Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 18 August  2020 to be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting of 18 August 2020 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.

Apologies had been received from Councillors Axam and Smith.

To declare disclosable, pecuniary and any other interests*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.

No declarations made.

Anyone wishing to make a statement to the Committee should contact Committee Services at least two clear working days prior to the meeting. Further information can be found at  https://www.hart.gov.uk/sites/default/files/4_The_Council/Council_meetings/Public%20Participation%20leaflet%202020%20A4.pdf

None.

The Chairman introduced the Head of Environment and Technical Services who gave a departmental update to Members on services delivered during Covid-19.  Members were informed of how the process and service provision that were delivered during lockdown required several sections being redeployed to other projects.  Members were also updated briefly on staff resourcing during lockdown and were updated on the Fleet Road Project.

The Climate Change Action Plan will be in focus moving forwards.  Peter Summersill has been appointed to post of Sustainability Office permanently to progress various Countryside projects.

Members questions surrounding this presentation included cost of time resources spent on Fleet Road.

This report provides a summary of the revised revenue proposals for 2020/2021 to enable Overview and Scrutiny Committee to forward its comments on the proposed draft revised budget and Council Tax levels to Cabinet. 

Members considered the revised revenue proposals for 2020/2021 taking into account loss of income due to Covid-19.

The S151 Officer explained the figures to Members and talked about the Central Government Funding contribution.

Members posed questions following the report around a possible reduction in the amount received from the Government, when it is expected to be received and any impact that may have.

Members noted that the loss in income quoted in this paper was different from those the JCX previously reported. It was confirmed by Cllr Radley that what was previously reported were costs to date and were advised that these numbers project fees and losses for the whole year up to March 2021.

A query on 5.2 resulted in Members being assured that no policies have been changed relating to individual departmental expenditure.

Following review of the Council’s CCTV service and the associated costs required to operate and maintain it, this report outlines the options for and makes recommendations on future CCTV service delivery.  

The Head of Environment and Technical Services introduced and explained a report on the future provision of the CCTV services.  This paper sought Members views on Runnymede Borough Council monitoring CCTV on behalf of Hart District Council in the future.

Members discussed the paper and asked questions on the costs, potential job losses, removal of local knowledge and feasibility of various recommendations.

Following discussion, the Chairman isolated point 6.2a or the move to Runnymede Borough Council as being the two best options to be considered.

Members agreed that the costs of moving cameras and any early contract termination costs should be agenda items for a future date.

RECOMMENDATION to Cabinet

(i)         the termination of the shared service agreement with Rushmoor Borough council for the monitoring of Hart’s CCTV cameras be agreed.

Members could not support Officer recommendations as set out in the report points (ii) – (vi) without further information.  It was agreed that further information would be circulated, and that Councillor Radley would ensure that this information, together with this Committee’s concerns, be addressed at Cabinet.

This report invites Overview and Scrutiny to consider the principles of alterations to the contract for Corporate Services, known as the Five Councils’ Partnership, that are being recommended to Cabinet at its meeting in October. The report also confirms that the recent transfer of Finance and Human Resources (HR) out of the Five Councils’ contract has been successful.

Members discussed the alterations to the contract for Corporate Services.

NB This report was Exempt.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

Members decided that the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

DECISION

That in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to in the item below, on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Members discussed the services to date and considered the positives of bringing them back inhouse including access to and ownership of data.

JCX advised that a negotiation team made up of representative of all 5 Councils had arrived at a number of which the above amount is the portion for which Hart District Council is responsible.

DECISION

Members agreed the recommendation as it stood but that a further appendix be provided to Members with costed options included.

The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme is attached for consideration and amendment.

The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme was considered and it was noted that the Car Parking Charges should be a full report and that the Waste Management Contract had been added.

The Chairman suggested it would be useful to add an update from the Climate Change Working Group and an update on Pedestrianisation of Fleet Road.