Agenda item

To agree the reports of the Preferred Registered Providers Task and Finish Group and the Local Cycling, Walking and Infrastructure Plan Task and Finish Group, and to agree the formation of the Active Travel Task and Finish Group.

The Committee considered a report, set out in agenda pages 27 to 48 and supplementary agenda pages 3 to 12, which set out the reports of the Preferred Registered Providers (PRP) Task and Finish Group and the Local Cycling, Walking and Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) Task and Finish Group.

PRP Task and Finish Group

Shirley Boyt, PRP Task and Finish Group Chair, stated that there had been a previous focus on delivery of social housing, whilst this report emphasised the need for increased tenant involvement and tenant satisfaction measures. The Group had provided Members with a greater understanding of the processes underpinning social housing delivery and management within the Borough.

It was noted that the report would promote a much-improved approach to tenant involvement.

In response to a query regarding how the PRPs were involved in this process, it was noted that the Chair of the Group had sat on the interviews with prospective PRPs. In addition, tenants of PRPs had been sent surveys which had provided context for the Group.

It was noted that, if agreed at the Executive, the Group’s recommendations would be included within the partnership agreement with PRPs, to be signed in April 2023.

In response to a query regarding the powers of the housing Ombudsman, it was noted that the new Government White Paper would provide them with increased powers.

LCWIP Task and Finish Group

Al Neal, LCWIP Task and Finish Group Chair, stated that the Group had met on 2 occasions and had received a considerable amount of detail and data. Due to timescales and the quantity of data provided to the Group, the Group resolved to focus on the draft LCWIP report document. Individual schemes were proposed to be considered by the Active Travel Task and Finish Group prior to public consultation.

It was noted that the Group was pleased to see schemes being re-considered where they had received a considerable amount of criticism.

It was noted that the proposed Active travel Task and Finish Group would assess the LCWIP document on a 6-monthly basis and scrutinise specific schemes prior to consultation. It was recommended that this Group initially consist of the same membership as the LCWIP Task and Finish Group, and subsequent membership was to be agreed annually at the first meeting of the municipal year of the Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Active Travel Task and Finish Group would likely be required to meet periodically for a number of years, assessing developments to the LCWIP and scrutinising detailed design proposals for specific projects as and when bids were submitted. Whilst the core Group would assess the LCWIP document on a 6-monthly basis, relevant Ward Members and Town and Parish Council representatives would be included in meetings relating to detailed design of specific schemes prior to public consultation.

It was requested that officers consider whether the Active Travel Task and Finish Group could be renamed to something such as a ‘Working Group’ or ‘Select Committee’, as the Group was proposed to exist for a considerable length of time with no set ‘finish’ date.

RESOLVED That the Committee:

1)      Thanked Callum Wernham for attending the meeting;

2)      Considered and agreed the Preferred Registered Providers Task and Finish Group report, set out within the supplementary agenda;

3)      Considered and agreed the Local Cycling, Walking and Infrastructure Plan Task and Finish Group report, set out as Appendix 2 to the report;

4)      Confirmed the formation of the Active Travel Task and Finish Group, to assess the LCWIP on a 6-monthly basis and to scrutinise specific schemes prior to consultation;

5)      Noted that the Active Travel Task and Finish Group would provide periodic updates to the Committee, on the work undertaken since the last update;

6)      Requested officers to consider whether the Active Travel Task and Finish Group could be renamed, for example to a Working Group.