Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bliss, Brightman, Deville, Dhillon and Hurhangee, with Councillors Allen, Eginton, Rodrigues and Tuckwell substituting.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

It was confirmed that all items were Part I and would be considered in public.

The Chairman noted that the draft report had been sent to Members, and asked that any comments on the document be submitted to either the Chairman or Democratic Services Officer by Monday 22 April 2019.

Members sought clarification on Recommendation 6, and asked whether further information could be included on the hours that the Control Room is manned, however it was noted that the Committee had agreed the recommendations at the previous meeting.

The Committee also noted that issues could arise, not only within housing estates, but also with registered landlords, and Councillors noted that this could be built into the discussion section of the review.

The Committee agreed that they were happy with the draft report and recommendations, endorsed the document, and then delegated authority to for the drafting of the final report to the relevant officers, under consultation with the Chairman and Labour Lead Member.

RESOLVED: That the Committee delegate authority for the drafting of the Committee’s final report to the relevant officers, in consultation with the Chairman and Labour Lead Member.

The Committee noted that, with the conclusion of the previous reviews, a new review topic was required to take forward in 2019/20 as part of the two-year work programme.

It was suggested that the Committee consider looking at local commerce, employment, skills and job creation as this review topic, taking into account the work with Uxbridge College and Job Centre Plus in the Borough, in addition to the use of Section 106 allocations. Councillors also suggested that this topic could include the Council’s support for local small businesses and their partnerships with the public sector.

Members also stated that a review into Community Cohesion could be another review topic, and while it was noted that a review into this topic took place in 2013, the Borough will have changed substantially since that time.

It was also requested for consideration to be given to a review in Enforcement, and to understand what specific areas within the Council and Committee’s remit could be included in such a review.

RESOLVED: It was agreed to take forward the suggestions for a review and agree that a scoping report be brought to the next Committee meeting for any suitable review topics.

RESOLVED: That the forward plan be noted.

Members noted the change in location to Committee Room 5 for the next cycle of meetings reflected the suggestions from the Committee in Review B: Broadcasting of Policy Overview and Scrutiny meetings.

It was agreed that Review C be added to the work programme, including the scoping report and potential dates for witness sessions and the review process.

RESOLVED: That the work programme 2018/19 be noted, subject to the addition of Review C.