Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 September 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 30 September 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carol Goodall and Paul Maxwell.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), 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. A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct.  A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9. In the interests of complete transparency, Members of the County Council, who are not also members of this committee, are encouraged to declare any interests they may have in any matters being discussed even though they may not be under any obligation to do so under any relevant code of conduct.

Councillor Dave Bulmer declared a personal interest in item 7, High Street Innovation Funding, as he was a representative for Chard on the Market Towns Investment Group.

There were no members of public 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.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

The Community Safety & Projects Officer and Principal Environmental Health Protection Officer gave a short presentation to bring members up to date with the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. They explained the changes and implications for South Somerset. Community Triggers and the new Community Protection Notices were highlighted, and it was explained that the powers were in as of late October, however there was still some preparation to do including changes to the Constitution and creation of notices etc. It was hoped there would be a consistent approach across the county, and that powers could be used if necessary from the new year.

Members noted a full report would be made to District Executive in the new year. During a brief discussion members voiced concern about the risks and costs associated with the community remedy, and associated investigations regarding complaints and allegations.

Members requested that an update report be made to Scrutiny Committee in 12 months time.

The Area Development Manager (South) introduced the Yeovil aspect of the report as shown in the agenda. With the aid of slides she highlighted to members work of the Yeovil Town Team and projects that had been completed, or were ongoing, that were supported by the High Street Innovation Funding including:

·         Yeovil Town Guide App

·         Loyalty Card

·         Yeovil Town Team Newsletter

·         Events such as Food Festival, Pretty Vacant Art Project, Fashion Festival, Vintage Markets and Super Saturday

·         Christmas Light Switch On and Love Yeovil at Christmas Campaign

·         Yeovil Crime Reduction and Pub Watch Team Intranet

·         Streetscene improvements throughout the town centre including Foundry House; Princes Street;, paving, seating and planters in Middle Street and High Street; and improvements to the Bus Station

During a brief discussion members noted it was pleasing to see that the Yeovil Town Team was working as a partnership, and noted Yeovil Town Centre was looking better than it had 5 to 10 years ago.

The Area Development Manager (West) introduced the Market Towns Investment Group (MTIG) aspect of the report as shown in the agenda, and explained that MTIG try to support the local focus. With the aid of photographs he gave some examples of projects delivered through the MTIG Portas Investment Programme including:

·         Somerton – improving car parking traffic flows and signage

·         Martock – Gazebos for the market

·         Langport – new market

·         Crewkerne – Theatre in shops

·         Castle Cary – more car parking spcaes

·         Chard – Pop up shops

In response to comments raised by members the Area Development Managers explained:

·         How projects were monitored and evaluated

·         Lots more projects were happening but the report only focussed on the HSIF funding aspect.

·         One of the ideas behind Sunday markets was to encourage shops to consider opening on Sundays

·         Wincanton market was not funded by SSDC

·         It was a learning curve and new ideas and events were trialed to see what worked.

·         The Market Towns app and Yeovil Town app were separate and not linked together.

Members thanked officers and Portfolio Holders for their reports.

The Chairman noted that the Scrutiny comments had been considered and were included in the District Executive minutes that had been circulated.

Members considered the reports outlined in the District Executive agenda for 6 November 2014. It was agreed that the following comments would be taken forward to District Executive for consideration:

Further Main Modifications to the South Somerset Local Plan (2006 – 2028) – item 6

·         Members noted that some major applications had gone to appeal, and we had stated we had a 5 year land supply – some members queried that if the Inspector allowed the appeals where it would leave us with regard to the Local Plan and 5 year land supply.

·         A member queried where we would be with the Local Plan if it was found that land claimed to be contaminated was found to be so.

·         It is suggested, for clarity, that the words ‘and statutory consultation’ are added to the end of recommendation 2.

·         Members noted the timetable for the next steps and future adoption of the Local Plan was very tight, especially in light of elections in May 2015.

Report of Joint Scrutiny Task and Finish Group – Broadband – item 7

·         Members noted the report had been considered and endorsed by Scrutiny at the October meeting.

Non Domestic Rates (NDR) – Discretionary Rate Relief Policy – item 8

·         Members were content that the report and recommendations reflected issues raised during the Task and Finish review.

Superfast Broadband Extension Programme – Interim Report on Option and Requirements – item 9

·         Scrutiny commented that whilst conducting the Broadband Scrutiny Task and Review, there had been resistance from the CDS to provide information which was fundamental in moving the project forward. It was queried how officers would obtain the necessary information.

·         With regard to the comment at the bottom of page 25, regarding priority to businesses, Scrutiny sought clarification that this would not be to the detriment of rural premises, including farms.

Adoption of Housing Strategy Implementation Plan – item 10

·         Scrutiny noted that the matter had been subject of a Task and Finish group. Members were content that the recommendations go forward.

Upgrade of E5 Financial System – item 11

·         Scrutiny did not raise any comments and were content that the recommendations go forward.

2014/15 Capital Budget Monitoring Report for the Quarter ending 30^th September 2014 – item 12

·         Scrutiny did not raise any comments.

2014/15 Revenue Budget Monitoring Report for the Quarter ending 30^th September 2014 – item 13

·         One member commented it would be useful to have an executive summary with the reports as it would be an easy way to see the overall financial position without having to drill down into the detailed reports.

·         At Scrutiny there was a brief discussion as to whether the format of financial reports and the possibility of linking to performance management could be the subject of a Task and Finish Review in the new year.

Wyndham Park Community Facilities – item 14

·         Members commented it was important that the scheme was progressed.

·         Scrutiny were content to support the recommendations going forward.

Draft proposals of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

The Scrutiny Manager updated members on the progress of current Task and Finish Reviews:

Civil Contingencies

No update

Somerset Strategic Housing Framework

The group had completed its work and a report regarding Adoption of the Housing Strategy Implementation Plan was included on the District Executive agenda for  November 2014.

Budget

The group were due to meet again that week and in a few weeks time. They would be reporting back to the January Scrutiny Committee meeting.

The Scrutiny Manager updated members that changes to the Library Service, particularly the mobile service, were being proposed by Somerset County Council.  She highlighted that the consultation period was currently open, with a questionnaire available online. Members were encouraged to complete the questionnaire and raise awareness in their parishes.

Members noted there were no updates to the Work Programme.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee would be held on Tuesday 2 December 2014 at 10.00am in the Main Committee Room, Brympton Way.