Agenda and minutes

Councillor Susan Erbil welcomed everyone to the virtual meeting of Overview & Scrutiny Committee. Members of the Committee introduced themselves. Councillor Erbil said Councillor Achilleas Georgiou would chair the meeting for item 4 when the call-in would be considered, Councillor Boztas would substitute for her.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Greer and Councillor Elif Erbil. Councillor Stewart would be substituting for Councillor Greer and Councillor Aksanoglu would substitute for Councillor Elif Erbil.

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

Councillor Susan Erbil declared a non-pecuniary interest for the call-in item of the agenda. There were no other declarations of interest.

There was a brief discussion about the ability of a Scrutiny Committee member to be able to scrutinize a decision made by someone with whom they have a ‘close association’.  Jeremy Chambers clarified the position as set out in the Council’s Constitution

To receive the minutes of the meetings held on the

·         21 May 2020

·         28 May 2020 and

·         4 June 2020.

AGREED

The minutes of the meetings of 21 May 2020 and 28 May 2020 were Agreed.

The minutes of the meeting of the 4 June were agreed, with an amendment to include the following statement in respect of Schools re-opening –

That

a)    Governing bodies have the responsibility to decide on the re-opening of a school and

b)    as a Local Authority we have a duty of care to those who maintain schools and a duty of care to staff.

Matters Arising

Recording of committee meetings –

Advice on the recording of committee meetings was requested from the Director of Law and Governance - Jeremy Chambers.  He said the recording of meetings is feasible and possible he will check regulations and inform members accordingly.

Scrutiny Workstreams –

Following a question from Councillor Smith on the work undertaken by the scrutiny workstreams which had been cut short as a result of the pandemic, Jeremy Chambers said it would be for the new Scrutiny Panels to decide how to address the issues/actions raised by the workstreams.

It was thought the new Regeneration & Economic Development Scrutiny Panel would look at the work of the Meridian Water workstream and decide on how scrutiny of this important development should proceed.

Councillor Erbil suggested that members who had chaired workstreams may wish to forward their suggestions to the new Scrutiny Panel Chairs.

To review the decision taken at Cabinet on the 10 June 2020 as a result of the matter having been Called-in.

Councillor Georgiou chaired the meeting for this item.

The Committee had received a report from the Director of Law and Governance outlining details of a call-in received on the decision taken by Cabinet on the 10 June 2020 on ‘Trading Company Business Plans 2020-23’.

He said the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would consider the called-in decision and would decide to either refer the decision back to Cabinet for reconsideration, refer the matter to full Council, or confirm the original decision.

Councillor Georgiou invited Councillor Laban to give an outline of the reasons for call-in. Councillor Maguire as Cabinet Member for Finance & Procurement would answer the points raised.  It was noted that there would be further discussion to consider the part two item containing exempt information.

NOTED

Councillor Laban set out the reasons for calling in the decision:

1. The report mentioned that incomes had stayed at around the same level as before the pandemic. There was great uncertainty around Covid 19 and she said she was uncomfortable with the assumption taken that incomes would stay the same.  The ending of the furlough scheme, due to end in October 2020 meant there was a risk of a  rise in unemployment, incomes may then fall leading to a fall in rental income available to the trading company.
2. Re Energetik – the report states that in order to compensate for potential delays at Meridian Water, a number of potential developments would provide future customers for Energetik.  However, the schemes mentioned had not yet received planning permission and there were no other agreements in place, therefore the business plan could not assume that Energetik would get this business.
3. It could be said there is a conflict of interest with the Council as planning authority to approve the developments and, also as the main stakeholder in Energetik. The Council would have a commercial interest in the developments going ahead with no reduction in the number of units proposed.

Councillor Laban concluded that we do not know the economic impact of the furlough scheme coming to an end and we needed to reflect on whether the plans made are correct in the world we live in today. She requested that Councillors refer the report back to Cabinet to review the decision.

Councillor Maguire Cabinet Member for Finance & Procurement together with Joanne Drew (Director of Housing & Regeneration) and Will Wraxall (Shareholder & Commercial Partnerships Manager) provided information in support of the decision as follows:

1. Councillor Maguire suggested that Councillor Laban should have asked officers questions to obtain any further information needed as she appeared to have misunderstood the report.
2. The report acknowledges that the stability of income has been at least in part due to the furlough scheme and that the effects of the pandemic will remain for some time. Vulnerable tenants may be reliant on universal credit.  The furlough scheme has already been extended and there is a possibility it may be extended further.
3. Rents are set by Housing Gateway in line with Local Housing Allowance this ensures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To note the date of the next meeting Thursday 30 July 2020

Noted the date of future meeting as follows:

Virtual Meeting

Thursday 30 July 2020

The meeting ended at 7:35pm