Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R J Frost and K Mills.

It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, Councillor P J Hawkins had been appointed as substitute member for Councillor K Mills.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 24 April 2018, 15 May 2018, 5 June 2018 and 3 July 2018 (to follow).

The Minutes of the meetings held on 24 April 2018, 15 May 2018 and 3 June 2018were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Please note that in accordance with the agreed Protocol for Public Speaking at Overview and Scrutiny, the right to speak only applies to agenda items 11, 12 and 13.

The right of the public to speak does not apply to the following agenda items: Apologies, Appointment of Substitute Members, Declarations of Interest, Minutes, the Forward Plan, the Scrutiny Work Programme, any agenda item that is not accompanied by a written report and items that are exempt business.

Members of the public wishing to speak must register to do so by no later than 2.00 pm on the second working day before the meeting.

The Democratic Services Manager advised that no members of the public had registered to speak on items on the agenda to which the public speaking protocol applied.

There were no decisions taken by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 10 September 2018 in respect of recommendations from the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee.

Members received the decisions of the Cabinet relating to recommendations made by the Committee.

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet decisions relating to recommendations from the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee be noted.

There were no items of business.

(a)    Items placed on the agenda by a Member of the Committee or any individual Non-Executive Member

       Any individual Councillor may request that a matter is placed on the agenda of one of the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committees by providing Democratic Support with notice of the matter prior to the agenda being published.

       There are no items for consideration.

(b)    Items the subject of Call-In

       Executive Decisions may be called-in by the Chairman or Spokesperson of the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee or any three non-executive members.

       There are no items for consideration.

(c)    Public Petition

       There are no items for consideration.

There were no items of business.

The Democratic Services Manager presented the Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions to the Committee for its consideration.

RESOLVED:   That the Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions be noted.

The Democratic Services Manager presented the Scrutiny Work Programme to the Committee for its consideration.

RESOLVED:  That the Work Programme be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

The Director of Finance, Housing and Community introduced the Performance Report Quarter 1 2018/19.

There were 4 red performance indicators (out of 31 total indicators) for Quarter 1 as followed:

East Kent Housing

·         EKHL1 (Average time taken to re-let council dwellings)

·         EKHC2 (Rent arrears as % of annual debit)

·         EKHC3 (Former tenant arrears as % of annual debit)

Dover District Council

·         HOU010b (Number of households in bed and breakfast – last day of the quarter)

The Chief Executive of East Kent Housing advised that in respect of indicator EKHL1, this was due to problems with the contractor turning around empty properties and it was expected that it would be back on track by Quarter 2 2018/19.

In respect of the arrears, it was stated that 7 people per day were moving onto Universal Credit in the district and according to national studies it could on average take up to 2 years for arrears arising from Universal Credit to be resolved.

In respect of amber indicator EKHM5 (percentage of properties with a valid gas safety certification) it was stated that this was down to a single property where they were having problems obtaining access.

Members were advised that the Council had purchased a number of properties to boost the amount of council owned temporary accommodation in order to get people out of bed and breakfast and was looking at other solutions.

RESOLVED: That the Performance Report Quart 1, 2018/19 be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

The Chief Executive presented the Planning Enforcement Plan.

Members were advised that planning enforcement had been moved into the regulatory services section as there was a better synergy in grouping the Council’s main enforcement areas together and it offered the opportunity to build a stronger enforcement culture, particularly where multiple offenses were being committed. There would also be increased transparency and accountability through the updated Planning Enforcement Plan.

Members called for improved communication and engagement with the public so that it was clear as to what the Council could and could not take enforcement action in respect of, including the use of posters and other visual material.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

The Senior Policy Planner presented the report on the Statement of Community Involvement.

Members were advised that the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) set out how, when and where the Council would consult with local and statutory stakeholders both during production of development plan documents, and within the development management function. The Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 introduced a number of additional requirements for SCIs, the most significant of which was to set out the Council’s policies for giving advice or assistance in relation to Neighbourhood Planning. As a result, a replacement SCI was drafted for consultation which took account these changes through an updated SCI.

Councillor S C Manion pointed out that the document made reference to the PCT (Primary Care Trust) when it should refer to the CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) and it was agreed that this would be updated in the document.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.