Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes from the previous meeting

The minutes of the Housing and Community OSC meeting on 22 September and 12 October 2016 were agreed by members

To receive any apologies for absence

There were no apologies received.

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.

An opportunity for members of the public to make statements or ask questions in accordance with the rules as to public participation

There was no public participation.

None

R Baker introduced the report providing details of the projected outturn for 2016/17 as at Quarter 2 for the: General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme full details can be found in the report.

R Baker was happy to take questions.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe refereed to page 3, overarching targets, and asked if this can be made more difficult.

E Brooks stated that it’s a difficult area; they only sell garages that are hard to let. There are more people in garages now than expected.

Cllr England asked if there were stock conditions on garages.

B Brooks response was that he was unsure as estates dealt with that.

They decide which ones can be disposed of.

Cllr England asked what the cost of a garage was.

E Brooks stated that it was between £10-£11 per week however they could charge more.

Cllr Mahmood asked if the garages were wide enough for car storage.

E Brooks stated that he accepts that most people renting garages are not using them to store a car in, most garages are tight and that they might not be suitable for the cars on the market today.

Cllr Mahmood referred to page 5, 3.1. Employees - £81k over budget for staff, is that shared across the services, what exactly does it mean?

R Baker said that it’s related to the vacancy provision that we put against all salaries and 5% allowance for staff turnover.

Cllr Mahmood referred to the over budget item, 3.2. The last line, we have balanced out so why are we seeing this so early on, how do we monitor this.

R Baker stated that they have 2 schemes, 1 which has previously been approved and rolled forward. The other is the strategy review.

Cllr Mahmood referred to item 4.5, maintenance which is nearly half a million pound over budget.

E Brooks stated that this is the figure at the end of quarter 2; things have moved on since then, quite a lot of work with the officers from the housing team. There was £200,000 worth of work that had been coded into revenues which is actually capital works. So works that should have come out of another budget where they were underspent have now been re coded to the capital works programme.

Cllr Mahmood asked what 4.7 meant.

R Baker explained that it’s basically when budgets are moved from one area to another and to align the capital budgets to what they forecast to spend. What they look to do is increase the revenue budget in line with current spend and reduce the capital budget but the underspend is there.

Cllr Adeleke referred to page 7. 4.7. As part of Capital programme being reviewed, the tactic used is delaying some jobs. One of his residents has been waiting 2 years for a door replacement. How effectively are tenants being advised?

E Books stated that that type of incident isn’t really the type that R Baker explained. They are talking more alone  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

E Brooks introduced the quarterly housing report highlighting the following;

·         KPI’s

·         Latest version of the housing services plan and the risk register.

·         Empty homes continue to improve.

·         Performance TL15 which is ASB this should be red; this is due to no data.

·         Section 5 HRA capital programme, the boilers are done by Sun Realm not Osborn’s

E Brookes said that with regards to tenant’s involvement they have a new strategy which was brought to this committee a few months ago. Since then they have had their first meeting which was a success. He also informed the committee that he had done some work shadowing with the front line officers in the service to see what works they do and what issues they face. This has been very reassuring and is very impressed with the standards of works and communication.

E Brookes was happy to take questions on the report

Cllr Wyatt-Lowe referred to section 215, this doesn’t make sense and hopes it can be corrected.

He also said that he had received a complaint regarding a relative who had passed and how DBC didn’t deal with it appropriately, he asked what the process was in terms of leeway for the deceased and their families.

E Brooks said that this didn’t seem common curtesy and that there is discretion for these circumstances.  He confirmed he will look at this individual case so he can make comment.

Cllr Conway said that work is done to a high standard but they are a bit naughty sometimes they say they will turn up and they don’t.

E Brooks said sometimes they do have issues with missed appointments however they are less frequent than what they were. Over the last 3-4 month they haven’t had any issues with this.

Cllr England was gratified to see an early start on voids

Action:  None

Outcome: Report was noted.

J Still introduced the report stating that there wasn’t much new to add.

J Still highlighted the following;

·         Success of the summer programme.

·         Neighbourhood action, not very well attended

·         Adventure playground is still well attended

·         CCTV being busy and cameras increased.

·         Safeguarding training being delivered to Osborne’

J Still was happy to take questions on the report.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe spotted an error on page 48; there was no label on the bottom row.

Cllr Harden confirmed that it should say domestic abuse.

Cllr Wyatt-Lowe referred to page 51 14.2 are you happy that your contractors are safeguarding correctly.

J Still said that our duty is our contractors and as far as we are concerned, there is room for improvement. However we are ahead in terms of others. We monitor the percent of staff trained and how often.

Cllr Timmis informed the committee that she was at the Environment Committee last night. There have been a lot of destructions at the skate park; would it be part of your area to have CCTV put up? This could become dangerous for other young people there.

J Still stated that they were aware and they are taking a problem solving approach in dealing with this. There are agencies involved doing outreach work and in addition to that they are working with the police. CCTV has been a consideration and mobile CCTV as an immediate response.

Cllr Mahmood asked what they had been doing to achieve a high success rate at the adventure playground.

J Still said that’s it’s always been well attended especially in the school holidays as its unpaid childcare so parents can go to work.

Cllr Mahmood referred to the pitches, are they well attended.

J Still said that they are proving to be very popular generating a bit of income for the playgrounds too.

Cllr Mahmood said he has been looking at what they are doing in the next quarter and due to the rise in anti-social behaviour we have an anti-social behaviour team, is there something they can pro-actively do.

J Still said if there is any specific area of any anti-social behaviour identified then they do look at what can be done in those areas. There is going to be more joint working and going forward they are hoping to be able to provide much more.

Cllr Adeleke said that there had been a recent incident with travellers in Chaulden parking in the cricket club. There was an issue last year in Grove hill we don’t want a repeat of this in playgrounds.

J Still stated that there is a procedure for travellers which they have to follow strictly. If that happens then the policy enables them to be moved on quickly. In terms of preventing it the Clean, Green and Safe Team will put as many barriers down as possible. Sometimes this isn’t enough and can be cut and damaged.

Action:  None.

Outcome: Report was noted

Karen Haswell introduced herself to Members as the new Team Manager for Youth Connexions Dacorum and St Albans District. She has recently taken over and explained that she is aware of some issues in the Dacorum area and plans to tackle them including joint working which hasn’t been done In the past.

Karen highlighted the following;

·         XC remains the main centre in Dacorum

·         There are 23 projects on the go

·         Concentrating on a clean slate

·         Working closely with the Councillors in their areas.

K Haswell was happy to take questions on the report.

Cllr England asked how many number of NEETS are there in Dacorum.

K Haswell said, 146 as of today. In the County we are 3^rd lowest, St Albans is the lowest.

Nationally Hertfordshire has one of the lowest NEETS rates.

K Haswell will send the needs over, the percentage of needs and the target after 30^th Nov. They are doing door knocking and surveys to find out the needs.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe referred to the bottom of page 60, Adeyfield. How did it go? And what does DAC stands for

DAC stands for Dacorum Team, it’s where the target support team work out of. The building is being used for youth projects.

The numbers are low; they are doing targeted leaflet droppings to houses, then following that up. Approximately 8-10 people, it is low but it hasn’t been going on long.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe asked to be kept informed.

Cllr Mahmood thanks K Haswell for coming as the committee were concerned.

In terms of reaching out to the younger people, are you contacting local schools?

K Haswell confirmed that they were in every school on the information advice and guidance site as a commissions servicer accept Ashlyn’s. Going forward a youth worker is paired up with schools, they do lunch time sessions to raise the profile of what projects there are.

Cllr Mahmood was concerned about going to the XC since there is a perception that you get all the privilege people going there, how do we reach out to all?

K Haswell said that the XC is due to be re vamped, they are waiting on plans to be finalised.

It will be far more user friendly. Which will include:

·         Change of kitchen to provide independent living skills

·         Washing facilities so that care leaves can do their laundry.

·         Moving away from the corporate feel

Cllr Mahmood asked if they now had the necessary support to pay the outstanding community centre bills.

K Haswell said yes this won’t be happening again and she appreciates how different things were in the past. There is a good support team now and they aim to run a professional service.

Cllr Mahmood referred to his personal experience, being intimidated in these places. Is there now the right training/people so that we don’t get any anti social behaviour?

K Haswell said there are still some people that need to look at their career options, they are doing training with people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

S Railson introduced the report highlighting the following;

The new website

Engaging with customers

The usage of the facility and services

New creative stands

Catering issues

Future plans for the Old Town.

S Railson was happy to take questions on the report.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe referred to the bottom of page 96 and wondered how viable this was in winter.

S Railson said there has been a list from the high street and traders and they have noticed there has been a drop off in football. In the report they make the point that they are fortunate that they have a turnover of guests in our café. If they have a performance then they have those customers there. Once they are there they are buying refreshments.

There is potential there to make another income stream for the Old Town Hall, it has taken a lot of time and resources in getting it set up, it can be a positive but does take a lot of work.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe said can it be opened in the evening for meeting rooms.

S Railson said absolutely there are a number of rooms which could be used. It would just take a conversation.

Cllr Adeleke commended S Railson for what you have achieved over the past 4 years since they last met. The cellar could be capitalised more.

S Railson said it is a useful multifunctional space it does represent one of the reasons for the uplift in use across the whole facility. It is used on a regular basis for private higher; they are turning over a lot of business in the cellar.

Cllr England congratulates them on their new website. The pie chart does show a successful effect.

Cllr Harden refereed to the pie chart which is great, seeing the change in the year of where the web has increased, will this impact sales on the counter.

S Railson said that going forward they will need to look at resources and how the staff can be utilised better. Cost is there biggest overhead.

Cllr Mahmood said have you thought about raising the costs to better balance the budget.

S Railson said that they are in parity with competitors, we are not encountering any resistance to pricing there is some movability going into the financial year, however they don’t want to suffer a back lash from it, all factors are considered and there is some promise for this. We want to ensure people are getting value for money.

Action:  None

Outcome:   The report was noted.

J Still gave apologise on behalf of Dave Moore who was due to present the report today.  The report focuses on the position of Dacorum Borough Council within the County and major variances and increase in crime. There has been a concern in residential burglaries; we are 7% above average. Vehicle crime is the second area of concern and this is on the joint action group agenda, this is reviewed to see what actions can be taken.

Criminal damage is another area of concern, this includes graffiti. 

J Still was happy to take questions on the report.

Cllr Adeleke referred to criminal damage the CCTV is green, to what effect is that being used.

J Still said that CCTV used increasing to identify individuals, where crime is reported they will come the CCTV room and asked for evidence; this is then reviewed and processed.

Our CCTV operates are proactive and identify perpetrators of crime.

Cllr Adeleke asked if it picks up night crime.

J Still said that most crime happens in residential areas. If they have a spate, mobile cameras can be put up and these are a deterrent.

Cllr Timmis is there a relationship with increased crime due to no street lights.

J Still said she hasn’t had any up to date information on this but the last time she had a report on this, there wasn’t any indication on this. J Still confirmed that she will check this information.

Cllr Harden said that research was looked at County wide in regards to lighting over the last few years, the average time of day for burglaries was 4pm this is the most lightly time people were burgled.

Action:  None

Outcome: Report was noted.

D Austin introduced the report informing Members that the report had previously gone to SPAE Committee, so we welcome your views this evening.

D Austin highlighted a few things;

The proposed Byelaws, 7 parks only, shown in paragraph 7, page 67.

Paragraph 14 give you a sense of the byelaws and the types of activates they can enforce.

There is also some provision in paragraph 16 for them to put in licencing activates like boot camps.

Page 66 there is a process outline for Members following approval by the Council, there is still a process to go through in terms of consultation and is still subject to approved by the secretary of states.

D Austin pointed out that on page 69 the authority does have an enforcement policy so it’s important we need to operate within the principles of the policy.

D Austin was happy to take questions along with R Cassidy and B Lisgarten.

Cllr Bassadone asked, when people camp in Bunkers park, what action can be taken that night.

R Cassidy said that the Police can act on Byelaws, it would probably be best to call them.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe said he is questioning why only 7 areas? Why are we excluding fields and parks? Is it not easier or forward thinking to include all parks as you run the risk of needing it for other areas?

B Lisgarten said at the last Environment OSC this was raised that we should widen the scope of the Byelaws, this can be done. Part of the process is to carry out the assessment to see if it’s viable.

Cllr Banks was going to make the same point, in Grove hill there are two parks that are likely to be abused and only one is on the list.

B Lisgarten when they first looked at this the list it was very long and had to be reduced, if you feel there is a need to incorporate both areas this can be decided amongst officers and that can then be included.

Cllr Adeleke asked, if we go ahead with all this, just on the enforcement side, page 7 of 23 the agencies that are responsible for enforcing these Byelaws include virtually everyone who you can think of, who exactly will be enforcing these Byelaws.

R Cassidy said that it will be the Clean Safe and Green Team who are hoping to get some people trained up, so Supervisors and Enforcement Officers can enforce this. It’s not just about enforcement it’s about giving guidance of what people can and can’t do. R Cassidy said he sees these things happening on a day to day basic and normally just informing someone what they can and can’t do is more that enough.

Cllr Fethney referred to the legal process, are we going to the Secretary of sates for all cases or just it someone who objects. What kind of law does this then represent.

B Lisgarten said that in terms of Byelaws themselves they are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

Julia Hedger introduced the report giving a full update on the current housing development plan, at the end of the report it has covered some of the completed new builds that they have had over the last 18 months.

J Hedger was happy to take question.

Cllr Bassadone asked if the two units in Apsley had now been occupied.

J Hedger said yes, she understands that one is going to be an estate agency and a community café.

Cllr Griffith said that the challenge is that those units in storey street cant be let until planning permission is complete, the boulders that are blocking the road need to be removed before planning can go ahead. There is a site meeting this week to discuss this.

J Still said that they are programmed in for the end of Jan for completion.

Cllr Adeleke said that the new build is good publicity for the borough. What impact does this have on the waiting list?

J Hedger said that there are over 10,000 people on the active and deferred; we are losing homes due to the right to buy, so we are not increasing the stock we have.  Affordable housing has increased; there is a lot of works going on in the Borough.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe what parking provision was built in Aspen Court?

J Still said they brought that site, there is parking provision in planning and there is also a car park across the road, we can review this after 12 months.

When Aspen Court is complete there will be barriers put in place for parking, this protects the residents. Only 60% of residents that live there have cars, this is being monitored. Able House they brought planning permission for parking with the land, they have also converted another small area for parking. The same approach will be taken at Wood House.

Cllr Mahmood said that in Deaconsfield road the whole street has been developed apart from 1or 2 gardens which are council houses. Could we look at individual sites to provide 2 houses if its feasible.

J Hedger said they do look at things like that when properties are empty, it’s not cost effective but they look at every individual.

Cllr Griffith gave a suggestion, she is conscious that they haven’t brought back a formal report back for housing in Gadebridge development.

J Hedger said that they don’t have all the data and as soon as she does it will be brought to the committee.

Cllr Griffith said the committee would be interested in feedback from tenants.

Cllr Bassadone said that she had asked for feedback on this and you said all tenants where happy except one.

J Hedger said that was correct and that one person turned down the property as they felt it was too complicated.

The 9 residents have been visited and they are all happy, there bills are under £100 for the year and there has been no strictly issues.

E Brooks said that since the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

Agreed

No items to be added.