Issue - meetings

To consider and endorse specific targets set within the Council Plan 2017-23, plus national performance indicators

That the comments made by the Committee be collated and feedback provided to Cabinet.

The Chief Officer presented the report and provided background information.   She referred to the main considerations, as detailed in the report, and invited the relevant service manager to provide an update on the revised priorities and sub priorities for action which were proposed for adoption by the Council. 

                        The Capital Works Team Manger and the Enterprise and Regeneration Manager reported on the priority Supportive Council, and the following sub priorities:

·         appropriate and affordable homes

·         modern, efficient and adapted homes

·         protecting people from poverty

The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager also provided an update on the priority Ambitious Council and the sub-priority business sector growth and regeneration. 

            The Chairman sought further information on the sub priority to protect people from poverty and the development of a strategy to address food poverty.  In her response, the Chief Officer referred to the development of a holistic approach to address the issue of poverty and commented on the need to provide help with budget management, fuel poverty, and help people gain employment.  The Chief Officer suggested that a report on food poverty be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee when appropriate

Councillor Aaron Shotton advised that the Council (Improvement) Plan set out the Council’s priorities for the forthcoming five years and what it aimed to achieve.  He commented on the significant financial pressures and the impact of under-funding and said that whilst focused on objectives during 2017/18 the Plan was also realistic about the national barriers to what could be achieved.        

            In response to the concerns raised by Councillor Paul Shotton around a delay experienced by some people in relation to claims for Universal Credit, the Benefits Manager gave an update on progress on the roll out of Universal Credit and advised that detailed analysis would be provided to the meeting of the Committee to be held in November 2017. 

            During discussion Officers responded to the further questions raised concerning progress completing Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WQHS) work schemes.  The Capital Works Manager explained that for various reasons some tenants refused to have improvement works carried out, however, every opportunity was taken to recapture ‘refusals’ and inform the tenant that improvement works could be undertaken to improve the standard of housing to the benefit of the tenant.

            Councillor Denis Hutchinson expressed his thanks to Councillor Bernie Attridge and officers for the assistance provided to address the issue of unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments in his Ward.

Councillor Patrick Heesom thanked the Chief Officer for a detailed and informative report and commended her and her team for their work.  He spoke of the needs and challenges faced by young people, citing the 18-24 age group in particular, and commented on the need to develop affordable accommodation  for this group of  people.  Commenting on the WHQS Programme he asked that the Committee be provided with the findings of the internal audit of the Programme when completed.

RESOLVED:

That the comments made by the Committee be collated and feedback provided to Cabinet.