Minutes PDF 98 KB - Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LAND SCRUTINY BOARD
17th MARCH 2015
MINUTES
Present:
Cllrs J Ryan (Chairman), R Holt, S Holt, T Ludlow, M Parker, G Slater, and C
Williams.
Witnesses:
Cllr I Courts, Economic Development & Land Portfolio Holder
Cllr R Hulland, Environment & Housing Portfolio Holder
Anne Brereton, Director of Managed Growth
Dr. Ashley Lane, Board Chairman, SCH
Steve Boyd, Chief Executive, SCH
Peter Stoate, Chief of Commercial Activity, SCH
George Daley, Policy Lead Advisor - Housing
Support
Officer:
Roy Eaton, Senior Scrutiny Officer
Apologies:
None
1
DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY OR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Cllr C Williams declared a conflict of interest in respect of item 7 as a Solihull
Community Housing Board Member.
2
QUESTIONS AND DEPUTATIONS
None submitted.
3
MINUTES
The Board received the minutes of the meeting held on 13th January 2015.
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting held on 13th January 2015 be agreed as a
correct record.
4
OUTCOMES FROM THE MINUTES
No issues were raised.
5
ACTIVITY WITHIN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LAND PORTFOLIO
Witnesses: Cllrs I Courts and R Hulland and Anne Brereton
The Board heard from the two Portfolio Holders for the functional areas covered by this
Board as to activity in the current Municipal Year. The Board had been supplied with a
minute extract from the meeting in June 2014, when the Portfolio Holders had outlined
their intended programmes. The Portfolio Holders had circulated written reports which
are filed online with the agenda.
The following issues in respect of the Economic Development & Land Portfolio were
raised: 
The Cabinet Member explained the methods that he used to keep track on the
various projects within his Portfolio principally through a weekly briefing meeting with
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LAND SCRUTINY BOARD
17th MARCH 2015
Officers or project specific meetings. The Director of Managed Growth advised that
Officers utilised a policy deployment matrix which documented project key
milestones and performance measures for each major project.

A Member referred to previous reports on the Local Nature Partnership and asked
for an update. The Cabinet Member advised that he had heard nothing further on
this since the last report, which was frustrating. Resourcing of the Partnership had
been an issue.

In response to a question, the Cabinet Member advised that the Local Plan Review
including the specific Area Plan for the UK Central Hub was on track with outcomes
from the consultation exercise being available within the next two months.

With regard to UKC opportunity zones, in particular North Solihull, the Cabinet
Member agreed with an assertion made over the importance of connectivity with key
assets to allow every opportunity for skills, training and employment opportunities.
The Director of Managed Growth advised that the UKC Masterplan includes, as a
concept, a light rapid transit system. This concept would be taken forward as part of
the HS2 Growth Strategy and the Borough’s own Transport Strategy with the
ambition of achieving delivery before the provision of HS2.

A Member offered a positive comment over what had been achieved over the past
few years including the continuation of the North Solihull Regeneration Programme
through a difficult period. The Member stated that the Cabinet Member’s report
promised an exciting period for the Borough.

The Cabinet Member highlighted a few other areas from his report, namely better
digital connectivity across the Borough including the role that can be played by
libraries; the importance of marketing and branding in promoting the area towards
securing vital inward investment and the influence that the Council was exerting
within the Local Enterprise Partnership, particularly on the skills agenda.
The following issues in respect of the Environment & Housing Portfolio were raised: 
It was explained that the Smith’s Wood Village Centre had been delayed owing to
the lack of funding approvals in respect of the health provision. High level lobbying
had recently taken place on this.

In response to a question, the Cabinet Member referred to the successful outcomes
of a peer review of the homelessness service and the subsequent plan to achieve
the Homelessness Gold Standard.

Members referred to the objectives within the new Homelessness Strategy,
particularly the mechanisms around prevention and early intervention, for example,
the provision of advice over issues such as mortgage debt. It was noted that there
had been 843 homeless applications in 2013/14 and 828 during the period April to
December 2014. Of those applications there were 510 cases in 2013/14 accepted
as homeless and 446 in the period April to December 2014. There was only 5
known cases in the Borough where people were choosing to sleep rough.

The Board noted that last year, through intervention activity, homelessness had
been prevented in 370 cases, satisfying the first objective of the Strategy.

In response to a question, advice was given that no ex-service personnel had had to
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LAND SCRUTINY BOARD
17th MARCH 2015
be supported under homelessness provisions.
RESOLVED
That the Cabinet Members be thanked for their reports
6
OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY WORK PLAN 2015/16
The Board considered the report of the Director of Governance with regard to the
Board’s work plan for 2015/16.
The report explained the process that had been followed in identifying potential topics,
(listed in Appendix A to the report), those already known to the Board and then new
suggestions. Members were reminded of the principles followed in selecting topics for
scrutiny, i.e. issues of significance and where Scrutiny’s engagement could add value.
The Board was also encouraged to keep its work plan manageable, limiting the number
of items on an agenda (the ideal of single topic meetings) and appointing Task & Finish
Groups to do detailed work.
The Board was asked to: i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
Consider and comment on the list of potential topics.
Suggest business to be transacted by the Board at its first meeting in the new
Municipal Year.
Give a view, as necessary, on any topics that may be cross cutting and how they
should be handled.
Make recommendations to OSMB in April 2015 as to the overall work plan, and
Authorise the Board’s Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Spokespersons to agree
the Board’s detailed work plan.
The following issues were raised: 
The Senior Scrutiny Officer advised that at the Economic Development & Land
Portfolio Holder’s Decision Session held the previous evening, he had considered
an Officer report with regard to a supplementary planning document on hot food
takeaways. In doing so, the Portfolio Holder, in view of the level of Member interest,
had asked that this Board considers the consultation responses on the subject and
give a view on a future approach. The Cabinet Member, who was still in attendance
from the earlier item, commented that given the diverse views received to the
consultation and the various options open to the Council he had felt that some
further discussion on the issues, particularly on the legal/ policy compliance and
vulnerabilities on appeal would be desirable before any decision is made.

A Member referred to the recent publication of the Council’s Carbon Management
Annual Report and suggested that the Council’s future aspirations in this regard
should be scrutinized.

A Member referred to the suggested item on ESIF/ External Funding for Economic
Development & Land concerning the opportunities and limitations of external funding
for economic development in Solihull. Whilst accepting that it may cross over into
another Board’s scrutiny responsibilities, the Member also suggested that the issue
of funding for improved transportation links should be reviewed by Scrutiny.
RESOLVED
i) That the list of topics in Appendix A be received
ii) That the list and the Board’s comments recorded in the preamble be referred
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LAND SCRUTINY BOARD
17th MARCH 2015
to OSMB, and
iii) That the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Spokespersons be authorised to
agree the Board’s detailed Work Plan
7
SOLIHULL COMMUNITY HOUSING DELIVERY PLAN 2015/16
Witnesses: Dr. Ashley Lane, Steve Boyd, Peter Stoate (SCH) and George Daley (Client
Officer)
The Board considered the report of the Director of Adult Social Care & Communities
with regard to the draft Solihull Community Housing (SCH) Delivery Plan for the coming
year. The Board was asked to comment on the document in advance of consideration
by the Environment & Housing Portfolio Holder the following evening.
The draft Plan included matters which had been of concern to the Board previously,
particularly temporary accommodation for homeless people, the impact of welfare
reform and support for tenants and others through apprenticeships and other forms of
training.
The report also included as appendices, specific updates with regard to the
implementation of the new housing allocations scheme and progress on underused
garage sites.
The following issues were raised: 
SCH witnesses described the make-up of the SCH Board, including the Solihull
Council Member representation. This information was available in a further appendix
to the Delivery Plan. The Client Officer agreed that this would be supplied to
Board Members for their information.

SCH witnesses described how the tenants’ representatives were elected to serve on
the SCH Board and the positive and passionate contribution that they made
including the work of the Tenants Scrutiny Committee.

The Board noted that SCH was managing the statutorily required Gypsy and
Traveler site on behalf of the Council. This was deemed appropriate in view of
SCH’s estates/ tenants’ management experience.

Witnesses confirmed that SCH managed 37 units of high rise accommodation.
Members were pleased with the external improvements to these buildings which had
had a positive impact on the immediate environment, including developers finding
property easier to sell in the locality. In response to a question, witnesses confirmed
that the interior common areas to these buildings would be improved.

Reference was made to the potential impact of universal credit. It was noted that
rent collection could be adversely affected as a single monthly payment will be
made direct to each household rather than the rent element being paid directly to
SCH.

SCH witnesses confirmed that SCH staff were encouraged and trained to recognize
the signs of domestic abuse, including child neglect, and report such instances.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LAND SCRUTINY BOARD
17th MARCH 2015

A Member referred to the untidiness of many front gardens in Smith’s Wood and
what remedies were available to SCH. SCH witnesses advised that the tenancy
agreement required that gardens should be maintained but a breech of that
condition would not be sufficient to secure a Possession Order. In some cases, SCH
had tidied gardens and then recharged the cost to the tenant, but securing payment
had not always been possible.

Reference was also made to the state of the public realm on estates in Smith’s
Wood, including regular fly tipping. SCH witnesses advised that they worked with
the Neighbourhoods Team in resolving such issues.

Members were pleased to note that during the year, SCH had increased the number
of HRA temporary accommodation units to 79, reducing the pressure to use budget
hotels and cutting the length of time families have had to spend in such
accommodation. Hotels on the Hagley Road, Birmingham were currently not being
used. There was a clear ambition to eradicate the use of such hotels completely.

In response to a question, witnesses explained that through changes to housing
allocations policies, with an increased focus on housing need and a local
connection, the waiting list which in September 2014 had comprised 18,700
households, as at 31st December 2014 the number of households on the list had
reduced to 8,299.

In response to a question, SCH witnesses agreed to supply Board Members
with a break down of the types of units that make up the total of 10,037
tenanted properties.

Reference was made to the fact that SCH employed 318 staff including six
apprentices and one post graduate trainee. A Member commented, supported by
the Board, that given the size of the business, the number of apprenticeships
offered should be higher. SCH witnesses also agreed to supply Board
Members with figures as to the number of staff who were resident in Solihull.
The SCH witnesses advised that major contracts let by SCH included clauses
requiring “local jobs for local people”.

SCH witnesses explained the nature of the National Housing Innovation Award for
the ‘Thinkchange’ programme which enabled both staff and customers to generate
ideas.

Reference was made to the involvement of tenants in regular estate inspections and
prioritisation of estate improvements. Although SCH witnesses were not able to give
precise numbers involved, advice was given that estate inspections happened on a
monthly basis. Additional information was given on the engagement and challenge
provided through the Tenants Scrutiny Committee.

In response to a question on the robustness to the Tenants Scrutiny Committee and
their involvement in estates inspections, SCH witnesses agreed to supply Board
Members with a sample of the minutes of the Committee’s meetings in
illustration of the challenge provided.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LAND SCRUTINY BOARD
17th MARCH 2015
8

A Member referred to the Gold Standard Peer Review and the statement made that
SCH had achieved a rating above 60% and questioned the relative merit of that
rating. The Client Officer advised that the 60% rating was a filter and in fact the
Council and SCH had been rated at 69% which had allowed the submission of
evidence for evaluation against the ten Gold Standard Challenges relating to
homelessness.

In response to a question, SCH witnesses advised that in terms of energy efficiency,
all new homes were constructed to “level 4 standard”. To construct properties to a
higher level might be cost prohibitive. Witnesses referred to the provision in the
Capital Programme to improve the thermal efficiency of the low rise accommodation
and the installation of PV cells, with the intent of reducing tenants’ utility bills.

A Member referred to the fact that a tenant had had cavity wall insulation installed at
no cost to them through a Government backed scheme and queried whether this
provision should be promoted to other tenants. Witnesses were not sure as to
scheme involved surmising that it may be under the Green Deal. SCH Witnesses
agreed to give Board Members a written response to the query.

In response to a question, SCH witnesses advised that all new properties were
installed with water meters and they were not aware of any restriction on having
them installed in existing property, unless the Water Company installed at a cost.
SCH Witnesses agreed to establish the actual position and inform Board
Members.

A Member referred to the limited number of people that had transferred through
Band T and the Client Officer advised that this would be investigated.

Positive reference was made to the redevelopment of a number of underused
garage sites and plans for a number of other sites. A Member encouraged SCH to
also examine former communal clothes drying areas, some of which may be
suitable for redevelopment.

The Board put on record, its view, that there had been improvement in service
provision and performance year on year, although there was still room for further
improvement.

The SCH Board Chairman made a final comment that SCH was at a pivotal point,
moving from being a body principally providing local authority housing management
services to one that was more commercially driven. He stated that this was not
something that SCH could achieve in isolation and looked to the Council’s support in
achieving this.
RESOLVED
i) That the SCH Delivery Plan for 2015/16 be received,
ii) That witnesses supply Board Members with the information needs highlighted
in the preamble to this minute, and
iii) That the Board’s comments as recorded in this minute be supplied to the
Cabinet Member for the Environment and Housing in connection with his
consideration of the Delivery Plan.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LAND SCRUTINY BOARD
17th MARCH 2015
HOBS MOAT NORTH & GREEN HILL TASK & FINISH GROUP (TFG)
The Board received a report from this TFG which had been established to examine the
pockets of deprivation in the Lower Super Output Areas of Hobs Moat North and Green
Hill. The TFG had already submitted an Interim Report to the Board (November 2014)
which had focussed on the circumstances affecting the parade of shops in Hobs Moat
Road. The submitted report gave attention to the more general issues of deprivation
that affects these areas and offers some comments and recommendations in mitigation.
The following issues were raised: 
A Board Member who had been involved as a witness in the last of the TFG’s
meetings commented that the issues faced by these areas were quite diverse and
complex and supported the recommendations made by the TFG, particularly the
need for support pathways for certain vulnerable clients.

A TFG Member commented that the TFG’s deliberations had been crystallized at
their last meeting through evidence given by the Economic Development (ED) Team
in that the majority of workless adults, particularly in Green Hill, were in receipt of
employment support allowance and were prevented from working owing to ill health.
As such, these individuals were not on the radar of officers from ED and as such the
TFG had reached its conclusions over the need for an integrated support pathway.

If accepted, this approach was seen as a model that could be used in other areas
facing similar problems.

The Board in supporting the TFG’s report and recommendations stressed the need
to review outcomes during 2015/16.
RESOLVED
i) That the recommendations of the TFG as listed below be supported: -
1) THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD DEDICATE SOME RESOURCE TO
EXAMINE, HAVING REGARD TO THE CLIENT’S VULNERABILITY,
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EVERY SOCIAL CARE CLIENT IN THE
AREAS TO ASSESS AND ENSURE THAT THEIR INCOME IS BEING
MAXIMISED.
2) THAT THESE AREAS OF DEPRIVATION SHOULD COME UNDER
SPECIFIC SCRUTINY THROUGH APPROPRIATE MEASURES WITHIN
THE ACTION AGAINST POVERTY STRATEGY SCORECARD AND
PROGRESS MONITORED THROUGH A MONTHLY REPORT SIMILAR
TO THAT ISSUED ON UNEMPLOYMENT.
3) THAT WITH THE HIGH PROPORTION OF WORKLESS ADULTS, IN
RECEIPT OF EMPLOYMENT & SUPPORT ALLOWANCE OWING TO
HEALTH PROBLEMS, A MORE INTEGRATED SUPPORT PATHWAY
WAS NEEDED WHEREBY, AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME AND HAVING
REGARD TO THE CLIENT’S NEEDS, SUPPORT WAS AVAILABLE
TOWARDS
LEARNING
ADDITIONAL
SKILLS
AND
INTO
EMPLOYMENT.
THE
EXECUTIVE
IS
ENCOURAGED
TO
COMMISSION A SCOPING REPORT ON THIS AND CONSIDER
OPTIONS.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LAND SCRUTINY BOARD
17th MARCH 2015
4) THAT THIS INTEGRATED SUPPORT PATHWAY BE ALIGNED
WITH A “SOCIAL CO-OPERATIVE” APPROACH, WHEREBY THESE
HARD TO REACH INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH MENTAL
HEALTH ISSUES, DRUG TAKING ETC. WOULD BENEFIT FROM A
COMMUNITY BASED FACILITY OR CHANCES TO PARTICIPATE IN
TARGETED COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. THIS APPROACH WOULD
PROVIDE
SOCIAL
INTERACTION,
HELPING
TO FOSTER
RELATIONSHIPS AT A LOCAL LEVEL, POSSIBLY ACTING AS A
SPRING BOARD TO OPPORTUNITIES, ACTIVITIES OF COMMUNITY
VALUE, SUCH AS GARDENING PERHAPS RUN BY A SOCIAL
ENTERPRISE OR STREET ASSOCIATIONS SIMILAR TO A
SUCCESSFUL SCHEME RUN IN SMITH’S WOOD.
5) THAT WITH REGARD TO THE ENVELOPE SCHEME AND
CYCLICAL MAINTENANCE THE PROGRAMMING SHOULD BE REEXAMINED TO SEE WHETHER THE WORKS IN HOBS MOAT NORTH
COULD BE DONE ANY SOONER WITHOUT DETRIMENT TO OTHER
AREAS WHERE THERE IS PRESSING NEED.
6) THAT, GIVEN CONCERNS OVER THE ADEQUACY OF THE
LIGHTING ON THE GREEN HILL WAY ESTATE, THIS BE ASSESSED
WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVEMENTS BEING MADE AS A DETERRENT
TO ASB AND REDUCING THE FEAR OF CRIME.
7) THAT THE COUNCIL CONSIDERS WHETHER THE GREEN HILL
GARAGE SITES WOULD BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY IF THEY
WERE TO BE REDEVELOPED. WHILST RECOGNISING THE COSTS
INVOLVED, CURRENTLY THESE SITES PROVIDE A SOURCE OF
NUISANCE AND ARE A DRAIN ON THE PUBLIC PURSE.
8) THAT, OWING TO CONCERNS RAISED OVER ESTATES
MANAGEMENT, THE COUNCIL/SCH CONSIDERS THE ADEQUACY
OF THE CURRENT MONTHLY INSPECTION REGIME.
9
ii) That the Board review outcomes during 2015/16
PRIVATE MINUTE
The Board received a private minute of the meeting held on 13th January 2015.
RESOLVED
That the private minute of the meeting held on 13th January 2015 be agreed as a
correct record.
The meeting finished at 8.30 pm.