Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2022 were signed as a correct record.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda, in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

None declared.

To answer questions from members of the public – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm on a working day, allowing two clear working days before the day of the meeting.

None received.

To hear representations from members of the public on items which appear on the agenda – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received.

To consider the draft Policy.

The Housing Manager provided the Committee an overview of the review of the Housing Grants and Assistance Policy.

The policy was being updated to reflect the introduction of the Adult Social Care Reform White paper and the Disabled Facilities Grants (DGF) delivery. The refreshed policy was due to go to the Executive for approval in January 2023.

The review also included a recommendation for the introduction of a handy person service to provide a rapid response to urgent safety issues which were hazardous to a person’s individual needs and enable them to be safe within their homes. To fulfil this the Council would work with third sector organisations to support and deliver this service. This was to be a pilot project to be monitored for 12 months.

Councillor C McCarron-Holmes moved a recommendation that the Executive recommends to the new Cumberland Authority that a housing stock condition survey be carried out on all older buildings in the area including a whole household system audit.

This was seconded by Councillor A Smith.

The committee agreed the recommendation.

Agreed

That the update be noted.

Members considered the Quarter 2 Performance Report 2022/23 as measured by key projects/activities and key performance indicators (KPIs) set out in the Delivery Plan 2022/23.

The Strategic Advisor (Corporate) provided a brief summary on the report confirming 43 out of 47 KPIs were Green (on track) and 2 Amber (close to target). Two projects had been completed.

The Committee congratulated staff for the second successive quarterly drop in the number of complaints as shown in the report.

With regards to the project ‘Develop full options appraisal for leisure centre provision in Keswick’ members asked when the feasible options and recommendations paper was due out and asked to see a copy once available.

It was agreed to add this as an item for the January OSC meeting.

With regards to the project ‘Carry out feasibility study into provision of  BMX track in Workington’ members commented that Cockermouth Town Council received regular requests for a track in the town and asked if they could see a copy of the report for information.

Agreed

That the contents of the report be noted.

The Committee considered the quarterly finance update report for the period April to September 2022.

Members queried what was to happen to the projected underspends being reported, were they to be brought forward to be spent before 31 March or would they transfer to the new Cumberland authority.

A response would be sought following the meeting.

Agreed

That the Finance update report be noted.

The Specialist – Policy provided members with a verbal update on LGR.

The staff allocation process was still ongoing for the Cumbria County Council staff.

The recruitment process for two key roles for Cumberland was underway, the closing date for applications for the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing and the Director of Children and Family Wellbeing was the 8 January 2023.

Resolved

That the update be noted.

This item was deferred until the next meeting whilst the committee wait for additional responses.

Agreed

That the item be included on the January agenda.

Members enquired about the timetable for the Cumberland Sports Village, in particular around consideration of the Business Case, and requested that the Programme Director Workington attends the January Scrutiny Committee meeting to provide an update.

The Forward Plan was noted.

Members noted the work programme and discussed the expected items for the next meeting on Friday 13 January 2023.

It was noted that the final report of the Access to Health TFG was expected for sign off at the January meeting.

The Chair requested that a new item be added for the March 2023 meeting for consideration of final feedback from Outside Body representatives.

Updates were provided on the TFGs;

The Final report of the Customer Services TFG was tabled at the meeting for members consideration and sign off.

Councillor M Grainger as Chair of the TFG thanked everyone involved for their work and moved the report. Councillor S Lansbury seconded the report. Members were very pleased with the recommendations being tabled and commented that the Council needed to work hard to communicate them to the new Cumberland Authority.

The Committee approved the report.

Access to Health TFG – the final report was due for sign off at the January meeting.

Democratic Participation TFG – members were informed that this TFG was due to commence and following a further call for volunteers to be involved Councillors C Armstrong, M Grainger and A Smith agreed to join the group.