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

Apologies were received from Councillor Saffery.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2019 to be submitted and signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2019 were submitted and signed.

The following scrutiny committees and task groups have met since the last meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

·      Finance Scrutiny Committee on 14 January 2020

·      Health Services for the Deaf Task Group on 21 January 2020

The scrutiny committee noted the minutes of the Finance Scrutiny Committee on 14 January 2020 and of the Health Services for the Deaf Task Group on 21 January 2020. 

Report of the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications

The scrutiny committee received the report of the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications setting out the results for the key performance indicators at the end of Quarter 3 2019/20.  Members reviewed the indicators, particularly those which were below target, noting the explanations and clarifications provided.

There followed a short discussion about the number of rough sleepers within the authority area.  Scrutiny members queried the process of providing someone with accommodation and the practicalities of furnishing that accommodation, including the storage and redistribution of donated household goods by the New Hope Trust.  The Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications agreed to research this further and provide members with an overview of the process.

In a brief review of the performance targets for ICT, it was explained that the Group Head of Transformation would be proposing some changes to the indicators for this service. 

RESOLVED –

that the key performance indicator results for Quarter 3 2019/20 be noted.

Action: Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications

Report of the Head of Revenues and Benefits

The committee received a presentation by the Head of Revenues and Benefits.  This provided an update on processing and collection rates for the service together with a review of changes brought in as part of the Watford 2020 transformation programme.  Copies of the presentation had been sent to the committee in advance of the meeting. 

During discussions, members considered the authority’s council tax reduction scheme which provided means tested support for residents on very low incomes.  This scheme was reviewed regularly and scrutiny members questioned whether it would be timely for a further review to be undertaken, possibly by a task and finish group.  In order to inform members’ understanding, the Head of Revenues and Benefits agreed to provide a comparison of similar schemes offered in other Hertfordshire authorities.

There followed a short discussion about the debt recovery process used when residents fell into arrears with their council tax payments.  Scrutiny members welcomed the council’s emphasis on interaction and engagement rather than on enforcement, although it was accepted that enforcement action would sometimes be needed.  Members requested a breakdown of the number of households by ward which had been referred to an enforcement agency in the past year.

RESOLVED –

that the presentation be noted.

Action: Head of Revenues and Benefits

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 2019/20 Executive Decision Progress Report.

RESOLVED –

that the 2019/20 Executive Decision Progress report be noted.

Councillor Grimston, the Council’s appointed representative to the County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee to provide an update on the last meeting on 14 January 2020.

It was noted that Councillor Grimston, the Council’s appointed representative to the County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, had circulated to Overview and Scrutiny Committee members a draft report of the recent work of the Herts Health Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair commented that she was monitoring closely plans for the future of Mount Vernon Hospital and would report any developments to scrutiny members.

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 updated draft of its work programme incorporating the suggestions from the previous meeting.  With a view to the 2020/21 work programme, members were asked to refer any proposals for future scrutiny review to the Senior Democratic Services Officer.

RESOLVED –

that the work programme be noted.

·           Thursday 27 February

·           Thursday 19 March

•           27 February 2020

•           19 March 2020