Agenda item

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

Council Tax Support Review 2017

The Scrutiny Manager explained that a consultation on the potential amendments to the Council Tax Support scheme was currently running and if members wished to refer people to it, it is accessible via the Councils home webpage.

The next meeting is scheduled for 23^rd September where members will be considering the consultation comments to date, external evidence, Council Tax arrears analysis, Risks and the Equalities Impact Assessment.

Discretionary Housing Payments

This Scrutiny Manager explained the next meeting is scheduled for 16^th September and would be primarily looking at the issue of rural isolation and the ensuing impacts on mental health.

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 disposes 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.

National Non-Domestic Rate Discretionary relief policy

The Scrutiny Manager explained that an invitation had been sent out to all members to participate and there is a meeting scheduled for Monday 12^th September to review:

·         If the scheme is proving to be fit for purpose.

·         If there are any unforeseen issues or consequences for SSDC, business, organisations charities etc.

·         If there have been any external changes which have an impact on the policy and should now be taken into account.

·         The process that applicants need to go through and the methods of administrating the policy.

·         The NNDR collection rates and arrears data in relation to the changes that have been introduced.

Community Council for Somerset (CCS)

The Task and Finish group met with Keeley Rudd the Chief Executive of CCS on 8^th August, the purpose of the meeting was to identify if SSDC and CCS could work more closely to achieve better outcomes for the community.

A presentation had been provided giving an overview of CCS, the role of the Village Agent and examples of work that have been carried out across South Somerset.

After discussion it was agreed that:

·         Communication across the organisations could be improved particularly when it came to identifying and helping those who are vulnerable.

·         There are a couple of area of overlap that may need to be further explored with the new Community Involvement Officer at CCS.

It was recognised that there would be a need for a data sharing protocol before the organisations may be able to establish systems to refer individuals or households for specific advice or assistance.

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 10.00 a.m.

The following members indicated that they wished to take part in this review:

Cllrs Martin Wale, Jason Baker, Neil Bloomfield, Val Keitch and Rob Stickland and Tony Lock.

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. Councillor Sue Steele indicated that she would like to participate in this review and an invite would be sent out to all members seeking additional representatives.