Havant Borough Council
Councillors:
36
Wards:
17
Committees:
35
Meetings (2025):
89
Meetings (2024):
96
Meeting
Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Havant
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 9th September 2024
5:30 PM
Monday, 9th September 2024
5:30 PM
End:
Monday, 9th September 2024
9:30 PM
Monday, 9th September 2024
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
09 Sep 2024
09 Sep 2024
Location:
Hurstwood Room, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX
Hurstwood Room, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Vice Chairman of Planning Committee
Council Staff
Interim Executive Head of Commercial
Chris Riggott
Not required
Council Staff
Personal Assistant
Jane McEvoy
Not required
Chairman
Leader of the Conservative Party
Committee Member
Leader of the Reform UK Party
Committee Member
Deputy Mayor of the Council and Vice Chairman of Licensing Committee
Secretary
Democratic & Electoral Services Manager
Jenni Harding
Expected
Public
Spare Copies
Expected
Deputee
Leader of the Council - Cabinet Lead for Corporate Strategy. Performance, and External Relations, Chairman of Human Resources Committee
Standing Deputy
Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Robinson, Paul Gray and Harris.
2
Declarations of Interest
To receive and record any declarations of interests from Members present.
Minutes
During a discussion on the Committee’s work plan (Item 9) of the agenda, Councillor Andrew Briggs was advised his interest in a CIC that ran events should not prevent him from being appointed as a member of the proposed Review of Events Policy Task and Finish Group provided that he ensured that he did not take part in any discussion or decision that directly related to his or the CIC’s financial interest or wellbeing.
3
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2024.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of Previous Meeting 30 Aug 2024
Minutes
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 5 March 2024 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
4
Progress Update on Regeneration & Economic Development Strategy
Attachments:
- Document Update of Regen and ED Strategy 30 Aug 2024
Minutes
The Committee was given an opportunity to scrutinise progress made against the priorities identified in the Council’s Regeneration and Economic Development Strategy 2022 - 2036.
Members received a report a report and presentation from the Executive Head of Regeneration and asked questions of clarification from the officers present and raised points in relation to:
· The loss of Fat Face from the Dunsbury Hill Farm site.
· The impact of anti-social behaviour on the ability to regenerate areas.
· The benefits of quick wins.
· The long-term plans for regeneration of the Borough.
· The use of open spaces in Leigh Park for recreation.
· How funding opportunities impacted upon the prioritising of regeneration schemes.
· The benefits of making the facilities and shops in Park Parade more visible.
· Work being undertaken to engage all age ranges.
In response to questions raised the officers agreed to investigate the feasibility of promoting recreation use of the open spaces in Leigh Park.
RESOLVED that the progress made by the Council against its Regeneration and Economic Development Strategy 2022-2036 be noted.
Members received a report a report and presentation from the Executive Head of Regeneration and asked questions of clarification from the officers present and raised points in relation to:
· The loss of Fat Face from the Dunsbury Hill Farm site.
· The impact of anti-social behaviour on the ability to regenerate areas.
· The benefits of quick wins.
· The long-term plans for regeneration of the Borough.
· The use of open spaces in Leigh Park for recreation.
· How funding opportunities impacted upon the prioritising of regeneration schemes.
· The benefits of making the facilities and shops in Park Parade more visible.
· Work being undertaken to engage all age ranges.
In response to questions raised the officers agreed to investigate the feasibility of promoting recreation use of the open spaces in Leigh Park.
RESOLVED that the progress made by the Council against its Regeneration and Economic Development Strategy 2022-2036 be noted.
5
Future of Customer Services Progress Report
Attachments:
- Document 2.0 Customer Services - Overview and Scrutiny September 2024 30 Aug 2024
- Document Questions submitted prior to the meeting and their responses 30 Aug 2024
Minutes
The Committee was given an opportunity to scrutinise a report setting out progress on the future of the Customer Services function following
the Cabinet’s decision in July 2024 to bring the service back in house.
Questions received from Councillor Collings prior to the meeting together with the responses to these questions were published and circulated before the meeting commenced.
Members asked questions of clarification from the Executive Head of Commercial and raised points in relation to:
a. the accessibility of the business case supporting the decision to bring the service back in house;
b. the timing and scrutiny of the business cases for the transfer of customer services and the future of the Council’s telephone system;
c. the impact of the changes on staff and recruitment; and
d. the feasibility of having a transition period between the changeover from the existing to the new service
In response to questions raised the officers advised that:
1. they would be willing to discuss the exempt details contained in the business case for the changeover of customer services with members outside of the meeting;
2. the business case for telephony would likely be submitted for consideration of the Committee as part of the budget process; and
3. they would be willing to discuss the feasibility of having a transition period with the current provider, if requested.
RESOLVED that the information provided be noted.
the Cabinet’s decision in July 2024 to bring the service back in house.
Questions received from Councillor Collings prior to the meeting together with the responses to these questions were published and circulated before the meeting commenced.
Members asked questions of clarification from the Executive Head of Commercial and raised points in relation to:
a. the accessibility of the business case supporting the decision to bring the service back in house;
b. the timing and scrutiny of the business cases for the transfer of customer services and the future of the Council’s telephone system;
c. the impact of the changes on staff and recruitment; and
d. the feasibility of having a transition period between the changeover from the existing to the new service
In response to questions raised the officers advised that:
1. they would be willing to discuss the exempt details contained in the business case for the changeover of customer services with members outside of the meeting;
2. the business case for telephony would likely be submitted for consideration of the Committee as part of the budget process; and
3. they would be willing to discuss the feasibility of having a transition period with the current provider, if requested.
RESOLVED that the information provided be noted.
6
Q1 – Performance/Priorities Update
Attachments:
- Document Q1 performance and priorities update - Overview and Scrutiny September 2024 30 Aug 2024
- Document Appendix 1 - corporate performance scorecard 30 Aug 2024
- Document Appendix 2 - corporate priorities update 30 Aug 2024
- Document Questions submitted prior to the meeting and their responsess 30 Aug 2024
Minutes
The Committee was given an opportunity to scrutinise a report setting out progress made against the priorities identified in the council’s Corporate Strategy.
Questions received from Councillor Collings prior to the meeting together with the responses to these questions were published and circulated before the meeting commenced.
Members asked questions of clarification from the Leader of the Council and the officers and raised points in relation to:
a. the robustness and effectiveness of the Council’s planning enforcement service;
b. the delivery and accessibiity of the bulky waste collection service;
c. concern that the Council’s telephone system directed fly tipping enquiries to Hampshire County Council;
d. the quality of properties outside of the Borough, which were used to house the Council’s temporary homeless
e. the future use of Block A of the Public Sector Plaza; and
f. the arrangements for publishing Council decisions and how these compared with other local authorities.
In response to questions raised the officers:
1. agreed to provide details of the Council’s planning enforcement service, including performance statistics;
2. agreed to provide details on the arrangements for housing the temporary homeless outside of the Borough; and
3. advised that they would compare the Council’s arrangements for reporting decisions with other local authorities; and
4. advised that the officers would check to ensure that fly tipping telephone enquiries were directed to this Council’s inhouse team.
RESOLVED that the information provided be noted.
Questions received from Councillor Collings prior to the meeting together with the responses to these questions were published and circulated before the meeting commenced.
Members asked questions of clarification from the Leader of the Council and the officers and raised points in relation to:
a. the robustness and effectiveness of the Council’s planning enforcement service;
b. the delivery and accessibiity of the bulky waste collection service;
c. concern that the Council’s telephone system directed fly tipping enquiries to Hampshire County Council;
d. the quality of properties outside of the Borough, which were used to house the Council’s temporary homeless
e. the future use of Block A of the Public Sector Plaza; and
f. the arrangements for publishing Council decisions and how these compared with other local authorities.
In response to questions raised the officers:
1. agreed to provide details of the Council’s planning enforcement service, including performance statistics;
2. agreed to provide details on the arrangements for housing the temporary homeless outside of the Borough; and
3. advised that they would compare the Council’s arrangements for reporting decisions with other local authorities; and
4. advised that the officers would check to ensure that fly tipping telephone enquiries were directed to this Council’s inhouse team.
RESOLVED that the information provided be noted.
7
Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24
Attachments:
- Document Annual Scrutiny Report 30 Aug 2024
Minutes
RESOLVED that Council be RECOMMENDED to affirm the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny and note the Annual Report for 2023/24
8
Council's Forward Plan
Attachments:
- Document Council's Forward Plan 30 Aug 2024
- Document Appendix - Forward Plan as at 29 Aug 24 30 Aug 2024
Minutes
RESOLVED that:
A. the submitted Council’s Forward Plan be noted; and
B. the Council’s Forward Plan be reviewed at every meeting of the Committee.
A. the submitted Council’s Forward Plan be noted; and
B. the Council’s Forward Plan be reviewed at every meeting of the Committee.
9
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Plan 2024/25
Attachments:
- Document OS Work Plan Report 30 Aug 2024
- Document Appendicx A Proposed Work Plan 30 Aug 2024
- Document Appendix B Events Task and Finish Group Terms of Reference 30 Aug 2024
- Document Appendix C Langstone Harbour Task and Finish Group Terms of Reference 30 Aug 2024
- Document Appendix A to the Minutes 08 Oct 2024
- Document Appendix B to the Minutes 08 Oct 2024
Minutes
The Committee considered its work plan for 2024/25.
Members were undecided on the terms of reference for the 2nd task and Finish group.
RESOLVED that:
A. the work plan set out in appendix A to these minutes be agreed and this work plan provide flexibility to enable the Committee to respond to emerging issues or priorities;
B. an Events Task and Finish Group be appointed subject to the terms of reference set out in Appendix B of these minutes; and
C. a decision on the terms of reference of the 2nd Task and Finish Group be deferred until the Future of Environmental Services Report has been submitted to the Committee.
Members were undecided on the terms of reference for the 2nd task and Finish group.
RESOLVED that:
A. the work plan set out in appendix A to these minutes be agreed and this work plan provide flexibility to enable the Committee to respond to emerging issues or priorities;
B. an Events Task and Finish Group be appointed subject to the terms of reference set out in Appendix B of these minutes; and
C. a decision on the terms of reference of the 2nd Task and Finish Group be deferred until the Future of Environmental Services Report has been submitted to the Committee.
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