Members of the Committee are requested to bring their copy of the agenda for the Executive meeting on
Minutes:
The Committee considered the following reports on the Part 1 agenda for the meeting of the Executive on 2nd August 2019:
(4) COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT/REDUCTION SCHEME 2020/21
Report FSD19068
The Committee considered a report seeking a decision on the Authority’s recommended Council Tax Support/Reduction scheme to be included in the annual public consultation exercise.
Members considered that, in view of the financial pressures on the Council, increasing the level of contributions from claimants occupying larger properties should be considered. It was confirmed that some authorities did do this. Additional information would be circulated before the Executive’s meeting.
RESOLVED:
(1) That the Executive be recommended to agree that the Council Tax Support/Reduction (CTS) be forwarded for public consultation based on 75% liability for working-age claimants; all other elements of the scheme remain unchanged, subject to annual benefit uprating, legislative changes to the Council Tax Support/Reduction scheme and maintaining alignment with the Housing Benefit scheme.
(2) That the Executive be recommended to consult on requiring higher contributions (100%) from working age claimants in larger properties above band E.
(5) EMPTY HOMES PREMIUM
Report FSD19063
The Committee considered a proposal that a public consultation exercise be undertaken recommending that the Empty Homes Premium be introduced from April 2020.
A Member queried the amount (£59k) given in paragraph 5.1 of the report for additional collection costs. The Head of Revenues and Benefits explained that this was more than just sending out additional invoices and agreed to circulate a breakdown of these costs.
The Director of Housing explained that the Council had a number of initiatives to deal with empty properties, including offering grants and advice 9including on insurance for landlords with tenants on benefits) and matching landlords to letting agencies. There was an empty property team and a rolling programme of contacting owners of properties that were empty for a long period (usually more than six months.) In addition, the Council could take enforcement action in the form of management orders or compulsory purchase orders. A Member asked whether the Council could offer incentives and top-ups of housing benefit to encourage private landlords to take on tenants on benefits - the Director of Housing confirmed that this could be done, but the Council’s policy was to find more effective ways to help than providing on-going large top-ups.
The Committee proposed that the Council should apply the maximum premiums, although it was noted that the 300% extra for properties empty for more than ten years could only be applied from 2021/22 onwards, so a decision was not required for another year.
Additional information would be circulated before the Executive’s meeting on the potential additional income from applying the premium, the linking of empty periods and the additional collection costs of £59k.
RESOLVED: That the Executive be recommended to agree that:
(Councillor Stephen Wells requested that his abstention be recorded as he had declared an interest in this item.)
(6) AWARD OF CONTRACT: PROVISION OF HOUSING IN BURNT ASH LANE
Report DRR19/044a
The Committee considered a report setting out recommendations for the approval of a capital scheme for the design and construction of up to 25 residential units in a car park behind Burnt Ash Lane, off of Brindley Way, Bromley. In addition the report sought approval to utilise the LHC, NH2 Framework for a direct contract award permitted under the Framework.
Councillor Gareth Allatt reported that the ward councillors had been consulted on the proposals, and were in support of the scheme as it would alleviate housing pressures and provide enhancements for the site. They had drawn attention to the recycling facilities currently on the site, and the loss of parking, but were reassured that some public parking would remain and the effect on footfall for local shops would be mitigated by more people living nearby. There had been problems with anti-social behaviour in the car park, but the proposals included CCTV and landscaping.
A member asked whether the property assets would appreciate in value. It was expected that they would, although it was unlikely that the Council would need to dispose of them.
A slightly updated version of recommendation 2.2 (resolution 1 below) was tabled.
RESOLVED: That the Executive be recommended to:
1. Request that Council approve the addition of £3,786k to the Capital Programme funded from Section 106 contributions (£500k) and the Investment Fund earmarked reserve (£3,286k) for the provision of Affordable Housing, in line with the Local Plan, National Planning Policy Frameworks/Section 106 agreements in the form of up to 25 residential units for temporary accommodation on the site known as Burnt Ash Lane car park;
2. Approve a direct contract award to Lesko Modular Housing, using the LHC, HN2 Framework, for a design and build of housing at the site, as set out in the report;
3. Approve the concept design for the proposed scheme subject to planning permission and public consultation;
4. Agree that officers apply for planning permission based on the proposed design; and
5. Approve the appropriation of land at the site known as Burnt Ash Lane Car Park from its current purpose to the purpose of housing land held under the general fund in accordance with section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972.
(7) 0-19 PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
Report ECHS19074
The Committee considered a report setting out options for the future of the Health Visiting and School Nursing service in terms of funding and commissioning options. Both the 0-4 years Health Visiting Service incorporating Family Nurse Partnership (HV) and the Health Support to Schools (HSS) contracts were due to expire at the end of September 2020. The HV contract was held by Public Health, funded through the Public Health grant at £3,288k per annum. The HSS contract was currently held by the Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), funded through Public Health reserves at £603k per annum. In November 2018, the Executive agreed to fund this contract to September 2020 to align it with the expiry of the HV contract and commission a combined 0-19 service. A small contract for Primary screening (vision screening and national child measurement programme in primary schools) was also due to expire at the end of September 2020. This contract was held by Public Health, funded through the Public Health grant at £165k per annum. It was proposed to also include this contract in the 0-19 Public Health Nursing contract from 1st October 2020.
A Member pointed out that Bromley currently had the lowest spend per head in London at £11, while the long term funding for the service was unclear. The Chairman stated that a further report to members would be needed to consider funding issues. Officers confirmed that a full needs assessment had been carried out in 2016 to establish the level of service. Another Member commented that the service needed to keep a particular watch over pupil referral units.
RESOLVED: The Executive be recommended to agree to tender a new 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service from 1st October 202 for a period of 5 years plus an optional 2 year extension at an estimated cost of £4 million per annum.
(8) AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR EXCHEQUER SERVICES
Report FSD19073
The Committee considered the Part 1 (Public) report which accompanied the Part 2 report on the agenda recommending that the Council award a contract for the provision of Exchequer Services.
RESOLVED: That the Executive be recommended to award the Exchequer Services Contract, as detailed in the accompanying Part 2 report, for a contract period of 8 years, with the option to extend for a further 4 years (based on a 2 plus 2 option).