Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barnes and Dunkin.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

None.

Report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, updating members on the current level of assurance that can be provided against each corporate risk and to allow the committee to ask questions of the report.

Members discussed the recent announcement of VAT refunds for leisure activities and queried whether the funds will go back to the customer or kept by the council and if so, what the monies would be spent on.

The Chief Executive explained that it was being looked into and a definitive decision had not been reached but that it would be communicated with Members at the earliest opportunity.

Members raised queries surrounding the provisions for outdoor workers such as PPE and the facilities available for female employees.

The Chief Executive confirmed that this was something that would be looked into and where possible improved, noting that measures for Health and Safety would be prioritised.

Members asked for clarification on the equality review and asked whether this was on track to be completed.

The Chief Executive explained that the review is progressing well but informed members that some actions were still outstanding.

Members discussed the risk register and queried whether the council had targets in place for risks.

The Chief Executive explained that there were targets and these would be included when reporting against risks going forward.

RESOLVED:

To note the information.

Report of the Senior Leadership Team

The Chief Executive introduced a report of the Senior Leadership Team, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members of the position against improvement actions and performance indicators in the 2022/23 Gedling Plan at the end of quarter 4 and year end.

Members discussed waste management and recycling and queried details of the Veolia contract, such as when it would be up for renewal and whether Gedling and other District Councils can influence the contract.

The Chief Executive informed members that the contract was not up for renewal for many years and noted that Gedling Borough Council would have limited, if any influence on the contract as it was the decision of Nottinghamshire County Council.

During the discussion around recycling, members noted it was hard to navigate what items could and couldn’t be recycled and asked whether the council can offer residents some further information on this.

It was noted that recycling information was advertised in the Contacts magazine on a regular basis but that additional adverts could be looked into.

Members raised concerns surrounding the current waiting time for council housing, how many people were currently in temporary housing accommodation and what facilities were used to facilitate their accommodation.

The Chief Executive confirmed that temporary housing was an issue for all councils at this time and that performance indicators would reflect this. He noted that the council tracked key statistics relating to temporary accommodation for each family and that these were kept under review. It was confirmed that there was a shortage of available accommodation so that why bed and breakfasts were used by most authorities and why wait times were especially long for large families as large homes were less available.

Members requested that statistics for the councils housing waiting lists can be circulated to them, to which the Chief Executive agreed.

It was then agreed to make this subject an item of focus, inviting an officer to offer more information at a future committee. Members also asked for more detailed reporting of performance indicators to include details of when indicators were below target, the reasons for this and when targets would be met or revised.

Members questioned whether the complaints process was accessible and offered ease of use to residents or if this was considered as a reason for the reduction in complaints. They also queried whether the council monitored the diversity of the residents submitting complaints to inform their policy and its reach.

The Chief Executive confirmed he would ask that the process be reviewed to assess ease of use but did confirm that it was monitored in terms of equality.

RESOLVED:

To note the information.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

The Democratic Services Manager introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, providing an update on the scrutiny work programme which has been drafted in consultation with the chair, vice chair and committee. It was noted that the Committee would need to review the draft work programme and identify their key priorities and any further areas for examination for the 2023/24 year.

Members discussed the proposed plan and confirmed they would also like to add some items, including reports on the council’s equality action plan, the current state of the housing lists and policy. They also expressed their wishes to start a working group to scrutinise previous funding bids and what could be done to inform and improve future ones.

RESOLVED to:

Note the current work programme, adding items as discussed.

None.