Agenda item

The document sets out the update on the outstanding actions which arose at previous meetings.

The Scrutiny Committee received an update incorporating the outstanding actions and questions raised at previous meetings.  Responses were included within the document or circulated at the meeting.

PI11 – Watford Leisure Centre Central

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer informed the Scrutiny Committee that the Community Services Section Head and the Portfolio Holder had met the petitioner to discuss the problems highlighted at the Council meeting on 20 July 2011.  The following actions had been taken –

·               A Key Worker had been attached to the swimming session, Sean Mitchell the General Manager

·               Swimming lessons had finished and all facilities were now available to the swimmers

·               Numbers in pool – SLM had reported that bathing loads (100) had not been exceeded.  On two occasions there had been 75 people present.  The average attendance was 45.

·               Congestion at the till had been eased by the introduction of a faster booking in procedure.

·               Staff vigilance had been stepped up regarding men in the changing area during the women-only session.

·               Four lifeguards would be undertaking equalities training.

The Chair was pleased that the petitioner’s comments had been taken seriously.  The Vice-Chair asked that all Councillors were informed of the response.

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer

PI12 – Funding bids approval by the Homes and Communities Agency

The Scrutiny Committee noted the Housing Section Head’s response set out in the update.  The Chair asked for a further update at the November meeting.

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer / Housing Section Head

VS2 – Mayor’s Community Fund

The Vice-Chair advised that his local community had identified a problem with the procedures for the Mayor’s Community Fund.  He said that he would inform Members of the outcome.

ACTION: Vice Chair at the next meeting.

AHR5 – Procedures for monitoring private sector housing

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer circulated the responses to the questions submitted following the previous meeting and attached as Appendix A to these minutes.

FP1 – Section 106 Funding

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer provided the Scrutiny Committee with a copy of the Capital Programme 2010/11-2014/15 which included details of the Section 106 funded schemes and the funding availability for new schemes.  She informed Members that a report regarding the use of Section 106 monies was to be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on Monday 26 September.  A copy of the report would be circulated to the Scrutiny Committee. 

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer

The Chair noted the available balance set out in the Capital Programme.

The Portfolio Holder informed the Scrutiny Committee that approximately 18 months ago officers had checked the due dates on the outstanding monies.  It had been noted that the Council would not have to hand any of the monies back to developers.  Some of the funding had been earmarked for projects, for example stations on the Croxley Rail Link route.  He suggested that at the current spending rate the amount would be depleted in two years.  The Council needed to review which schemes it wanted to fund.  The Cabinet report was part of the budget process.

The Chair noted that it was within the Executive’s remit where the capital funding was spent.  He asked what consultation had taken place.

The Portfolio Holder responded that there were two factors which influenced where the Section 106 monies were spent.  The first was if it had been specified within the original agreement.  The second was to work within the corporate priorities relating to play and open space.  The outcome of the play review had influenced suggested schemes.  He encouraged Members to contact officers if they wished to put forward a scheme for funding from the Section 106 monies.

A Member said that it was important that Councillors could see what was being spent.  He noted that the Asset management Group had put forward schemes which Cabinet would then consider.

The Vice-Chair suggested that an additional column needed to be included which set out the date the funding expired.

The Portfolio Holder referred to the Section 106 report presented to Hertfordshire Highways Watford Joint Member Panel.  This format included the amount still available for individual schemes.  He suggested the Scrutiny Committee could request this information.

ACTION : Committee and Scrutiny Officer

PSL1 – Property Policy Review Scope

The Chair informed the Scrutiny Committee that he had contacted the Managing Director advising the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would like to look at a specific element of the current Property Review, namely the voluntary sector leases.  Members wanted to ensure the policy was sensibly applied.  The original suggestion put forward at a previous meeting would be put on hold whilst the Property Services’ review was being carried out.  He had advised the Managing Director that the Scrutiny Committee was keen to be involved in the review.  The Committee and Scrutiny Officer would seek an update from the Managing Director on this offer.

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer