To confirm the record of the meeting of the Growth, Infrastructure and Resources Scrutiny Panel held on 15 June 2017 (previously circulated).

The Record of the Meeting of the Growth, Infrastructure and Resources Scrutiny Panel held on 15 June 2017 was confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this Agenda and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Act 1992 applies to them.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive any petitions, deputations and questions received from Members of the Public in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 217.

The total time allowed for this item shall be 30 minutes. Petitions, declarations and questions shall be dealt with in the order in which they are received. Questions may also be submitted at short notice by giving a written copy to the Committee Administrator 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.

The total time allowed for questions at short notice is 15 minutes of the total time of 30 minutes. Any petitions, deputations and questions that have been submitted with prior formal notice will take precedence over questions submitted at short notice. Any questions that are not considered within the time limit shall receive a written response after the meeting and be the subject of a report to the next meeting.

No petitions, deputations or questions had been received.

To consider any questions with notice from Members received in accordance with the provisions of Procedure rule No.219 and No. 219A.

No questions with notice had been received from Members.

To consider any Notices of Motion from Members submitted in accordance

with the provisions of Procedure Rule No. 220.

No notices of motion had been received from Members.

To consider any matter referred to the panel for a decision in relation to call in of a decision which relates to this Scrutiny Panel’s remit and items on the Agenda.

No matter had been referred to the Panel for a decision in relation to call-in of a decision in accordance with Procedure Rule 206.

To receive Report No. 141/2017 from the Chief Executive.

(Report circulated under separate cover)

Report No. 141/2017 was received from the Chief Executive.

During discussion the following points were noted:

                  i.        Mr Brown questioned whether it was normal that there was more absence in winter than summer. Mrs Mogg noted that it is generally expected, and would circulate further information as the management team analyse this data.

                 ii.        It was noted that the planning application targets are nationally set, however the targets may not be appropriate to Rutland as the Council has generally hit the 100% mark and the targets were significantly lower.

               iii.        Fly tipping was still being monitored. The Council investigates where possible to identify the culprit.

               iv.        Composters would be promoted if the charge for green bins was approved.

                 v.        Affordable housing has remained an issue, but this was being addressed. It was noted that people brought up in Rutland tended to move to places such as Northamptonshire rather than stay in Rutland as there were cheaper housing options. Housing developers had focused on developing larger houses, but it was hoped that development of the St George’s Barracks site could address this issue.

AGREED

That the Panel NOTED the content of the report.

To receive Report No. 147/2017 from the Director for Resources.

(Report circulated under separate cover)

Report No. 147 was received from the Director for Resources.

AGREED

That the Panel NOTED the content of the report.

To receive Report No.148/2017 from the Director for Resources.

·       Report 148/2017 (pages 5 - 18 of this agenda) was presented at Cabinet on 15 August 2017 and the recommendations approved.

·       The consultation is ongoing and closes on 15 September 2017.

·       The Scrutiny Panel is asked to consider the proposals that are being consulted upon and provide their views at this stage, to the Director and Portfolio Holder.

·       Cabinet will make recommendations to Council for any changes that are required following the consultation.

Report No. 148/2017 was received from the Director for Resources.

During discussion the follow points were noted:

                  i.        The consultation had been sent out to a select number of groups that would be involved in the review.

                 ii.        There would be an element of how RCC compare to other Local Authorities, when recommendations go to Cabinet.

               iii.        If applied it would mean an income equivalent of a 1% tax rise.

               iv.        Responses so far from the consultation had been broadly supportive.

AGREED

That the Panel NOTED the content of the report.

---oOo---

Mr West left the meeting at 8.00pm and did not return

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To receive a presentation from the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport).

A presentation was received from the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport), Dave Brown.

During discussion the following points were noted:

                  i.        The Chair asked the Panel what approach should be taken in regards to Parish/Town Councils taking on more responsibilities.

                 ii.        An issue was raised that there had been a high number of resignations from Parish Councillors; the workload had increased for the Clerks and Councillors with legislations that needed to be discussed that led to agendas with 40 items.

               iii.        Transparency code requirements have not been met by some Parish/Town Councils.

               iv.        Planning training has been set up for Parishes on 28^th September 2017.

                 v.        The Chair suggested that a Working Party of Members be created to provide an approach. The Party would gather evidence, provide updates to each of the panel meetings, and formulate a timescale.

               vi.        It was noted that this would need to go through Council to be set up.

AGREED

The Panel RECOMMENDS that a working party be established to look at Localism and report back to the Growth, Infrastructure and Resources Scrutiny Panel. The Working Group would be made up of no less than four Rutland County Council Members, and would be open to all non-Cabinet Members. Terms of reference would be presented to full Council on 9 October 2017.

To consider Scrutiny issues to review.

Copies of the Forward Plan will be available at the meeting.

The Forward Plan was reviewed.

During discussion the following points were noted:

                  i.        The Chair suggested possible agenda items for future Scrutiny Panels:

a)    Local Plan Consultation Draft

b)    Update from the Localism Working Party

c)    Fees and Charges

d)    Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

To receive any other items of urgent business which have been previously notified to the person presiding.

There was no other urgent business.

Thursday 16 November 2017 at 7pm

Items to include:       Q2 Performance Management Report

Q2 Finance Management Report

Thursday 16 November 2017 at 7pm

Items to include:       Q2 Performance Management Report

                                    Q2 Financial Management Report