Agenda item

Members were updated as follows on the progress of the Task and Finish Groups currently underway:

Council Tax Reduction Review 2017

The Scrutiny Manager explained that the Task and Finish group met on 14th July.  Members agreed what should be included in the consultation and discussed how best to encourage a good representation of the community and representatives of those who may be considered vulnerable to participate.

Discretionary Housing Payments

This Scrutiny Manager explained the next meeting is scheduled for 16^th September and that the previous meeting had been attended by a senior Shelter representative. Members had had a very good discussion about what constitutes ‘reasonable living expenses’ and the group would now be working to devise an appropriate SSDC policy to reflect this information. Any relevant evidence gathered by this Task and Finish Group will be shared with the Council Tax Reduction Task and Finish Group.

Consent to Dispose of Housing Stock / Local Connections Allocation Policy

A report is currently being prepared for consideration by the HomeFinder Somerset Board outlining members suggestions for ensuring sustainable local communities are supported through providing appropriate local housing for local people.

Further work is being done to fully understand the impact of the decisions by the various Housing Providers to dispose of stock within South Somerset. The evidence gathered by the Task and Finish Group to date indicates that South Somerset has very limited ability to influence their decisions so the focus of the group is now on ensuring the risk of such disposals is fully understood and reflected in SSDC policies and procedures. A further meeting will be held in September to progress this.

NNDR

Whilst the Council Tax support work will cease during the consultation period, the revenues staff will be able to work with members throughout September to review the NNDR discretionary relief policy, an invitation will go out shortly to all members.

Community Council for Somerset

The Scrutiny Manager explained Keeley Rudd the Chief Executive Officer from the Community Council for Somerset (CCS) is coming to meet with members on Monday 8^th Augustto identify if, and how, CCS and SSDC could work better together to achieve more and better outcomes for the community.

Street Trading

The Scrutiny Manager informed members that this work was a continuation of the work of the previous Licensing fees and charges Task and Finish group and would be focusing on refreshing the Council’s policies and procedures in relation to Street Trading. The first meeting is scheduled to take place on 28^th September at 10am.

Councillors Jason Baker, Neil Bloomfield, Val Keitch and Rob Stickland indicated they wished to take part in this review.

Devolution

The Scrutiny Manager updated members on the Task and Finish Group that had been established at the request of the Leader (and subsequently agreed by Scrutiny Committee) with the aim of supporting members in understanding the implications of moving towards a Combined Authority.

Within the Strategic Alliance with Sedgemoor District Council, two of their elected members would be joining this review;

Cllr Mick Lerry, Leader of Labour Group

Cllr Kathy Pearce, Chair of Community Scrutiny

Cllrs John Clark and Sue Osborne will be the SSDC representatives on this Task and Finish Group. An initial meeting will be arranged for September.

Rural Services Access to Health Scrutiny Exercise

Following the agreement of members to participate in this national project a meeting has been arranged for 21^st September at the Deane House, Taunton. Somerset County Council are considering joining with SSDC, WSC and TDBC to carry out this review. The Chairman indicated that she would like to participate in this review and an invite would be sent out to all members seeking additional representatives.