Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 November 2020. The draft minutes can be viewed at: http://modgov.southsomerset.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=141&Year=0

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 November 2020 were approved as a correct record and would be signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nicola Clark and Paul Maxwell. Councillor Mike Hewitson was present as substitute for Councillor Nicola Clark.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest

There were no members of public present at the meeting.

This is an opportunity for Members to question the progress on issues arising from previous meetings.  However, this does not allow for the re-opening of a debate on any item not forming part of this agenda.

There were no issues raised from previous meetings.

The Chairman provided two updates:

·         He and the Specialist (Scrutiny & Member Development) would be attending each Area Committee in the new year to give a short presentation about the role of Scrutiny and to seek comments about Scrutiny work planning.

·         He and several other members had recently attended a webinar by the LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) regarding questioning skills as a refresher. It was noted the webinar was being repeated in January if anyone else was interested.

There were no updates for reports considered by District Executive at the November meeting.

Members considered the reports within the District Executive agenda for 3 December 2020 and raised comments as detailed below. Responses to most questions and comments were provided at Scrutiny Committee by the relevant officers or Portfolio Holder – except those marked by an asterisk:

Stronger Somerset Final Proposal (Agenda Item 6)

·      Members sought reassurance that the delegation for making minor amendments would only be for typos etc within the document.

·      Some members sought clarity about the proposals for childrens services, adult social care and highways regarding responsibilities and delivery across the two proposed authorities.

·      *Regarding the recent Ipsos MORI survey – a member queried if there had been any difference in responses for the proposed east / west authority areas?

2021/22 Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan Update (Agenda Item 7)

·      Table 2 on page 14 – the lines for Collection Fund Deficits for Business Rates and Council Tax show zero for years 2022 and beyond – members asked if an explanation could be provided as to why the figures were zero for future years.

·      Table 1 on page 13 and table 2 on page 14 – a member queried some figures as some didn’t appear to add up exactly (some by only a £1000), and hence sought clarification that the reason was due to rounding up of figures in a more detailed spreadsheet that had been summarised for this report?

·      It was noted that the Council Tax figure in table 1 on page 13 for 2021/22 was 9813, but in table 2 on page 14 for the same year was given as 10,499 – a member queried the reason for the difference in figures.

·      Business Rates Retention – members asked for a very simple explanation as why the figure was reducing.

·      Members noted that the bullet point numbering in the report had been duplicated in several places (for correction in future reports).

Update Report on the Impact of Covid-19 on the Council (Agenda Item 8)

·      No comments.

Planning Reimagined – Outcomes from Members Working Group (Agenda Item 9)

·      Members, particularly those involved with the working group, wished to thank officers for their work and efforts with the working group.

·      Members, suggested a brief update to Scrutiny Committee in about four months time would be useful.

Investment Assets Update Report (Agenda Item 10)

·      No questions were raised, but some members expressed concern about the retail investment properties given the current economic status and recent collapse of some major high street names.

South Somerset Families Programme – Supporting Families and Improving Life Chances – Project Update (Agenda Item 11)

·      No comments.

The Future Management of the Council’s Leisure Facilities (Agenda Item 12)

·      Members did not raise any questions specifically relating to the report but some comments were raised about community facilities, which the Specialist (Strategic Planning) responded to at the meeting.

Annual Review of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) (Agenda Item 13)

·      No comments.

Property Purchase of Yeovil Town Football Club Ground (Agenda Item 14)

·      Mixed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 204.

The Specialist (Scrutiny & Member Development) provided a brief verbal update on the progress of work of Task and Finish groups, including:

Council Tax Support – the report is being finalised and due to go to District Executive in January. A workshop for Scrutiny members was organised for 8 December to make comments on the draft report prior to formal consideration at Scrutiny Committee for endorsement to District Executive.

Productivity Analysis – meeting due to take place shortly.

Environment and Climate Strategies - an informal meeting due shortly to discuss how a Task and Finish group could become involved next year with the district Environment Strategy and the countywide climate strategy.

There were no updates on matters of interest.

The Specialist (Scrutiny & Member Development) advised there was little change to the work programme and it would be reviewed in the coming months following visits planned to each Area Committee as mentioned at Chairman’s Announcements.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for 10.30am on Tuesday 5 January 2021, and likely to be held as a virtual meeting using Zoom.