The report before Member’s was to adopt the Member’s Training Programme for the new municipal year 2018/19.

Overall, Members welcomed the training programme. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Ms Rowlands  and SECONDED by Cllr Tumbridge to approve the recommendation in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

That the Committee adopts the Member’s Training Programme (Appendix A of the report) for 2018/2019.

Reasons for Recommendation

To provide a Member’s Training Programme in line with best practice.

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) conducts periodic inspections of local authorities’ use of their powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). The purpose of these inspections was to examine the Council’s policies, procedures, operations and administration in relation to directed surveillance and covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) under RIPA.

The last inspection took place on 16th August 2017 and although it was noted  that there had been no directed surveillance or CHIS been requested since 21st July 2014 the inspector made one recommendation which required a number of parts of Corporate RIPA policy to be updated and amended. In addition, the Inspector, while not a subject of a Recommendation, pointed out that the issue of the dual role of Senior Responsible Officer (SRO)/ Authorising Officer (AO) being exercised by one officer should be avoided. The roles should be separated. The purpose of the SRO was to maintain general oversight of RIPA compliance, including the integrity of the authorisation process, while the AO’s role was solely to authorise requested activity. There were some minor changes as set out in 4.2 iii & iv . The report would enable members to generally review the RIPA activity since the last report and implement the recommendation as contained in attached Corporate RIPA policy document.

Cllr Tumbridge MOVED and Cllr Cloke SECONDED an additional recommendation:

3. That Appendix 4 (of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Corporate Policy – June 2018 – Appendix A of the report) be brought back for review with the data protection compliance report at the next meeting. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands for the additional recommendation which was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY. 

On the original recommendations, a motion was MOVED by Cllr Ms Rowlands and SECONDED by Cllr Cloke to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    That the Committee approves the amendments to the Corporate RIPA policy set out in Appendix A in accordance with the recommendation of the Surveillance Inspector.

2.    That the Committee note the statistical information relating to the

use of RIPA since September 2017.

3.    That Appendix 4 (of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Corporate Policy – June 2018 – Appendix A of the report) be brought back for review with the data protection compliance report at the next meeting. 

Reasons for Recommendation

To implement the recommendation made by the Surveillance Inspector and changes in law and to assist with Members’ oversight and decision making in relation to the attached RIPA Policy.

The report updated members of the Regulatory & Governance Committee on the status of the Council’s 2018/19 Strategic Risk Register and the progress being made across Services in delivering Operational Risk Registers.

The strategic risk register had been reviewed by senior officers and risk scored had been adjusted accordingly. 

Members suggested that all risks had associated target dates to monitor progress.

Cllr Tumbridge MOVED and Cllr Ms Rowlands SECONDED to approve the recommendation in the report subject to the following amendment:

1.    To agree the amendments to the Strategic Risk Register, as shown in Appendix A (of the report), and that the risk scores recorded for each risk accurately represents the current status of each risk with the exception of risks 5 and 11 which should be raised to “red”.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED:

1.    To agree the amendments to the Strategic Risk Register, as shown in Appendix A (of the report), and that the risk scores recorded for each risk accurately represents the current status of each risk with the exception of risks 5 and 11 which should be raised to “red”.

2.    To agree the risk exposure changes, as shown in Appendix B (of the report), to the Operational Risks.

Reasons for Recommendation

Risk Management continued to be embedded quarterly within the Senior Management Team reports, where Service Heads discussed the top-level risks for their service areas to ensure that the risks were updated to reflect the ongoing changes.

In addition, the Risk & Insurance Officer would continue to work with risk managers to maintain the good progress to date and further develop a consistent application of risk management considerations across all operations of the Council.

The report before the Sub-Committee provided information relating to an application for a new premises license in respect of Sports Lounge, First Floor, 40 High Street, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4AJ.

Members were requested to determine the application having regard to the operating schedule, the representations received, the Council’s Statement of licensing policy and the four Licensing objectives.

Members were reminded that an authorisation was required in respect of any premises where it was intended to conduct one or more of the four licensable activities, these being:

·         Sale of alcohol

·         Supply of alcohol (in respect of a club)

·         Regulated Entertainment

·         Provision of Late Night Refreshment

An appropriate authorisation was either a premises licence, a club premises certificate or a Temporary Event Notice.

Licence holders were required, when offering any licensable activity, to ensure that they promoted the licensing objectives at all times. The operating schedule of the application contained details of the activities applied for and the control measures that the applicant would have in place in order to promote these objectives. Such measures would, where appropriate, be converted into enforceable conditions on any licence issued.

The four licensing objectives were;

·         Prevention of crime and disorder

·         Prevention of public nuisance

·         Public safety

·         Protection of children from harm

Any representation must be able to demonstrate that on the balance of probability the application in its current form would fail to adequately promote one or more of the licensing objectives. No other matters might be considered.

The application was received on 14^th May 2018 from AA Trading Ltd in respect of Sports Lounge, First Floor, 40 High Street, Brentwood CM14 4AJ,  A copy of the application was appended to the report in the agenda as Appendix 1. 

The premises at the time was a first floor snooker/pool hall and sports bar situated above retail shops in Brentwood High Street, and was licensed for the Sale by Retail of Alcohol and indoor Sporting Events.  An OS Street Map and frontage images to better identify the location was appended to the report as Appendix 2. 

The applicant sought a new premises license to conduct the following licensable activity:

·         Supply of Alcohol – 11:00 – 02:00 Monday to Sunday

·         Indoor Sporting Events – 11:00 to 02:00 Monday to Sunday

·         Recorded Music – 11:00 to 02:00 Monday to Sunday

Three valid representations had been received from two Responsible Authorities and one interested party. 

The first representation was from the Environmental Health team, which related to potential public nuisance that was likely to arise with the introduction of recorded music as a licensable activity and opening up an outside area with no acoustic reduction measures being proposed. 

The second representation was from the Licensing Authority supporting the public nuisance concerns of the Environmental Health Officer and the increased risk to public safety relating to the use of an outside area and its lack of supervision and other safeguards.  A full representation was appended to the report at Appendix 4. 

The third representation was from an interested party, Mr Rockall, the proprietor of the Heart of Gold Jewellers hops immediately below the Sports Lounge, and related to increased noise and littering as a public nuisance and had security, crime and disorder, concerns relating to the rear of the premises.  A copy of the full representation was appended to the report at Appendix 5. 

Members were reminded that any matters recorded in the Operating Schedule (Section O of the application form) would become conditions on the license if the application was granted.

The following conditions were mutually agreed between the Responsible Authorities and the applicant’s agent, Mr Dadds to constitute as standard conditions:

1.    A noise limiter shall be fitted and set to the satisfaction of Environmental Health Services. The level of the noise limiter shall be set with the rear fire exit door open and monitored at the nearest residential noise sensitive premises. 

2.    All windows and doors to be kept closed during regulated entertainment, with the exception for access and egress.

3.    The External area shall be monitored by a member of staff with the purpose of controlling noise from customers and ensuring public safety.

4.    The outside terrace area to be covered by CCTV to the satisfaction of Essex Police.

5.    The premises is only to serve drinks in polycarbonate, plastic or other safety glass only.

Following the representations made by the Responsible Authorities, Mr Dadds, the applicants agent addressed the sub-committee in support of the application and in response to the concerns outlined by the Responsible Authorities representatives.  

The Sub-Committee considered the written and oral information provided and advised that having listened to the application and having balanced the written and oral objections received against the licensing objectives to GRANT the application subject to the following conditions, being:-

1.    The terrace to be monitored by a staff member at intervals of no more than 30 minutes.

2.    The maximum capacity for the terrace to be a maximum of 30 people at any given time.

3.    No alcohol to be supplied after 11pm.

4.    Noise at the premises limited after 11pm to a decibel level to be agreed with Environmental Health Department of the Council. A noise limiter shall be fitted and set to the satisfaction of Environmental Health Services. The level of the noise limiter shall be set with the rear fire exit door open and monitored at the nearest residential noise sensitive premises. 

5.    Sufficient lighting to be maintained on the terrace during licensable hours and for the lighting to be monitored and agreed with the Environmental Health Department of the Council. 

The Committee advised that the full decision notice would be sent to the applicant in 5 working days.

New penalty levels for littering, graffiti, fly-posting and unauthorised distribution of free literature on designated land had recently been introduced by the Government with effect from 1st April 2018, with discretionary levels that could be set by local authorities.

The Community Safety Accredited Officers would have powers to issue these penalties. 

The report set out the new levels of these fixed penalty notices and summarises the powers available to authorised officers to issue penalties.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Bridge to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.    Members approve the new recommended maximum penalty levels set out at 4.5 of the report. 

2.    Members to approve the additional discount levels for early  payment also contained in Table 4.5 of the report.

3.    Members agree to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, Director of Operations, the General Manager Corporate Enforcement and to such officers of the Council that are nominated by any of them to issue Fixed Penalty Notices under the relevant legislation.

Reasons for Recommendation

New penalty levels were recommended at the maximum levels in order to  reflect the Council’s intention to ensure that enforcement action was effective; most of these penalties were offered as an alternative to prosecution and should therefore reflect the serious nature of the offence.

Brentwood Borough Council, in common with most other local authorities, had seen an increase in fly tipping with a cost to the Borough of over £60,000 in the previous year.

Mr Carter presented to the committee figures on fly tipping.   

The Council had focussed on ways to provide an effective and robust approach to enforcement of fly tipping in the Borough to seek to act against those responsible.

The report outlined the measures taken to date and recommended proposals aimed at increasing awareness of fly tipping problems and to further improve successful enforcement.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Bridge to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.    Members agree to consider improving the visibility of action against fly tipping using warning signage and surveillance cameras in hotspot areas.

2.    Members agree to procure a dedicated enforcement vehicle to  assist with the duties of the Street Inspector. 

3.    To review the charges for legitimate clearance against the cost to remove/enforce against fly tips and what are the likely benefits/results of a more attractive rate.

4.    That funding is taken from the Incursion Defence budget.

5.    Members note the effects of improved enforcement activities regarding waste offences and resolve to maintain regular updates to the Committee on future enforcement action. 

Reasons for Recommendation

To provide more effective, mobile and visible enforcement activity which would enables technology to assist in environmental crime and waste investigations.

Following a series of complaints and incidents in and around Brentwood Town Centre involving anti-social behaviour of several types, the Corporate Enforcement Team investigated the use of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to assist in controlling activities that were causing concern.

A draft Order was produced to address evidenced issues in the town centre following liaison with legal advisers, Essex Police, Essex Police Fire & Crime Commissioner, and stakeholders in the area proposed to be covered by the Order.

The draft Order covered the main Brentwood town centre area including the High Street and surrounding areas and incorporating roads down to Brentwood rail station.

Members supported Order being put into place and praised the work put into this and getting the officers accredited. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Bridge to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    To consider the outcome of the consultation which has been undertaken and the comments received set out in Appendix A (of the report).

2.    To approve the Final Order set out in Appendix B (of the report).

Reasons for Recommendation

To effectively address issues of anti-social behaviour in and around Brentwood Town Centre and reduce the fear of crime. To enable the use of relevant powers of enforcement needed to tackle the issues covered by the Order and to make our community safer and a more pleasant place for anyone who visits, lives or works in our town centre.

The report was to notify Members of the forthcoming Recycling events planned for the summer months. Officers would raise awareness of recycling by answering questions, providing advice and handling out rolls of orange recycling sacks and food waste bags to residents.

Members should be aware that officers from Street Scene would be working with partners of The Cleaner Greener Group on two campaigns.  One campaign would be held the early part of 2019 and would concentrate on Litter.  The second campaign planned for Autumn 2018 would continue the campaign launched the previous year #CrimeNotToCare, regarding ‘Duty of Care’ awareness to try and tackle fly-tipping issues.

A second delivery of orange sacks and food waste bags would take place in Autumn/Winter 2018; 40 sacks would be delivered in one roll to every household (excluding flats, which were on request).

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Bridge to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.    Members to note and support the arrangements for the forthcoming Summer Recycling Road shows; and to note that Brentwood Borough Council will be working again with the Cleaner Greener Group later in the year on campaigns tackling litter and fly-tipping.

2.    Members to note that a second delivery of orange sacks, food waste bags and a recycling information flyer will be made in Autumn/Winter 2018.

Reasons for Recommendation

Holding road shows could assist in helping increase awareness about recycling and gather feedback from residents about the service.

Working with partners on campaigns to raise awareness about Duty of Care, fly-tipping and litter issues would help to raise the same consistent message throughout Essex, with shared resources.

As a trial, two deliveries of orange sacks were to be made in 2017/18 in order to assess their usage and establish identifiable savings.

A benefit of having a later delivery in the year, close to the Christmas holiday period, would help to remind and encourage residents to participate in the Council’s recycling services as it was intended to deliver food waste sacks and on information flyer also.

The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) was made up of Responsible Authorities as outlined in the Crime & Disorder Act 1988 which included the Council as a key partner.

Each year the partnership had a statutory duty to carry out a Strategic Intelligence Assessment which reviewed existing priorities and identified any new or emerging priorities that the partnership should focus on.

All partners agreed the Strategic Priorities and set out in their Partnership Plan (see Appendix A of the report) how the partnership would work together over the next twelve months to tackle crime and disorder and achieve its priorities.

The CSPs Strategic Priorities for 2018/19 were:

·         Protecting People

·         Protecting Property

·         Protecting the Community

·         Protecting the Future

A set of action plans had been developed which underpinned delivery of the above priorities and set out how the partnership would work together to stimulate activity across the Borough, focusing on those activities that added value as a result of being delivered in partnership.

Ms Lilley praised the work of voluntary Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Peter Salmon who worked alongside the team. 

Cllr Hossack alongside Ms Lilley credited Daniel Cannon for the production of the CSP Plan document. 

Members endorsed the work on the Partnership Plan. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Mrs Davies to approve the recommendation in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

Members to endorse and support the work of the CSP through the Partnership Plan.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Council was one of the key partners within the CSP and it was vital that this was supported by Members to ensure that it remained effective in tackling local crime and disorder issues that affected our most vulnerable residents.

The purpose of the report was for the Committee to consider appointments to the Leisure Strategy Working Group (LSWG) and an indicative work plan, to enable officers to review the development and delivery of the Council’s Leisure Strategy.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    That any necessary changes to the Membership of the Leisure Strategy Working Group during the Municipal Year 2018/19 are made in accordance with paragraph 4.2 of the report.

2.    That Members note the indicative work plan in Appendix A for the review of Leisure Strategy, during the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

3.    Agree that the Leisure Strategy Working Group will report to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee with any recommendations.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Council’s need to ensure that options for each of the workstreams were   fully examined, reviewed and prioritised and that the Leisure Strategy delivers Value for Money, was sustainable and met the needs of Brentwood residents.

Larkins Playing Fields was one of the Council’s larger and principle open spaces in the Borough and was located in the Pilgrims Hatch ward along the Ongar Road.

The site had, since 2016, been the home of Brentwood Youth AFC.  The club came into being when Brentwood Athletic and Kelvedon Hatch decided to merge. This created a new club within Brentwood with over 400 members.

The site had three football pitches of varying sizes marked out to support the club at, what was, its home ground.

There was also an area of unused ground that could accommodate a further two pitches, however this lay wet during the winter months rendering it unusable in its current condition.

The club resided at the site on an unofficial basis with no secure tenure, their residency was secured each season via the hiring of pitches from the council for the winter sports season. This allocation was not guaranteed each year.

In order to allow the club to create a permanent base at Larkins Playing Field club representatives had approached the Council with regard to securing a licence to occupy the site on a more formal and permanent basis.

The site was designated as public open space and also had a number of restrictive covenants placed on it as part of the deed of gift when the site was given to the Council by the Larkin family.

The designation coupled with the restrictive covenants meant that there could be complications in issuing the club a licence to occupy, therefore it was felt that legal advice should be sought prior to responding to the club.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendations subject to an amendment to 2.2 :

2.2That the findings of this investigation be reported back to the next committee along with associated recommendations

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    That members instruct Officers to investigate the legal implications and restrictions that may be present in the issuing of a licence to occupy to Brentwood Youth AFC for Larkins Playing Fields. 

2.    That the findings of this investigation be reported back to the next committee along with associated recommendations.

Reasons for Recommendation

To allow Officers to establish the legal position of issuing a licence to occupy for Brentwood Youth AFC at Larkin Playing Fields.

The Council had been approached by Shenfield Cricket Club with regard to playing additional fixtures on the park field and cricket square at Courage Playing Fields.

The club had been using two fields at the site, the first was the clubs original field on the land and is the field named in the 1950 deed of gift as the “Cricket ground situate upon the property”.

The second field was the main park field and permission was granted by the Council via the Leisure, Recreation and Arts Committee on the 27^thSeptember 1993 for the club to establish a second cricket square on site due to the increase in playing members at the club.

The permission was granted with conditions, two of which were that the facility should be used for cricket on one day of the weekend and the other that the permission be reviewed at a later date [min. 304].

The later condition had never been carried out and the current arrangement had not been reviewed since 1993.

The club had requested to use the park field for additional fixtures for the season that would result in the field being used for more than one day a weekend, therefore the Chair had requested that the item be brought before  members for consideration as per the original permission.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED to approve the recommendations in the report subject to the following amendments:

2.1 That members agree the request for additional use on the second fields as per Appendix A.  that any further action required be delegated to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Chair and Ward Members. 

2.2 That a report be made to a future committee regarding the process of the future approval of the clubs fixtures. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    That members agree the request for additional use on the second fields as per Appendix A.  that any further action required be delegated to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Chair and Ward Members. 

2.    That a report be made to a future committee regarding the process of the future approval of the clubs fixtures. 

Reasons for Recommendation

To establish the Council’s position with regard to the request for additional cricket fixtures at Courage Playing Fields on the park field.

As Members were aware, Councillors approved the draft Leisure Strategy at the Community, Health and Housing Committee on 5th March 2018.

The strategy was an overarching document that drew together all the Council’s leisure and recreation opportunities within the Borough and how this could be supplied and improved to meet current and future demand of residents.

One element of the strategy was to review the provision, supply and condition of play areas within the Borough.  This work stream was identified early within  the working process of producing the leisure Strategy and had been highlighted in previous update reports.

Whilst the Leisure Strategy took a holistic view of the Boroughs leisure and recreation facilities it did not identify the specific work programmes that were required to address supply, demand and condition within each workstream.

To achieve this, supporting strategies were needed that focused more on the detail of the workstream. To this end it had been identified by Officers that  there was a need to produce a Play Area Strategy focusing specifically on the provision, supply and condition of play areas within the Borough.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Hossack SECONDED to approve the recommendations in the report subject to the following amendments:

1.    The current leisure strategy working group aids the development of a new play area strategy to be brought back to the next committee.

3.   That Members instruct Officers to undertake an ‘audit’ of the Council’s play sites to determine those areas that require more immediate attention on individual items and to report the findings of this audit back to the next committee.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    The current leisure strategy working group aids the development of a new play area strategy to be brought back to the next committee.

2.    That Members agree to and instruct Officers to commence and move forward with the refurbishment of the toddler area at Courage Playing Field, outside of the work stream for the Play Area Strategy. That this be achieved using existing resources within the capital works programme.

3.    That Members instruct Officers to undertake an ‘audit’ of the Council’s play sites to determine those areas that require more immediate attention on individual items and to report the findings of this audit back to the next committee. 

Reasons for Recommendation

To ensure that the Council had a robust strategy in place for the future provision and refurbishment of its play facilities around the Borough.

To ensure that resources, both financial and staffing could be adequately planned for as part of the Council’s medium to long term financial plan.

To ensure that the existing play area at Courage Playing Fields was refurbished and remains fit for purpose and use for the residents of Shenfield and the surrounding area.

The Leisure Strategy was one of the key strategies as set out in the Vision for Brentwood 2016-19 document. The Council had ageing facilities and needed to ensure that its leisure facilities were not only fit for purpose but for the future.

The Strategy and action plan set out the vision, what the Council needed to achieve, the challenges it faced and how the priorities and outcomes had  been identified. The Leisure Strategy was a large piece of work, so it had been split into workstreams to enable its delivery. The Strategy would cover a period of 10 years, but the supporting action plan would be a live document which would be reviewed and updated regularly to note the progress on the delivery of the Strategy.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    That Members agree the Leisure Strategy and action plan at Appendix A (of the report).

2.    That Members refer the Leisure Strategy to Policy, Projects and Resources Committee on 18 September 2018 for their consideration.

Reasons for Recommendation

As part of the Council’s due diligence in delivering a successful Leisure Strategy, Members and officers needed to have a complete picture of the current associated costs, risk profiles of the Borough’s Leisure facilities and identify opportunities for income generation.

Comments received from Sport England as part of the Local Development Plan consultation, stated that a Leisure Strategy was required that assessed Council owned sports and leisure facilities in order that the Council could continue to work with partners to ensure that appropriate provision was made for the residents of Brentwood. The strategy should have not only considered how the Council could provide services, but also how other partners could. The strategy should have also used current sports facility evidence to identify strategic priorities to then inform what would be included in the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan.  Following the feasibility work, the Council would then be able to determine which projects would be funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and those funded by planning obligations.

The Council’s Asset Management Strategy 2014/15 also set out the need to obtain maximise income where possible from its asset portfolio.

Housing Services were reviewing the usage of Council-owned Housing Revenue Account (‘HRA’) garage sites across the entire estate. The review focused on anti-social behaviour hotspots (‘ASB’) and garage account

arrears.

The report set out the background and recommendation for Committee to direct a formal scoping exercise in relation to the above. A formal exercise would allow for a more focussed, systemic and transparent approach to service provision and revenue protection.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    That Housing Services undertakes a formal scoping exercise for a full report to be submitted to the next Community, Health and Housing Committee.

2.    That the Committee formally notes the statistical headline data relating to garage sites (Appendix A of the report).

Reasons for Recommendation:

Option 1 was recommended as the most transparent for the Council and fully supported  the existing ASB and income-protection strategies. It would allow for a more detailed assessment of how garage sites could be utilised to maximise opportunities for asset development, parking and housing across the Borough.

The scoping exercise would feed into current specific site developments, as well as the wider corporate asset work being undertaken as part of the wholly-owned company (Seven Arches Investments Limited) and Joint Venture  Partnership.

Taking no further action would fail to advance corporate priorities and would be counter to our modernisation programme.

The report set out the proposals for a new Fire Safety Policy to be implemented within the Housing Department.

The Policy provided the council with the ability to effectively manage Fire Safety and fire awareness within all its residential blocks.

The Policy also met the Council's statutory requirement to have a Fire Safety Policy.

All tenants would be written to and notices to be displayed once the policy was approved.     

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED:

1.    Committee is asked to approve the Housing Services Fire Safety Policy.

2.    Committee is asked to approve the use of Evacuation Notice's for General Needs accommodation and Sheltered Schemes.

Reasons for Recommendation

It was a statutory requirement for the Council to have a Fire Safety Policy.  Failure to have one would leave the Council in a vulnerable position should a fire occur.

The report was intended to update the Community, Health & Housing Committee of the outcome of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 Audit review for Housing Services as part of the Council’s approved Audit plans for 2016/17.

The outcome of the 2016/17 internal audit review was reported to the Audit & Scrutiny Committee on the 27th September 2017.

The outcome of the 2017/18 internal audit review was reported to the Audit & Scrutiny Committee on the 14th December 2017.

Both Audit reports would enable the Housing Service to concentrate on specific areas highlighted by both Audit reports to implement the essential service improvements as part of the ongoing transformation programme.

Members requested that future audit reports would include a cover page to show comparisons of what stage the risks (high, medium or low).     

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    That the Committee receives and notes the progress made from the 5^thMarch 2018 committee report in addressing the contents of both Audit reports.

2.    That the Committee agree that a further report on progress made on implementing the recommendations is presented to the next Committee.

Reasons for Recommendation

To monitor the progress of work against the highlighted actions recommended arising from the Audit Report and management actions in response to those recommendations.

The report set out proposals to co-opt representatives of Tenants Talkback into the Community, Health and Housing Committee for housing related items, in accordance with the Council constitution.

These representatives were agreed as Chris Price and Linda Skinner. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

Tenant Talkback be invited to send two representatives to each meeting of the Community, Health and Housing Committee where housing items are to be discussed.

The representatives of Tenants Talkback be co-opted onto the committee for the duration of the consideration of these items, and have the right to speak, but not vote.

The Housing Manager be requested to arrange appropriate training of the representatives.