Minutes for Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) meeting, Oct 20 2009, 6.30PM official page

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Booth, Roberts and Weavers, and Councillors Cuthbertson, Hill and B. Rimmer (substitute Members).

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following declaration of interest was received:-

Member

Minute No.

Reason

Action

Councillor Cluskey

40

Personal Interest – he is a Member of Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority

Took part in the consideration of the item and voted thereon.

Minutes of the meeting held on *

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Housing Market Renewal Director

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Housing Market Renewal informing Members about current housing market conditions and trends over time, primarily concerning the Housing Market Renewal (HMRI) area but also the wider Sefton Borough.

The report highlighted the following Key Findings:-

(i)            Median sold price decreases had been proportionally smaller in Sefton (-3.9%), and greater in the Sefton HMRI area (-11.6%) than in wider regional and national areas from quarter four 2007 to quarter four 2008;

(ii)           The HMRI area had been the last to see a fall in median prices of the comparison areas, although the annual decrease was now the most severe in this area;

(iii)          Sales volume decreased proportionally at a greater rate for the borough and the HMRI area than for the wider area from quarter four 2007 to quarter four 2008, with volume decreased by roughly two-thirds during this period;

(iv)          Terraced properties accounted for the highest volume of sales but the lowest median price across the HMRI area. Semi-detached properties accounted for the highest volume of sales across the Borough;

(v)           Klondyke and Seaforth-Waterloo HMRI neighbourhoods saw large drops in median price from fourth quarter 2007 to fourth quarter 2008, while prices were relatively stable in Bedford Queens, and while Linacre and Peel Knowsley saw small price increases;

(vi)          Turnover decreased in all HMRI neighbourhoods to the end of 2008, with 66% to 85% drops from previous peak rates; and

(vii)         Areas of highest house prices in many cases also represented areas with least affordability.

RESOLVED:

That the information contained in the House Price Report be received and the officers be thanked for a full and informative report.

Report of the Drainage Services Manager

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director Regeneration identifying the effects that climate change might have on inland flooding in Sefton and the changes and proposed improvements that if implemented now would reduce these effects, now and in the future.

In order to properly manage the current and emerging issues it was suggested that possible consideration be given to reinstate drainage funding stream budgets back to the levels in 2004/05, which would allow an increase in the number of flooding problems that could be tackled. Additionally, it was suggested that a further future increase of up to £50,000 in the land drainage allocation should be considered, as part of the budget setting process, to enable further strategic watercourse maintenance to be undertaken across Sefton in line with the Pitt Review recommendations.

Drainage Function

2004/05 Budgets

£k

2009/10 Budgets

£k

Proposed

Future Budgets

£k

Highway Drainage

275

250 (45K offered as a saving last year)

275

Land Drainage

105

123

170

Gully Cleansing

272

222

272

Total

652

595

717

It was suggested that a database of highway culverts should be established and a sustainable programme of regular inspections and subsequent maintenance established as part of the existing highway structural maintenance regime.

Members were informed of a trial mapping exercise which had been carried out in the Formby area, funded by the Environment Agency, and it was reported that negotiations were continuing with a view to this being extended throughout the Borough.

Additionally, it was proposed that when approving new developments, designing new drainage systems or where improvements were undertaken on existing drainage systems, any recommended allowances/increases to compensate for future climate change predictions be included. It was noted however, that there were cost implications to this course of action and these would have to be accommodated from within the available funding, which might limit the quantity of work that could be undertaken.

RESOLVED:

(1)       the report be received;

(2)       the proposals set out above and detailed in items 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, of the report submitted be supported; and

(3)       the Cabinet be requested to consider revenue growth of £122k in drainage budgets, in particular for land drainage, during the 2010/11 budget process.

Joint report of the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environmental Services, Planning and Economic Regeneration Director, Environmental Protection Director, Head of Technical Services, Leisure Director, Head of Tourism and Finance & IS Director.

The Committee considered the joint report of the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environmental Services, Planning and Economic Regeneration Director, Environmental Protection Director, Head of Technical Services, Leisure Director, Head of Tourism and the Finance and Information Services Director giving details of the final 2008/09 revenue position, the capital programme outturn for 2008/09, performance indicators for 2008/09 and on-going issues for 2008/09, in respect of the following portfolios which fell under the remit of this Committee:-

(i)         Planning Portfolio;

(ii)        Environmental Services Portfolio;

(iii)       Technical Services Portfolio; and

(iv)       Leisure and Tourism Portfolio.

Copies of reports submitted to the appropriate Cabinet Members at meetings during August and September 2009 were appended to the report.

Arising from the discussion reference was made to charges in respect of water run-off and the particular effects on Local Authorities and voluntary organisations. It was reported that it was intended to submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee dealing with this issue.

RESOLVED:

That the final 2008/09 revenue position and details of the capital programme outturn, performance indicators and on-going issues for 2008/09 be accepted.

Joint report of the Leisure Director and the Finance and Information Services Director.

Further to Minute No. 43 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member-Leisure and Tourism held on 9 September 2009, the Committee considered the joint report of the Leisure Director and Finance and Information Services Directorproviding the quarterly forecast position, based on information as at 31^st July 2009, in relation to the Portfolio’s 2009/10 Revenue Budget and indicating that a decision on this matter was required to comply with the corporate performance management process.

The report also sought a view on whether any comments should be made to the Cabinet regarding the overall performance of the revenue budget and the schemes within the capital programme.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and no comments be made at present to the Cabinet regarding the overall performance of the revenue budget and the schemes within the capital programme.

Joint report of the Leisure Director, Head of Tourism and the Finance and Information Services Director

Further to Minute No. 44 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member-Leisure and Tourism held on 9 September 2009, the Committee considered the joint report of the Head of Tourismand Finance and Information Services Directorproviding the quarterly forecast position, based on information as at 31^st July 2009, in relation to the Portfolio’s 2009/10 Revenue Budget and indicating that a decision on this matter was required to comply with the corporate performance management process..

The report also sought a view on whether any comments should be made to the Cabinet regarding the overall performance of the revenue budget and the schemes within the capital programme.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and no comments be made at present to the Cabinet regarding the overall performance of the revenue budget and the schemes within the capital programme.

Joint report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director and the

Finance and Information Services Director.

Further to Minute No. 55 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Technical Services held on 8 September 2009, the Committee considered the joint report of the Head of Technical Services, the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director and the Finance and Information Services Director providing the quarterly forecast position, based on information as at 31st July 2009, in relation to the Portfolio’s 2009/10 Revenue Budget and indicating that a decision on this matter was required to comply with the corporate performance management process.

The report also sought a view on whether any comments should be made to the Cabinet regarding the overall performance of the revenue budget and the schemes within the capital programme.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and no comments be made at present to the Cabinet regarding the overall performance of the revenue budget and the schemes within the capital programme.

Joint report of the Environmental Protection Director and Finance & IS Services Director

Further to Minute No. 46 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Environmental held on 23 September 2009, the Committee considered the joint report of the Environmental Protection Director and the Finance and Information Services Director on the quarterly forecast position, based on information as at 31 July 2009, in relation to the Portfolio’s 2009/10 Revenue Budget and Capital Programme; and indicating that a decision on this matter was required in accordance with the corporate performance management framework.

Annex A to the report detailed the Portfolio’s budgets that were monitored and reported on the risk-assessed basis; whilst Annex B detailed the Portfolio’s schemes within the Capital Programme 2009/10 - 2012/13.

The report concluded by requesting whether any comments about the overall performance of the Revenue Budget or Capital Programme schemes should be referred to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED: 

That the report be received and no comments be made at present to the Cabinet regarding the overall performance of the revenue budget and the schemes within the capital programme.

Joint report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director and Finance & IS Services Director

Further to Minute No. 75 of the Planning Committee of 16 September 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director providing the quarterly forecast position, based on information as at 31^st July 2009, in relation to the Portfolio’s 2009/10 Revenue Budget and indicating that a decision on this matter was required to comply with the corporate performance management process.

The particular pressures on the Department were as a result of the downturn in the economy and a subsequent reduction in the number of planning applications being submitted. At the request of Members the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director agreed to submit a report on the economic situation within Sefton to a future meeting of the Committee.

The report also sought a view on whether any comments should be made to the Cabinet regarding the overall performance of the revenue budget and the schemes within the capital programme.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the report be received and no comments be made at present to the Cabinet regarding the overall performance of the revenue budget and the schemes within the capital programme; and

(2)       the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director be requested to submit a report on the economic situation within Sefton to a future meeting of the Committee.

Report of the Legal Director

The Committee considered the report of the Legal Director informing Members that at the meeting of the Crosby Area Committee held on 21 January 2009 (Minute No. 117 refers) Members of that Committee had discussed the success, benefits and impact on the Crosby area of the Antony Gormley Statues, and resolved as follows:-

“That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) be requested to undertake a review of the success, benefits and impact of the Antony Gormley (Another Place) installation”.

Members were asked to receive the request of the Crosby Area Committee and consider the addition of a review, as requested, to the Committee’s Work Programme.

Members considered the request, but bearing in mind other important priorities within the existing work programme, it was considered that the addition of a further review would not be appropriate at this time.

RESOLVED:

That the request of the Crosby Area Committee be received but in the circumstances, a review of the success, benefits and impact of the Antony Gormley (Another Place) installation be not added to the Committee’s Work Programme at present.

Report of the Legal Director

The Committee considered the report of the Legal Director attaching the latest Key Decision Forward Plan which contained all the Key Decisions which the Executive was anticipated to take during the above period. The Committee was advised of its right to pre-scrutinise any Key Decision which fell under its remit.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the contents of the Forward Plan for the period 1 October 2009 to 31 January 2010, be accepted; and

(2)       the progress and actions of the Working Groups to date be approved.