Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes from the previous meeting held on 11 November 2015

The meeting began at: 8:20pm after the Joint Budget Presentation presented by James Dean.

The minutes of the Housing and Community OSC meeting on 11 November 2015 were agreed by members and signed by the Chair.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies received from Cllr Mclean, Cllr Link and Cllr Imarni.

To receive any declarations of interest

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered -

(i)            must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent

and, if the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, or a personal interest which is also prejudicial

(ii)           may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter (and must withdraw to the public seating area) unless they have been granted a dispensation.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Members’ Register of Interests, or is not the subject of a pending notification, must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and prejudicial interests are defined in Part 2 of the Code of Conduct For Members

[If a member is in any doubt as to whether they have an interest which should be declared they should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer before the start of the meeting]

There was no declaration of interest.

None

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe referred to page 5 you quote a large sum has this had any risk implications, has a risk assessment been done, and page 6 the provision is there a reason why it’s done a year in advance.

J Still said it’s not really counted 16/17 but 17/18 there is provision expected at this time – Relates to the reduction in funding for the Tour of Britain event which has been removed for 16/17 but there is an expectation that Dacorum will host a stage in 17/18 and the budget will be reinstated.

M Gaynor added to that saying there is assurance for the ability to change this.

Cllr Mahmood referred to page 5 and the consumption Fund Services, it appears in every appendix.

R Baker said it’s a general day to day analysis.

Cllr Bassadone referred to page 6 and asked if the 1% rent reductions and the proposed increase in rent for those tenants earning in excess of £30k were linked

E Brooks said that the two policies were not directly linked and that it is possible some tenants could see a 1% decrease followed by a significant increase. E Brooks also confirmed that the move to ‘target rent’ for those tenants not already there is likely to end 

Cllr Mahmood questioned page 6 cost of moves.

M Gaynor said it will kick in in 16/17 they do not relate pacifically to the HRA.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe referred to page 9, do we get money from the Police Election.

All officers confirmed that this was correct.

Cllr Mahmood made comments on page 10.

N Brathwaite said that the B&B spend figures may change because there has been an increase on the need for B&B’s.

Cllr Mahmood referred to page 13, increased garage rent.

M Gaynor said they are not restricted on rent increases. They are not 100% sure what the rent increases will be.

Cllr Griffiths added to that by saying it’s a bit deceptive being under Andy Vincent’s heading as its actually a Finance and Resources general fund, housing just administer it.

Cllr Mahmood put forward a question to C Troy regarding page 20 the H&S 100% increase.

C Troy confirmed that a second person had been put in place and the increase was also due to training costs.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe asked if the figures could be in percentages.

R Baker confirmed there are details on all of these on the report.

Cllr Mahmood refereed to page 24 there was a saving of 68% why did Julia have an increase.

J Hedger said it’s to do with the homelessness prevention grant, the last few years they have got grants from different organisations. The monies been sitting in another pot waiting for us to decide how to use it, it’s now being brought into the 16/17 budget.  This is linked to Cabinet decision received in October to draw down funds.

E Brooks added to that an explained that Strategic Housing had a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

The work programme was agreed by Members and E Brooks will look at other reports that need to come to the Committee. It is possible that the New Build Update will come to the Committee in January 2016.