOLVED –

that the update be noted.