Agenda item

Minute No.

Action

Officer Responsible/ Update

4

The Chair of Governance noted that the number of employees not wanting to give their nationality had increased and asked if there was any reason for this.

The information is usually captured when employees join the Council as part of their application information, although removed at the shortlisting stage. However, the transfer of Streetwise staff has required each individual to complete a form to update the records, and some individuals were hesitant to complete the form. HR complete a 3 year audit where all staff are asked to check their data and update any details, so there will be opportunity to request this information on an ongoing basis.

4.

The Vice Chair of Governance Scrutiny Group suggested that the Council request Councillor’s ethnicity at the next election intake

This will be reviewed at the next Councillor election in 2027.

4.

The Vice Chair of Communities asked for more information on outputs from the UKSPF projects funding

This information will be provided as part of the next UKSPF update to the Group.

5.

The Group asked for information about the process for rent increases charged by supported housing providers and whether there was any requirement for them to consult the Council and whether the Council had to cover all of the rent or a percentage if not fully covered by the housing benefit subsidy

Information has been emailed to the Group.

5.

The Vice Chair of Communities asked whether the Government review of the formula for the discretionary part of the Disabled Facilities Grant had taken place

The government’s allocation methodology dates from 2011 and is recognised as being long overdue for a review, particularly the maximum level of mandatory grant (£30k) and the means test. All these factors were included within a commissioned Independent Review completed in 2018: Independent Review.  Whilst the overall national budget has been uprated the other factors have not progressed. Before the General Election was announced in May 2024 the government had already confirmed there would not be any meaningful progress on a review until 2025 at earliest so the timetable is now unclear and will almost certainly involve a consultation process.

5.

Members of the Group asked for more information about fly tipping

The cumulative number of fly-tipping cases below show the downward trend of cases in recent years. Subsequently, fines are also lower due to this, also impacted by whether there is sufficient evidence in each case to produce a fine to the right party