Issue - meetings
To receive the minutes of the Overview Board held on ...
Meeting: 04/09/2019 - Cabinet (Item 25)
25 Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 8th July 2019 
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(a) To receive and note the minutes
(b) To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes
Minutes:
The Leader thanked Councillor M. Thompson for attending to present both these minutes and the minute extract from the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 2nd September, which had been tabled at the meeting (attached as an appendix to these minutes) and which contained a number of recommendations in respect of the wording in the Council Plan, Minute No 31/19.
Councillor Thompson reminded Members of the background to the Short Sharp Review which the Overview and Scrutiny Board had carried out in respect of Business Rates Relief. Following discussions, over a number of meetings, with the Executive Director, Finance and Resources an alternative method of calculating those who were eligible for this relief had been found. This would enable the Council to take advantage of the full amount of funds available to them, to the benefit of businesses in the District. The Leader also commented that a large proportion of business had had a reduction in business rates following a review.
In respect of the Council Plan recommendations, Councillor Thompson talked through each of the recommendations and provided some context as to why the changes were being made. Particular reference was made to ii) and the inclusion of those with reduced mobility as there had been concern that there may not be sufficient data to support this.
The Leader thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Board for its input into the Council Plan and was happy for the recommendations to be incorporated in to the final version.
RESOLVED:
a) that the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 8th July 2019 be noted;
b) that the Section 151 Officer uses her delegated powers to use the 2018/19 balance from the business rates scheme and reflect this in the allocation for subsequent years be approved; and
c) that the following amendments to the wording in the Council Plan be agreed:
i) Work and financial independence – Ensure people get the benefits they need – amend the measure to read:
“Number of emergency Essential Living Fund payments”.
“Number of emergency Discretionary Housing payments”.
ii) Live independent, active & healthy lives – Why? – amend to read:
“Increasing numbers of people living with reduced mobility, dementia and diabetes are a particular issue for the District”.
iii) Affordable & sustainable homes – Priority: A balanced housing market – include this priority within the “We will” and “How we will measure progress” section.
iv) An effective & sustainable Council – amend “Sustainability – We Will” to read:
“Focus more on commercialisation of services, and where appropriate, maximising every opportunity to generate income”.
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