No declarations were received.

No apologies for absence were received.

Minutes of the meeting of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee held on 17 April, 2018 attached.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee held on 17 April, 2018 were presented.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes be accepted as a correct record and be signed by the Chair.

5.05pm – Presentation to be given at meeting.

The Assistant Director – Health and Wellbeing and Private Housing Sector Manager attended to provide members with an update on the work carried out by the Council in relation to private sector housing.

The Private Sector Housing manager informed that the private sector housing stock comprises over 78 per cent of all housing stock within Chesterfield borough.

The Committee was advised of the range of statutory functions that the Council’s private housing sector team has responsibility for delivering, including:

·        Investigating and enforcing on housing complaints;

·        Handling statutory nuisance complaints;

·        Removing Category 1 Hazards, as defined in the Housing Act 2004;

·        Administering the mandatory House in Multiple Occupation licensing scheme, as set out in the Housing Act 2004;

·        Investigating harassment and illegal evictions;

·        Conducting statutory overcrowding surveys;

·        Administrating the Mobile Home Park licensing scheme and Disabled Facilities Grants;

·        Delivering financial assistance to homeowners.

In addition, the private housing sector team has responsibility for non-statutory work relating to empty homes, as well as investigating and enforcing on unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments.

Members were advised that several major legislative changes relating to the private housing sector had been made within the last 18 months, which had placed additional resource pressure on the Council to ensure that the complex legislation could be delivered.

As a direct result of the new enforcement approach that had been implemented on the back of the new legislation, the private housing sector team had received an increase in the number of referrals received.  A waiting list was introduced to manage the referrals in order of priority need.

The Private Sector Housing Manager informed that the new, upcoming Private Rented Sector Enforcement Policy would introduce a new enforcement regime, fees for service of Housing Act Notices, Civil Penalties and Rent Repayment Orders.

Members asked if, along with the new policy, the Council would look to increase the work carried out on empty homes in the borough.

The Private Sector Housing Manager advised that further resources would be required to carry out any non-statutory functions relating to empty homes, including informally encouraging owners to bring empty properties back into use and/or enforcing on owners when appropriate or necessary.

The Committee thanked the Assistant Director – Health and Wellbeing and the Private Sector Housing Manager for attending and providing the update.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

To move “That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act".

(Part 2 – Non Public Information)

RESOLVED –

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting of the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

5.50pm – Presentation attached, which will be supplemented by a verbal update at the meeting.

The Assistant Director – Health and Wellbeing and Operations Manager attended to update members on how the increased and improved studio and office space at the Healthy Living Centre has helped to improve centre performance as well as the health and wellbeing of residents.

The Operations Manager showed members images of the new Studio 2 and renovated office space at the Healthy Living Centre.  It was reported that, since the opening of Studio 2 in January 2017, an additional 16 classes had been put on, increasing the total provision at this centre to 67 classes.

Some of the new classes included Gym Tots for children aged 3 and over, Karate, and a range of different dance classes.

The Operations Manager informed that overall class participation had increased in 2017/18 on the previous year, with a notable rise in the total number of people taking part in indoor cycling classes. 

The Healthy Living Centre also saw a reduction in attrition and an increase in the total number of members, which led to a rise in overall revenue.

The Operations Manager advised that the redesign of the office space within the centre had resulted in the creation of a new, efficient, effective admin area suitable for hot desking for up to 8 members of staff, as well as an additional meeting room.  It was noted that since the new office space had been made available, it had been frequently used by officers from across the Council as a hot desking location.

Members asked how closely the Healthy Living Centre and Queens Park Sports Centre work together.

The Operations Manager advised members that the membership covers the facilities and classes at both centres, and that the sites work closely to ensure that the offers at both centres are maintained to a high, competitive standard.

Members asked how new trends are monitored and incorporated within the offer for members.

The Operations Manager advised that a range of information sources are closely monitored to ensure that the Healthy Living Centre is up to date with new health, wellbeing and fitness trends.  The Committee heard that the use of virtual technology was being explored as a means of supplementing the current offer, and providing cover for instructor-led classes should an instructor become suddenly unavailable.

The Committee thanked the Assistant Director – Health and Wellbeing and Operations Manager for attending and providing the update.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

6.35pm – Scrutiny Project Group updates:

·          Development of the site of the old Queen’s Park Sports Centre

·          Leisure, Sports and Cultural Activities

·          Play Strategy

Development of the Site of the Old Queen’s Park Sports Centre

The Assistant Director – Health and Wellbeing informed members that work had begun on putting together a formal planning application for the proposed work at the site, and that an update meeting for members of the Scrutiny Project Group would take place in the near future.

Play Strategy

The Chair provided members with updated timescales for the expected completion of the public consultation on the Play Strategy, as well as when final reports were expected to be completed for approval by Cabinet.

Leisure, Sports and Cultural Activities

The Chair advised that there was no update to be provided to the Committee at this meeting.

Friends Groups

Councillor Caulfield, Lead Member of the Scrutiny Project Group, advised members of the expected timescales for delivery of the recommendations of the group.

RESOLVED –

That the updates on the Scrutiny Project Groups be noted.

That after the consideration of items containing exempt information, the public be re-admitted to the meeting.

(Part 3 – Public Information)

RESOLVED –

That after consideration of an item containing exempt information, the public be re-admitted to the meeting.

6.50pm – Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 June to 30 September, 2018.  Available via link below:

http://chesterfield.moderngov.co.uk/mgListPlanItems.aspx?PlanId=88&RP=134

The Forward Plan was considered.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

6.55pm – Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2018/19, and Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2018/19, attached.

The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2018/19 and the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2018/19 were considered.

RESOLVED –

That the Work Programmes be noted.

7.00pm – Monitoring Schedule attached.

The Monitoring Schedule was considered.

RESOLVED –

That the Monitoring Schedule be approved.

7.05pm – Update on Housing Revenue Account Steering Group.

Councillor Perkins advised that there was no update to be provided on the Housing Revenue Account Steering Group.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.