Agenda and minutes

Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Skills) - Tuesday 8th November, 2016 6.30 pm

Venue: The Committee Room, Town Hall, Bootle

Contact: Ruth Harrison  Senior Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

20.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

No Apologies for absence were received.

 

21.

Declarations of Interest

Members are requested to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct, before leaving the meeting room during the discussion on that particular item.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Weavers referred to Agenda Item 4 “Call In – Southport Development Framework” and stated that although he was one of the three Members that had “Called-in” the decision of Cabinet he declared that he would keep an open mind in the consideration of Agenda Item 4 “Call In – Southport Development Framework” and he would make his decision on the matter once all the representations had been made. 

 

22.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2016

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Skills) held on 20 September 2016 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

23.

Call In - Southport Development Framework pdf icon PDF 88 KB

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered (a) the report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance, which set out the decision of the Cabinet regarding the Southport Development Framework and the reasons why the decision had been called-in; and (b) the report of the Head of Regeneration and Skills that was considered by the Cabinet in relation to this matter.

 

The decision taken by the Cabinet on 6 October 2016 in relation to this matter was as follows:-

 

Decision:

 

That approval be given to the publication of the Southport Development Framework to guide future development and investment opportunities.

 

Reasons for Decision:

 

An approved Southport Development Framework would help promote the opportunity for investment and development potential that can support the Town.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

 

None - The draft framework had been the subject of extensive consultation and engagement. Various options had been considered and are contained within the draft and final documentation.

 

The Chair of the Committee, Councillor Sayers, reported on the procedure for consideration of the call-in.

 

The Senior Democratic Services Officer, Mrs. Ruth Harrison, reported on the validity of the call-in and highlighted that the call in requisition:-

 

·       had been received within the specified call-in period in accordance with Chapter 6, paragraph 37 of the Constitution;

·       had been signed by three Members of the Council who were not Members of the Cabinet, in accordance with the provisions of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules in Chapter 6, Paragraph 38 of the Council’s Constitution; and

·       referred to a specific decision made by the Cabinet and provided a reason in accordance with Chapter 6, paragraph 40 of the Constitution.

 

Councillor Keith, on behalf of Councillors Lynne Thompson and Weavers, outlined and amplified the following reasons for the call-in:-

 

We request the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Skills) to refer this item back to the Cabinet, requesting Cabinet to consider establishing a Working Party of Members to assist in developing an Action Plan for the Southport Development Framework.

 

We welcome all moves to improve Southport’s development but seek clarification of how the Cabinet’s approval of the publication of the proposed framework will guide future developments and investment opportunities and contribute towards Sefton Council policies. Paragraph 10.6 in the Southport Development framework document states that the council should develop an action plan around initiatives identified in this framework on a short medium and long-term basis. We would like to know a more precise time scale, which is essential for the plan to be put into practice, rather than the generalities given on page 55 of the Cabinet agenda from 6th October 2016 in setting up an action plan. "

 

Councillor Atkinson, Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills and Councillor Maher, Leader of the Council addressed the Committee in relation to the decision taken and responded to the representations made by Councillor Keith in relation to the call-in.  The Committee considered the comments of Ms. Paula Lowrey, Service Manager, Regeneration, on the background to this matter.

 

Councillor Keith answered questions posed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Selective and Additional (HMO) Licensing Schemes - Introduction of the Business Case pdf icon PDF 4 MB

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing in relation to Selective and Additional Housing in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing of private rented sector housing.

 

The report referred to the Sefton 2030 Vision and the way in which the ambition to improve living conditions and attract investment to improve the prosperity of Sefton would link to the Housing Strategy.

 

It was reported that Selective licensing was a power that the local authority had under the Housing Act 2004.  The Council would have the power to designate an area within the borough that required all private landlords and managing agents who operated within the area to have license for each property.  It was further reported that in order to be granted a license, landlords would have to meet certain criteria, which would include passing a fit and proper person test and providing information about their management arrangements.  Landlords would be required to adhere to license conditions set by the Council.

 

It was reported that Additional Housing in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) Licensing would operate in the same way and alongside the existing Mandatory HMO Licensing scheme that already existed across the Borough.  It was further reported that Additional HMO Licensing would require all privately rented HMO’s, which were located in designated areas, to be licensed.  

 

It was reported that the Council could consider introducing a borough-wide scheme however it was highlighted that the percentage of private rented housing across the borough was not great enough, to justify introduction of the whole district and so an application to the Secretary of State was unlikely to be supported.

 

Selective Licensing had been proposed for an area of Bootle, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

Additional (HMO) licensing had been proposed for areas in central Southport and Waterloo/Seaforth, as detailed in Appendix two to the report.   

 

Members of the Committee welcomed the introduction of Selective and Additional HMO Licensing schemes and suggested that, wherever possible, landlords be required or supported to provide tenancy agreements which are  translated in an appropriate language to assist those tenants for whom English wasn’t their first language.

 

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

 

1.       agreed that Selective and Additional HMO Licensing was the right approach to the private rented sector in Sefton;

 

2.       agreed that the proposed areas in the borough, as detailed in Appendices one and two to the report, be agreed as the designated sites for Selective and Additional HMO Licensing;

 

3.       endorsed the approach to levying Fees, as detailed in paragraph 5 to the report; and

 

4.       agreed that the draft license conditions, was appropriate to meet the schemes objective of improving standards in the private rented sector.

 

 

 

25.

Shale Gas Working Group - Update on the Implementation of Recommendations pdf icon PDF 90 KB

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing in relation to the progress on the implementation of recommendations of the Shale Gas Working Group.

 

The report referred to; the draft objectives proposed for the Cross-Regulatory Working Group, as detailed in paragraph 2.1 of the report; the Membership of the proposed Cross-Regulator Working Group, as detailed in paragraph 2.3 and Table 1 of the report and the frequency of meetings. 

 

RESOLVED: That:-

 

1.       the draft objectives proposed for the Cross-Regulatory Working Group; the Membership of the proposed Cross-Regulator Working Group and the frequency of meetings, be agreed; and

 

2.       the Committee note that, at the time of the Meeting, feedback from the Regulators in relation to  the draft objectives had not been received.   

 

 

26.

Flood and Coastal Risk - Annual Report pdf icon PDF 134 KB

Report of the Head of Locality Services - Commissioned

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Locality Services – Commissioned which referred to a stipulation contained in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requiring the Lead Local Flood Risk Authority to review and scrutinise its flood risk management functions and coastal erosion management functions.  It was reported that this had previously been agreed to be provided through the provision of an annual report.

 

The report identified the progress that had been made in the last year, highlighted key issues and set out the priorities for the following years.

 

The report referred to the progress that had been achieved in the following areas:

 

·       Sefton’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Strategy – setting out how Sefton would deliver flood and coastal erosion risk management, the investment required to deliver and the way in which the service should be delivered and the outcomes, outputs and actions defined for the service area.

·       Flood Risk Management - including engaging with communities to help them become resilient in mitigating flood risk.  The continued development of the FloodReady website which continued to provide users with tools and information to improve their understanding of flood risk and the way in which they could take ownership of individuals’ own risk.

·       Coastal Risk Management – There had been no significant incidents of flooding or erosion along the coast.  Ongoing maintenance work and planning would continue.

·       Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme – Sefton Council coordinated the monitoring programme on behalf of maritime authorities for the North West.  The programme had secured grant funding, from the Environment Agency, for the continuation of the programme for a five year period, 2016-2021.

·       Partnership Working – Sefton Council continued to work closely with other partners in Merseyside through the Merseyside Tactical and Strategic Flood Risk Partnership meetings.  The meetings look at improving cross boundary working and improved efficiencies through partnership working.  Sefton Council was also represented at the various North West and North Wales Coastal Groups.

·       Key actions by other Flood Risk Management Agencies – the Environment Agency had not taken any significant actions in Sefton over the last year as they had been dealing with the significant flood events that occurred during December 2015 in Lancashire, Cumbria and Manchester.  The Environment Agency have continued with their annual maintenance programmes and have provided support to the Maghull Flood Committee. 

United Utilities had entered into their new financial programme that covers the period 2015-2020.  The focus of the programme was to provide mitigating measures to properties.  The new programme allowed for more flexibility in funding and provided more opportunities for cooperative schemes.

 

The report referred to the following priorities for 2017:

 

·       Supporting the Local planning Authority

·       Community Engagement

·       Crosby Coastal Schemes

·       Flood and Coastal Schemes

·       Securing Capital Funding

 

RESOLVED:          

 

That the report be received.

 

27.

Town Centres Working Group - Update on the Implementation of Recommendations pdf icon PDF 137 KB

Report of the Head Inward Investment and Employment

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Investment and Employment in relation to the progress of the implementation of recommendations from the Town Centres Working Group.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the report be noted.

 

28.

Port Master Plan Working Group - Update on the Implementation of Recommendations pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Report of the Head Inward Investment and Employment

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Investment and Employment in relation to the progress of the implementation of recommendations from the Port Master Plan Working Group.

 

Members of the Committee referred to the recent opening of Liverpool 2 at Seaforth and raised concerns regarding the increase in air pollution and the negative impact that this could have on residents as a result of increased traffic accessing the port. 

 

The Chief Executive, Margaret Carney advised that the Council had and would continue to work with Peel Ports, the Highways Agency and Central Government for a multi modal solution.

 

The Chief Executive highlighted that there were other options to mitigate the increase of pollution such as clean air zones and air quality management areas and reported that Sefton had re-established the Air Quality Management Steering Group with Cabinet Member representation.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the report be noted.

 

 

29.

Cabinet Member Reports pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance that included the most recent report from the following Cabinet Members:-

 

·       Cabinet Member – Communities and Housing;

·       Cabinet Member – Health and Wellbeing (parks and greenspaces element only);

·       Cabinet Member – Locality Services; and

·       Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Cabinet Member update reports be accepted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.

Work Programme and Key Decision Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 97 KB

Report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance that sought the views of the Committee on the Work Programme for 2016/17, the progress of established Working Groups appointed by the Committee and the identification of any items for pre-scrutiny scrutiny by the Committee from the Key Decision Forward Plan.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)

the Committee noted items for pre-scrutiny from the Key Decision Forward Plan for period 1 December 2016 – 31 March 2017;

 

(2)

the Committee noted progress made by the Peer Review Working Group;

 

 

(3)

the Programme of Work for 2016/17 for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Skills), as set out in Appendix B to the report, be approved.