The period allowed for written and oral questions is 60 minutes.

Oral questions would be taken after the written questions responses, time allowing.  A member can ask one question to each of the Chairs.

8 Written Questions had been received and responded and were  tabled in front of Members.  Members were able to ask one supplementary question if they wish.

Two written questions have been received from Cllr Garry White:

Question 1

Question for Chair of Audit and Scrutiny Committee

Will the Chair of Audit and Scrutiny publish a list of the Authority’s Statutory Obligations (primary and secondary legislation) confirming for each one which Committee under the Administration’s new structure is responsible for the appropriate oversight, performance or compliance monitoring and what second-line assurance mechanisms are in place to oversee this; can these be reported on at the next, or the subsequent, Audit and Scrutiny Committee meeting?

Response

It is good practice for the Council to ensure that the Authority’s Statutory Obligations are compliant. A report and an assurance matrix will be presented at a future Audit & Scrutiny Committee and then reported on a yearly basis.

Question 2

Question for Chair of Housing, Health and Community

Is the new Brentwood Joint Administration committed to the delivery of the agreed council homes programmes as per the February SHDP update:

• Brookfield Close & Courage Court (62 Homes),
• Harewood Regeneration (c.40 homes),
• Willingale Close (3 Homes),
• Ingleton House,
• Highwood Close,
• Sir Francis Way (4 homes),
• Four Oaks;

What are the current estimates for dates for completion / occupation of each of the above schemes, and what are the current number of homes expected to be delivered at each location (please include any other locations with anticipated housing development in the confirmed list)?

Response

The current SHDP programme is a set out in the table attached this report (Pipeline June 2023) this contains current estimated completion dates; delivery of units is planned throughout the construction process at each scheme, once contracts are let more detailed end stop dates are inserted and reported to members.  Please note the pipeline table is update quarterly by the SHDP Team and  contracts being let subject to procurement and market conditions.

Two written questions have been received from Cllr Mellissa Slade:

Question 3

Question for Chair of Housing, Health and Community

How many current cases are there of Damp and Mound in Council properties that are noted as requiring works or interventions to resolve; how many cases are outstanding the review of a complaint, or an initial, or a follow-up visit to review historic cases, by the housing technical team to identify whether such work may be required? 

Response

As of 19^th June 2023 there are nine cases that have been inspected and are waiting for remedial works to be carried out.  A further 22 cases have had initial works completed and are being actively monitored by the Council’s Asset Management Team.  There are no cases wating for assessment.  All ongoing cases are monitored on a weekly basis by the Corporate Manager for Repairs and Asset Management.

Question 4

Question for the Chair of Planning and Licensing

At a recent excellent Portal member training session, I asked if it was possible for a full list of the planning codes could be added to the Portal.

Therefore, I ask Cllr Mynott in his capacity of Chair of Planning if he will both support and assist with the installation my request, to ensure all Cllrs have an easily accessible, complete list of Planning Codes.

Response

Thank you for your question. I confirm that the relevant planning codes will be added to the member portal for reference.

Two written questions have been received by Cllr Keith Barber:

Question 5

Question for Chair of Housing, Health and Community

Can you confirm whether the administration group intend to reverse the decision for Ingleton House to be retained in the strategic housing delivery programme; if so can you confirm the estimated annual cost (inc. opportunity cost) to the council of leaving the building vacant including utilities, council tax, other standing payments and officer time (plus loss of income from the properties had they been occupied); can you also confirm from which budget these costs would be provisioned and the consequential impact on other housing investment or reserves ?

 Response

The Council intends to progress the redevelopment of Ingleton House as part of the SHDP programme.  A planning application is assumed to be submitted November 2023.

Question 6

Question to the Chair of Finance, Assets, Investments and Recovery

Can you confirm whether under the new administration the council is considering leaving the Brentwood Rochford partnership and if such a decision was taken confirm the one-off exceptional costs of breaking the agreement and the resulting on-going annual shortfall in budgets of such a move and the loss of access to shared resources?

Response

Councillor Barber, as Leader of the Council I would like to response to your question.

In response to the first part of your question, I would refer you to the Leader’s  Statement delivered at the May Annual Council when I outlined that this new administration would be reviewing the Rochford Partnership in all of its aspects, including staffing levels, financial penalties and, more importantly, the affects of service delivery for our residents. 

When this review has been completed, if there is to be a change, I will inform you, along with the rest of the Council. 

Regarding the second part of your question over future budgets, since the first part has still to be decided, it clearly renders the second part as irrelevant. Additionally, I would add at this point that it is disappointing that the incoming administration find themselves handcuffed with legally enforceable financial implications should it be decided that the Brentwood/Rochford partnership be dissolved 

I said in my Leader’s statement and to refresh your memory that this administration believes our staff are our greatest asset.  The Rochford Partnership agreement the former Conservative administration committed us to relies on the reduction of staffing levels.  This Joint Administration believe that the expertise, local knowledge and committed loyalty of our staff to Brentwood justifies a review of the Partnership before the loss of any further staff is considered. 

Two written questions have been received by Cllr Mark Reed:

Question 7

Question for Chair of Finance, Assets, Investments and Recovery

The current council budget was set following public consultation in September and October last year, the information from the survey being available for use by Councillors as they set the budget and council tax for 2023/24.  Will the Brentwood Joint Administration commit to undertaking public consultation with local residents in advance of bringing forward any amendments to the current budget, or proposals for how the council funds and resources its services for future years?

Response

It is worth noting that it is normal for budgets to be amended during the year. The last administration presided over amendments to the 2022/23 original budget which were approved in accordance with our constitution. Whilst a lot of work goes into preparing the annual Budget, it is, at the end of the day, our best estimate at the time the Budget is approved. Events, both external and internal, need to be reflected in changes to the allocation of resources, including financial resources. Depending on the nature of the changes, there may be consultation with stakeholders.  

I can assure Cllr Reed that plans are already being developed to conduct the normal public consultation in the autumn, which will inform the Council in its deliberations regarding the 2024/25 Budget. 

Question 8

Question of Chair of Staff Appointments Committee

The remit of the Staff Appointments Committee is to appoint designated officers, and other posts as may be determined from time to time by Group Leaders in consultation with the Chief Executive.  It is also remitted to comply with the requirements set out in Chapter 4 of the Constitution (Staff Employment Procedure Rules) which include Rule 4.8.5 “Appointment of Non Statutory Chief Officers (Director and Heads of Service)” .  Can the Chair therefore set out what the plans and timeframes are to make permanent appointments to vacant and interim-filled roles in the Strategic Leadership Team?

Response

I am sure that fellow members will be aware that the responsibility for ensuring that the Council has adequate staffing provision lies with the Head of Paid Service. Therefore, I have consulted our Chief Executive, Jonathan Stephenson, who has advised me that he is keeping the interim arrangements under review and will consider permanent recruitment later this year.