Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 13^th August 2022 are attached to be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The minutes of 9^th August 2022 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 Dorn and Butler, Councillors Forster and Kinnell attended as  Substitutes.

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 were made.

No announcements were 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 online.

None.

To seek views on the 2035 Net Zero Operational Road Map and Net Zero Carbon Action Plan, prior to these reports being considered by Cabinet.

RECOMMENDATION

That Overview and Scrutiny Committee consider and comments on:

a.       The 2035 Net Zero Operational Road Map attached at appendix 1.

b.       The Net Zero Carbon Action Plan attached at appendix 2. 

The report was introduced as a document that laid out a pathway for the Council to achieve the Carbon emission targets agreed by Full Council in April 2021. The meeting was told that the report highlighted where most emissions came from and the actions that the council needed to take to reduce these.

Discussion took place around the definitions used within the report for Carbon Neutral and Net Zero carbon emissions. It was felt that these should be made clearer.

Discussion took place around the reports baseline carbon footprint. It was queried as to whether calculation of the Council’s carbon footprint included scope 3 emissions. Concern was expressed that unless these emissions were included then the Council would not be able to achieve it’s agreed targets. The meeting was told that the report did recommend that the operating footprint was extended to include scope 3 emissions.

The meeting felt that the report would be more meaningful if it contained more costings and cost benefits.

DECISION

It was unanimously decided that the report should be sent to Cabinet, but that before endorsing the report Cabinet should consider the comments made by the Committee.

To review the content of the Corporate Risk Register prior to it being reviewed by Cabinet.

The meeting was presented with the Corporate Risk Register and asked for it’s opinion on the new format.

The meeting agreed that it liked the new format, stating that it was easy to read and understand. A request was made for there to be some more details with-in the categories and that where information was obtained from different reports then sign posts to those reports should be included.

DECISION

The reporting of the Corporate Risk Register to Cabinet should be delayed until the November meeting, allowing these changes to be made.

This is a report from the Housing Company Scrutiny Panel and provides an update of the performance of the company to update Overview and Scrutiny, in advance of consideration by Cabinet.

RECOMMENDATION

The recommended alterations of the Scrutiny Panel terms of reference are endorsed by Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and recommended to Cabinet for adoption.

The report was introduced and it was explained to the meeting that “Butterwood Homes” is the new name for the management company formally named “Hart Housing Property Management Company”.

The meeting was informed that the scrutiny panel had met, reviewed the companies reports and were happy with how the company was performing. It was highlighted that the properties are being let out with very little void time between lets and that there was in the pipeline a Butterwood Homes website, which would be for developers rather than the public.

The meeting was informed about the changes to the Terms of Reference for the Scrutiny Committee.

DECISION

The Committee voted to approve the alterations to the terms of reference.

Feedback from Members of the Service Panel for Corporate Services and Environmental & Technical Services

Councillor Forster declared an interest as a Hampshire County Councillor Cabinet Member; Street Cleaning and Traffic management both being agency delivered services. He also declared an interest as a company director of an Electric Charging company.

Corporate Services

Councillors Axam and Smith attended.

It was reported that although resources are stretched, all targets are being achieved and so there were no concerns.

Discussion took place around the KPIs relating to the missed collection of bins. A suggestion was made that the council should collect the data on missed bins itself, rather than rely on the information given by Serco. The meeting was told that this suggestion had been made and that the council did not have the resources to do this. The meeting requested that the query was raised at both the next Senior Leadership and Cabinet meeting.

Environmental and Technical Services

Councillors Axam and Farmer attended.

It was confirmed that it had been the final Environmental and Technical Services meeting, as the service was being split up and the functions reallocated into Community and Place.

The meeting expressed concern that the KPIs for these functions, which were awaiting sign off, would not be allocated to the new correct directorate.

To consider the Cabinet Work Programme.

The meeting confirmed that the Corporate Risk Register should be delayed until November.

A request was made that a draft copy of the “Swan Inn Report” was presented to the Odiham ward before the report is reviewed by Cabinet.

To consider and amend the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme.

The meeting requested the Corporate Risk Register came back to O&S before the required 6 months.

The meeting also asked to see any progress that was made on the Climate Pathway report.

A query was raised as to when the Food and Health and Safety report was seen by O&S. It was agreed that this information would be circulated after the meeting.