Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Barry and S Cornwell.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

No declarations were received at the meeting.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 11 April 2019.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 11 April 2019 were noted.

(a) Scene Setting – The Terms of Reference

(b) How the Committee operates - discussion

The Committee considered the overall Terms of Reference of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees and specific remit of the Growth Scrutiny Committee.  In particular, they considered its responsibilities for scrutinising functions relating to:-

·                Local Enterprise Partnership and Combined Authorities;

·                Business/Economy;

·                Economic Development Regeneration;

·                Asset Management;

·                Planning;

·                Tourism;

·                Partnerships;

·                Strategic Housing – Housing Strategy.

In this context, the Overview and Scrutiny Manager gave a presentation to the Committee to help Members understand the role of Scrutiny, so that Committee could determine better what issues they may want to focus on over the next year.  As part of her presentation, she gave examples of previous investigations carried out by the Committee.  The Officer also explained the different ways in which the Scrutiny Committees could scrutinise issues, such as carrying out in-depth reviews as well as shorter, ‘spotlight’ reviews on specific topics.  In addition, Members heard about how Scrutiny can hold the Cabinet and other decision makers to account and how it helps to monitor service performance. 

Members thanked the officer for her presentation.

RESOLVED – That Committee notes the remit of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees and specifically the remit of the Growth Scrutiny Committee.

To discuss and select a topic for the Committee’s Scrutiny Review.  (Please fill in the attached sheet if you have any suggestions which we can discuss at the meeting).

Committee identified and discussed a wide range of topics which the Committee might want to scrutinise over the next Municipal Year.  Members felt that they would benefit from further discussion with Council Officers and those responsible for managing relevant external programmes and organisations, so that they could understand better the issues involved before deciding what issues they wanted to review. 

RESOLVED –

(1)     That the relevant Council and other officers attend the next meeting of the Committee to discuss with Members:-

(a)     Housing – and in particular the use of Section 106 funds; from housing developments and supporting infrastructure provision for developments;

(b)     Town Centre Regeneration;

(c)     Business Support;

(d)     The Council’s Transformation Agenda;

(e)     The operation of the D2N2 Partnership;

(f)      Leisure Facilities;

(g)     Joint Ventures.

(2)     That if appropriate, following on from these discussions, Committee determine what scrutiny review topics it wishes to include in its Work Programme for the year.

To consider the draft Work Programme for the Growth Scrutiny Committee 2019/20 and make any suggestions for items.

Members considered the initial draft of the Work Programme.   This set out the standing items that would be brought to Committee.  It also suggested the possible dates for undertaking scrutiny review work. 

RESOLVED – That Committee notes its draft Work Programme.

To consider the Growth Summary Report 2018/19

Committee considered the Growth Summary Report for 2018/19.  They were assisted in this by the Improvement Officer – Performance.  He reminded Members that in 2014 the Council had committed to a strategy to focus on unlocking the potential to deliver growth for the District.  The Growth Strategy, along with the Corporate Plan, set out the Council’s ambitions to create a sustainable high performing economy for the District. 

The report set out the summary of progress towards achieving these ambitions achieved during the latter half of the 2018/19 financial year.  

There was a wide ranging discussion about what had been achieved.  During this discussion, specific mention was made of the Council’s business support arrangements, the support which the District had received from the European Union ‘LEADER Programme’, business growth and the Council’s partnership with E-On to bring empty private properties back into use as homes.

Committee considered the detailed outturn figures against the Growth Strategy Performance Indicators.   The Officer explained to Members how the performance information is collated and the on-line system which is used to do this.

Members noted that the District performed better on dealing with planning applications than the target figure.  Members also noted that the ‘out of work benefits claimants’ count’ in the District was lower than for the East Midlands and Great Britain as a whole.  Committee welcomed this and discussed the possible reasons for it. 

RESOLVED – The Committee notes the North East Derbyshire District Council Growth Summary Report 2018/19.

To consider the list of Key Decisions – Issue No 85

The Committee considered Issue No 85 of the List of Key Decisions which set out the major decisions being taken over the next few months.   Members noted that the list of key decisions was likely to change in order to better reflect the priorities of the new administration as they emerged. 

RESOLVED – That the List of Key Decisions No 86 be noted.

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the Committee is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items to be discussed at the meeting.

The next meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on 18 July 2019.