Agenda and minutes

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2019 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

18 September 2019

Housing Options Restructure

The confidential report is included at agenda item 12.

            RECOMMENDED to the Policy and Performance Committee that:

1. The new Housing Options Team structure, including the posts of Housing Options Manager, Housing Options Officer and Domestic Abuse and Private Sector Coordinator be approved. 

2. The deletion of the existing posts be approved.

18 September 2019

Housing Options Restructure

It was confirmed that the Housing Options Restructure should be discussed at this Policy and Performance Committee due to the fact it was scheduled prior to the next Housing Committee, as per the constitution.

 RESOLVED that the Housing Options Team structure, including the posts of Housing Options Manager, Housing Options Officer and Domestic Abuse and Private Sector Coordinator be approved with the deletion of the existing posts.

To update members on progress on The Square Phase 2 in Beeston and to recommend continued delegation of key approvals to the Deputy Chief Executive.

    Members received an update on progress made with regard to The Square  Phase 2 in Beeston. It was noted that the Christmas 2020 opening was on target.  Contracts had been exchanged with The Arc cinema and the overall project was  proceeding well. The Committee was informed by the Deputy Chief Executive that the item would be discussed in more depth later in the agenda as there were exempt items to be considered.

RESOLVED to continue to delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive all key approvals, in consultation with the cross-party Project Board, and subject to the overall project cost remaining within the financial limits already set or subsequently changed by the Finance and Resources Committee and/or Full Council as appropriate.

To approve the Customer Services Strategy 2019 to 2021.

The Customer Services Strategy 2019-2021 detailed the actions that would be taken to develop Customer Services throughout the Council. The whole Council would be required to embrace the strategy. The committee noted the Strategy but queried the impact of the Digital Strategy. It was confirmed that adaptions would be made for customers needing it.

It was proposed and seconded that an amendment to the strategy be made.

RESOLVED to accept the amendment and carry out an Equality Impact Assessment.

To consider asking the LGA to undertake a peer review of Broxtowe Borough Council.

        The report highlighted that the Council had not had a peer challenge for over five years. The Local Government Association manage the sector-led improvement reviews with an aim to generate external perspectives and insights.

RESOLVED to invite the LGA to conduct a peer challenge of Broxtowe Borough Council.

To gain Committee approval for Broxtowe Borough Council to act as lead authority in the procurement of a piece of vital evidence required on behalf of the Greater Nottingham Housing Market Area to progress the Aligned Core Strategy Review.

The report outlined how the Council would act as a lead authority in the procurement of a piece of vital evidence required on behalf of the Greater Nottingham Housing Market Area to progress the Aligned Core Strategy Review. Benefits would include maintaining control over development and maintaining partnership arrangements which would lead to financial benefits. Members discussed the importance of the report in regards to the Local Plan. It was suggested that roadshows should be held to involve communities and parish councils. It was noted that this report was the basis for policy - not policy in itself and all future decisions would come to either the Jobs and Economy Committee or Full Council.

RESOLVED that the Council act as lead authority on behalf of the Greater Nottingham Councils in the procurement of a Greater Nottingham Growth Options Study and the Section 151 Officer be given delegated authority to accept the tender and sign the tender contract on behalf of the Council once appointment is made.

To report progress against outcome targets linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives and to provide an update as to the latest financial performance as measured against the budget.

        The Committee noted the progress made in achieving the Corporate Plan priorities and received an update as to the latest financial performance as measured against the budget. Members acknowledged that town centres continued to pose a challenge and while some areas of the borough were performing well, other areas needed extra attention. Stapleford was one of the 100 towns, however, selected to bid for government money. The bid would be discussed at the Jobs and Economy Committee. It was agreed that the new Corporate Plan would have new performance indictors and new areas of focus.

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

Members discussed child poverty in the borough and queried how it was measured. It was noted that area action plans were crucial to tackling child poverty within parts of the borough and that child poverty was not solely based on financial circumstances but opportunity, skills and life chances. A pack was in progress for Councillors containing figures regarding each area.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

This item had been resolved in item 4.1

RESOLVED to continue to delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive issues regarding the contract negotiations.