Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J M Heron, S C Manion and K Mills.

It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, Councillors B Gardner and P J Hawkins had been appointed as substitute member for Councillors J M Heron and K Mills respectively.

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 attached Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 3 July 2018, 11 September 2018, 2 October 2018, 6 November 2018 and 13 November 2018.

The consideration of the Minutes were deferred.

Please note that in accordance with the agreed Protocol for Public Speaking at Overview and Scrutiny, the right to speak does not apply to any of the agenda items.

For information, 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.

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 3 December 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 for consideration.

(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 for consideration.

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

Councillor B Gardner requested that the committee receive an update in respect of the granting an easement at Matthews Close, Deal.

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

(b)   That the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets be requested to provide a report to a future meeting updating the committee on the granting of an easement at Matthews Close, Deal.

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

Councillor M I Cosin requested that a meeting be held to look at the academisation of schools in Deal to which representatives of Kent County Council and the appropriate head teachers be invited.  

RESOLVED: That the Work Programme be noted, subject to the inclusion of an item on the academisation of schools in Deal.

To receive an update from Civica on Customer Service Key Performance Indicators.

This item had been withdrawn to be rescheduled for a future date.

To receive an update on Universal Credit.

The Director of Customer Service (East Kent Housing) presented an update on Universal Credit. In addition, the committee welcomed Mrs Lee representing the local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

The Committee was advised that the Council provided the CAB with some financial support to assist people dealing with Universal Credit claims. The CAB used this support to assist the claimant send off the claim and provide help until they received their first payment. As Universal Credit consolidated a number of benefits, this was time consuming work and it was more complex when dealing with the claims of non-UK nationals.

In respect of a question concerning benefit claimants moving into the area from outside the district, it was stated that this was one of the triggers for Universal Credit eligibility.

Mrs Lee advised that in April 2019 the CAB would be starting some social policy work that would provide for more accurate figures on the impact of Universal Credit. However, she was aware that the Dover foodbank had seen a 10% rise in use and a 65% rise in food vouchers. In response to a question it was stated that the transition to Universal Credit was having an impact on the wellbeing and mental health of some claimants.

In response to a question over the profile of tenants, the Director of Customer Services advised that more EKH tenants were on legacy benefits than private sector housing tenants.

RESOLVED:  (a)   That the update be noted.

                        (b)   That a further update be received in three months.