Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)        That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented the current Forward Work Programme for consideration.

The Facilitator referred to the number of items listed for the next meeting scheduled for 14^th December and suggested that she liaise with the Chair and Chief Officer following the meeting to move some items to other meetings, to allow for a full debate on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) & Budget Setting 2023-24 (Stage 2) report.  The Committee supported this suggestion.

The Facilitator outlined the following changes that had been made to the Forward Work Programme since the last meeting:-

• Temporary Accommodation Audit Update – this report has been moved to April, 2023 to allow for the final Rapid Rehousing Plan to be submitted;
• Housing Register Service Customer Satisfaction – this information will be included as part of the Housing Register report being presented to the Committee in February, 2023; and
• Sheltered Housing Review – this report will now be presented in February 2023

In relation to the Actions arising from the last meeting, the Facilitator reported that a site visit to view Void properties has been arranged for 9^th December, 2022.  Additional information on the site visit will be sent to Members of the Committee in due course.  On the action relating to a report on Poverty being brought forward on the Forward Work Programme, the Facilitator advised that a report was recently presented to Cabinet on the cost of living crisis and she would share this with Members of the Committee after the meeting.  Performance on poverty would also be presented to the Committee at its meeting in December, 2022.

Councillor Bernie Attridge asked if a briefing note could be provided to all Members of the Council on how the Council dealt with older properties that had damp and mould.  He also asked if information on triple vent ventilation, which he believed should be provided when installing replacement windows, could be provided as part of the briefing note.  He said that he appreciated that the Committee had a busy Forward Work Programme, and therefore would appreciate a briefing note to provide assurance to Members, if a report could not be accommodated within the Forward Work Programme.  The Chair suggested that a report on this matter be included on the Forward Work Programme for January, 2023.

The Facilitator suggested that a briefing note be provided to all Members following the meeting and a decision on whether a report should also be brought to the Committee could be made at a later date. 

            The recommendations, as outlined within the report, were moved by Councillor Bernie Attridge and seconded by Councillor Rob Davies.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)        That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.