County Borough of Blaenau Gwent s5

COUNTY BOROUGH OF BLAENAU GWENT

REPORT TO: CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

REPORT ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUBJECT: SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 25 TH JULY, 2013 – ACTION SHEET

REPORT AUTHOR: EXECUTIVE / SCRUTINY OFFICER

BY WHOM DATE ITEM ACTION TO BE TAKEN (TIMESCALE ACTION TAKEN IF DECIDED)

25.07.2013 4 ACTION SHEET

The Works – Site Visit – due to the absence of Clare Price Arrangements for a appropriate Officers in the Council recess, the site Tour of 'The Works' visit to The Works would be held prior to the next had been arranged meeting of the Scrutiny Committee. for 19th September, 2013

Enforcement – Fixed Penalty Notices – Chief Alan Reed Verbal update to be Neighbourhood Services Officer said that the given at the next company targeted hot spots, which required regular Committee cleansing or where complaints were received in respect of dog fouling and littering; however, the Officer would acquire the information requested in respect of percentage breakdown of Notices issued in town centres.

25.07.2013 5 PROPOSED SCRUTINY FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME 2013 – 2014

Match-Funding – Current and Proposed Joanne Discussions ongoing Schemes – a Member commended the Forward Oates (SS) / Work Programme, which he considered a Mark comprehensive document, however he suggested Price there was a need for detailed information in respect of what schemes were currently match-funded and those proposed for the future requiring match- funding. Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that a Briefing Session or Seminar would prove beneficial to Members in raising awareness and provide an overview of schemes proposed for the future that would require match-funding; this was agreed accordingly.

Capital and Revenue Budget Monitoring – early Joanne Review currently indication was required in respect of adverse Oates (SS) being undertaken on variances / overspends, rather than Officers waiting future financial for the submission of quarterly reports; Scrutiny reporting Officer to liaise with Officers to amend the wording of the Suggested Scrutiny Activity accordingly. Business Property Portfolio and Review Bring Joanne The Committee Site Service – a Member expressed concern that Oates (SS) would have regular some reports were scheduled to be submitted to the opportunity to Information Pack and considered that any Items that discuss and agree proposed a change in Policy needed to be presented the most appropriate to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration. forum for Items included on the Work The Scrutiny Officer explained it had been intended Programme that these would be considered by the Scrutiny Committee in due course but acknowledged that Members wanted more input throughout the process.

25.07.2013 6 WALES AUDIT OFFICE SERVICE BASED BUDGET REVIEW REPORT

The Chief Neighbourhood Services Officer explained Alan Reed An Officer from the that pages 85 to 93 was the report of the Authority’s Wales Audit Office Officers; however, the Wales Audit Office had would attend the next requested they be provided the opportunity to Scrutiny Committee present their findings, outlined in the Service Based Budget Review, to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, which was agreed accordingly. Capacity to Deliver and Improve Essential Joanne Service Reviews Services – Members said that it would be extremely Oates (SS) were currently being beneficial, when making future decisions, if a undertaken, Scrutiny Seminar could be arranged informing consideration of Members of statutory and non-statutory functions, statutory / non which was agreed accordingly. statutory functions was being included as an element of this. The findings of which would be disseminated when available.

25.07.2013 7 VIBRANT AND VIABLE PLACES NEW REGENERATION FRAMEWORK – WELSH GOVERNMENT

In respect of some of the tight deadlines stipulated Joanne Discussions ongoing throughout the process, the Head of Community Oates (SS) / in respect of the Regeneration proposed that a Task and Finish Mark Terms of Reference Group could be established to consider the potential Price for the Group Project Bid List outside the timescale of the Scrutiny Committee meetings, which was agreed accordingly. The Scrutiny Officer said, in respect of the timescale involved, that the Chair could approve the Terms of Reference for the Task and Finish Group and circulate to Members for information, which was also agreed accordingly. Nominations were thereupon sought for representation on the Vibrant and Viable Places Task and Finish Group; it was agreed that the following Members be appointed:

Chair and Vice-Chair Councillors Keren Bender, Malcolm Cross, Clive Meredith, Dennis Owens and Diane Rowberry

The Head of Community Regeneration said that he Mark Price would circulate the estimated costs in respect of the Project Bid List, to Members of the Scrutiny Committee, for information.