Agenda and minutes

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillor J Wadrup.

To review the minutes of the previous meetings held on the 5^th September 2024 and the 9^th October 2024.

The minutes of the meetings held on 5^th September and 9^th October 2024 were approved as a correct record. The minutes were approved on block.

(Moved by Councillor M Couchman and seconded by Councillor M Summers)

There were no declarations of interestions.

There was no update.

The Chair updated the Committee that further to the meeting on the 9^th October 2024, they attended Cabinet on the 19^th October 2024 to present the Committees recommendations on the Strategic Leasehold Review item. The Chair confirmed read out the recommendations and confirmed that they were not carried. The Chair confirmed that that the meeting could be viewed on You Tube.

There were none.

(Report of The Leader of the Council)

The Chair welcomed the Leader of the Council and Officers to introduce the report of the Leader of the Council to provide the Committee with an overview of Council performance for the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year (July to September 2024). It reports the council’s position in relation to progress with strategic corporate plan projects and updates on the financial position, corporate risks, audits, information governance, compliments, comments, complaints and health & safety. Cabinet will consider the report on 12 December 2024.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report highlighting the following on the dashboard before inviting questions –

Ø  Tamworth Castle had been awarded a Welcome Accolade

Ø  The Council had been awarded the Silver Armed Forces Employer Recognition Award

Ø  Beauchamp Park had been updated

Ø  The animal licensing services had achieved the RSPCE Bronze award for animal welfare

The Committee made the following comments/observations and asked the following questions:

1.     The Committee were pleased to see funeral directors in Tamworth were compliant however would welcome a national register where they would to be regulated and licensed.

2.     Page 26 - Clarification around how market traders and shopkeepers were being kept updated around the ongoing works around St Edithas Square.

It was confirmed by the Leader that signage had been due to go up today, but this has been delayed until tomorrow due to the snow. Officers were going out and speaking to traders and shopkeepers and it was hoped that the contractors would also be doing this. The Portfolio Holder and Members were also talking to them when in the town. The Leader was using their weekly piece in the Herald to highlight that the shops are open as usual.

3.     Page 28 - In relation to unfavourable variances, when we are employing temporary/agency staff do we employ them directly or do with go through an agency which can increase costs?

It was confirmed that sometimes temporary staff were employed directly and sometimes through an agency, however the Council always try to negotiate the best deal and better exit payments if the person were taken on permanently. Where they can they do try and recruit themselves however for cleaners, specialised roles, bespoke pieces of work or where the roles are only for a certain amount of time they would look at the best avenue and value for money.

4.     Page 28 –With regards to the unfavourable variance what specific strategies are we implementing to address these income shortfalls and overspending and how are we adjusting our financial plans to ensure we meet our year and targets while maintaining the quality of our services?

Officers confirmed that where budgets are overspent managers are being asked to look at compensatory savings or to try and mitigate the overspends. A piece of work is being undertaken around the Assembly Rooms to look at how more income could be generated, review the budget and ensure that targets are realistic. A meeting is scheduled with the accountant at Lichfield District  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness and Planning)

The Chair welcome the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness and Planning and the Assistant Director, Neighbourhoods to introduce the report which was going on to Cabinet to request approval for the adoption of the Tenancy Management Policy 2024, setting out the Council’s approach to offering tenancies as well as how we will manage and sustain tenancies.

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report before handing over the Assistant Director who highlighted that the report was a requirement of the social housing regulator tenancy standard. There was a summary of changes at the beginning of the report and the Policy aimed to bring the policy in line with current regulation and to make it simpler to read. In addition to the policy, Cabinet were being asked to approve a full consultation on tenancy types.

The Committee made the following comments/observations and asked the following questions:

1.     Confirmation that the rights of succession had changed in 2012 and whether the children of deceased parents still get succession rights?

It was confirmed that the legislation had been updated. It was clarified that the law only allows for one succession, so if the property had been under a joint tenancy and one partner was deceased then they would have the success so there would be no further line off succession, however the Council do take a common sense approach in these circumstances, and look at the best arrangements for supporting any individuals following a death as well as considering the best use of stock. It was clarified that the legislation describes the succession as applying to spouse or civil partner i.e. husband, wife or common law partner and dependents with a time scale in place to avoid people moving in and benefitting from succession rights when this has not been their principle home , however where succession was not relevant the Council would work with people to find an onward solution.

2.     In relation to fixed term tenancies which would be due to be terminated due to property size, do we support the tenant to move on to a suitable property and they are not just ‘kicked out’?

The Officer confirmed that no one is made homeless as a result of this and that very few tenancies have been terminated due to under occupancy, however conversations would be started in the fourth or final year of the tenancy about the best use of stock and they have worked with some households to support them into alternative suitable accommodation.

3.     As Universal Credit is paid in arrears, how do the Council work with tenants to ensure that this does not hold them back from moving?

The Officer confirmed that they support tenants to ensure they are getting all of the benefits they are entitled to  and to stabilise their income from the outset and where household have entered an agreed management plan then this would not hold hinder them from moving particularly where incentive to move is relevant (it was highlighted that a report was coming  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

To provide an update on any working groups

The Committee does not currently have any working groups.

(Discussion item – link to the Forward Plan attached)

Browse plans - Cabinet, 2024 :: Tamworth Borough Council

There were no items identified from the Forward Plan.

(Discussion Item – to review the Committees work plan)