Agenda and minutes

It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillor Galton from the Committee, the Monitoring Officer, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillor Powell-Vaughan to replace him for the purposes of this meeting.  Apologies were also noted from Councillors Evemy and Paffey and Appointed Member Rob Sanders.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 13^th February (Special), 4^th March (Special) and 14^th March, 2024 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes for the Committee meetings held on 13^th February, 2024 (Special), 4^th March, 2024 (Special) and 14^th March, 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

To move that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration of the confidential appendix to the Item 8b.

Attached to Appendix 2 is a document exempt from general publication based on Category 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding the information)) of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. In applying the public interest test this information has been deemed exempt from the publication due to commercial sensitivity. It is not considered to be in the public interest to disclose this information as it would reveal information which would put the Council at a commercial disadvantage.

The Chair moved that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration of the confidential appendix to the Item 8b.

Attached to Appendix 2 is a document exempt from general publication based on Category 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding the information)) of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. In applying the public interest test this information has been deemed exempt from the publication due to commercial sensitivity. It is not considered to be in the public interest to disclose this information as it would reveal information which would put the Council at a commercial disadvantage.

The Committee considered the report of the Scrutiny Manager which enabled the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to examine the content of the Forward Plan and to discuss issues of interest or concern with the Executive. 

HOUSING ALLOCATIONS POLICY

The Committee considered the briefing paper attached to this item detailing the Housing Allocations Policy. 

Councillor A Frampton, Cabinet Member for Housing, Maria Byrne, Service Lead Housing Needs and Welfare and Katie Evans, Allocations and Advice Manager were present and will the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED that:

(i)  informed by the experience of other local authorities that have been through this process, to reduce the risk of people being inadvertently removed from the waiting list, the Council was  proactive and took into consideration the circumstances of vulnerable people when identifying the methods of communication the Council would utilise to encourage applicants to re-register, and reach those who do not respond to initial requests;

(ii)  reflecting the move to annually re-registering on the housing waiting list, clarification was provided of the length of time the Council was able to retain applicant information under the Data Retention Policy; and

(iii)  the Executive gave consideration to the use of short-term tenancies for new applicants to help manage demand and housing need.

TOYS R US DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

The Committee received and noted the briefing paper attached to this item detailing the Toys R Us Development Agreement.

Councillor Bogle, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Nawaz Khan Interim Director of Place were present and with consent of the Chair addressed the meeting. 

The Committee noted the report of the Scrutiny Manager which enabled the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to monitor and track progress on recommendations made to the Executive at previous meetings.