01 06 2006

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were received on behalf of Councillors Allen, Clinton and Davies.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meetings held on 23 March 2006 and 18 May 2006 be approved and signed by the Chairman as true and correct records.

It was reported that the Borough Solicitor had not received any requests for matters to be scrutinized.

With regard to the issue of scrutiny of the waste collection service in the Borough, together with any associated aspects and problems, the Borough Solicitor confirmed that this item had been parked, pending the complete roll-out of the recycling programme in the Borough. Democratic Services would be requested to investigate the current status of this matter and inform Members of the Committee accordingly.

RESOLVED: That the Democratic Services Officer would confirm the status of the request for scrutiny of the waste collection service in the Borough.

Members gave consideration to issues suggested for scrutiny during the Municipal Year 2006-2007.

It was suggested that consideration be given to the whole ethos for turning around void properties in the Borough, not merely turnaround times but also to include information about the processes undertaken by the Council’s Housing Partners.

The Borough Solicitor reminded Members that there was a Best Value Performance Indicator in place to monitor this process. She suggested that she would formulate terms of reference for a Working Group to consider the void housing process and each political party would be invited to nominate a Member to sit on the Working Group on a 1:1:1 basis.

Members questioned the progress of the scrutiny of the promotion of Tourism in the Borough. The Borough Solicitor advised that this matter was being considered by the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Members gave consideration to scrutinizing the problems caused by litter and fly tipping in the Borough. However, officers advised that a report was to be presented to the Community and Environment Board on the implementation of the new Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 at its meeting on 12 June 2006 and that further consideration could be given to this subject when the effects of the new legislation were known. A copy of the Guidance relating to the Act would be placed in the Members room.

A Member questioned why the Anti Social Behaviour Sub Committee had been abolished and expressed a desire for its reinstatement. The Borough Solicitor suggested that the Terms of Reference of the previous Sub Committee could be reviewed. It was considered appropriate that a Working Group be established with membership on a 1:1:1 political party basis.

 

 

Members considered that it would be advantageous if the newly appointed Head of Community Safety could be invited to the meetings of the Working Group to report on measures being taken in the Borough to combat anti social behaviour. The Deputy Chief Executive, as a representative on the Community Safety Partnership, would also be invited to the meetings.

 

 

The Committee discussed the perceived inefficient use of resources in combating weeds in areas, for example car parks and where adjoining parcels of land were in public and private ownership. Members also commented on the staffing resources and performance of the Council’s contractors. It was suggested that Members consult their Groups with regard to grounds maintenance issues and refer comments to the Chairman of the Community and Environment Board.

 

 

RESOLVED That:

 

 

(a)

A Working Group be established to investigate the whole process of turning around void properties in the Borough, including those processes employed by Gosport Borough Council’s Housing Partners and that the Borough Solicitor be requested to draft Terms of Reference.

 

 

(b)

Group Leaders be invited to nominate a Member for the Working Group referred to in (a) above.

 

 

(c)

It be noted that the promotion of Tourism in the Borough was being considered by the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

 

(d)

An Anti Social Behaviour Working Group be established comprising Councillors Redrup, Carr and Ward and that the Terms of Reference of the previous Sub Committee be reviewed.