Agenda item

This report sets out an update of the actions which arose at the meeting on 23 June 2011.

The Scrutiny Committee received an update on the actions and questions from the previous meeting.  Members noted the actions and responses to the questions.  The Committee and Scrutiny Officer apologised for the erratic numbering within the document.

3 and 4 – Fly tipping

The Chair noted the Head of Environmental Services’ response to the questions regarding the increase in fly tipping.  He did not feel there was sufficient evidence to warrant further investigation at the current time.

A Member commented that there was anecdotal evidence from residents in his ward, Central, that the situation was bad.

The Chair advised that the situation would be monitored through the regular performance reports received by the Scrutiny Committee.

6 and 7 – Communal recycling and new green bins

The Chair suggested that this should be reviewed further at the Scrutiny Committee’s November meeting.

A Member noted that the new green bins did not allow residents to put green cuttings into them as the slits were too small.

8 – Town Centre recycling bins

The Chair suggested that this should be further reviewed at the November meeting.

10 – Sickness absence

A report prepared by the Head of Human Resources had been circulated prior to the meeting.

A Member suggested that information regarding long term sickness should be highlighted in the performance report.  The Chair suggested that further explanation was required regarding the absence incidents and how the percentage was calculated.

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer.

A Member noted the reduction in sickness levels and said that he was concerned that staff felt pressurised to attend work even when they were sick in case this affected them losing their job. 

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer explained the procedure to be followed when an employee fell ill and the reporting mechanism with First Care.

The Vice-Chair asked if Unison could be asked for their view about sickness levels and any implications for staff.

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer.

12 – Revenues and Benefits’ Shared Services report

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer asked whether the Scrutiny Committee would require copies of the Revenues and Benefits report to the Three Rivers and Watford Shared Services Joint Committee each time they were published.

It was agreed that the reports would be circulated to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

15 – SLM statistics

The Vice-Chair referred to comments raised during the debate at Council the previous week about the petition regarding women’s swimming sessions.  During 2010/11 SLM had been invited to Call-in and Performance Scrutiny Committee to discuss the leisure centres and the service provided.  He asked that a written explanation was sought from the company regarding the complaints about staff attitude and the issue of men being present in the changing area when it should be for the exclusive use of the female swimmers and children.

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer

16 – Affordable housing provision

The Chair asked the Committee and Scrutiny Officer to liaise with the Housing Section Head enquiring when the outcome of the funding bids approved by the Homes and Communities Agency would be known.

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer.

20 – Mayor’s Community Fund

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer informed the Scrutiny Committee that she had received a response from Community Services but had asked for further clarification as it was still not clear whether an application would be accepted from Ward Councillors.  She explained that the Grant Officer had advised that an individual would not be able to submit an application and that a group or organisation should complete the application form.

The Vice-Chair commented that there were occasions when there was not a particular group involved in a Neighbourhood forum Project.

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer to seek further clarification

It was noted that the remaining actions were covered in other reports on the agenda.