Agenda item

Refresh of the Committee's Work Programme 2017-18

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships.

Minutes:

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer referred Members to the report in the agenda papers relating to the Review of the Committee’s Work Programme for 2017-18 (for copy see file of minutes).

 

Members noted the report set out the work programme for the year ahead and suggested topics for review, though Councillors were reminded of the need to include some ability to look at any emerging issues within the year.  The Committee noted that Appendix 2 set out the work programme and priorities and noted topics to be monitored included the County Durham Plan, Visit County Durham (VCD) and EU Funding.  Members noted ongoing issues also included: the Housing White Paper and Industrial Strategy Green Paper; Durham Key Options; Digital Support for the Business Sector; DurhamWorks; and homelessness.

 

Councillor C Martin left at 11.52am

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer added that reviews of the progress against the recommendations from previous work on VCD Marketing Campaigns and Skills Development would be built into the Work Programme, along with potential site visits in terms of Chapter Homes, Traveller sites and, as previously mentioned, Salvus House.  It was added that special meetings may be called as required, with a meeting in terms of housing to be arranged in October.  It was noted a suggested topic for focused review of supporting the retail sector, had previously been identified by Members of the Committee, at the March 2017.

 

The Chairman noted that with a great deal or work to be undertaken by the Committee, there may be a need for special meetings of the Committee and also suggested that a visit be arranged to Salvus House and to look next year as part of the Work Programme for 2018/19 into the viability of a visit to NETPark.  The Chairman added that she had spoken to the Portfolio Holder in terms of support for the retail sector as a review topic and the Cabinet Portfolio Holder had been supportive of this.

 

Councillor J Clare noted that the suggested topic tied in with a lot of the issues raised by Councillors at the meeting, and with Business Durham not focussing on retail it was a good idea for the Committee to look at the issues and where it was not within the Council’s power then at least to identify issues. 

 

Councillor J Clare added that in reference to page 42 of the agenda pack and the Digital Durham Programme, he noted that Phase 3 would end in Autumn 2018 and therefore this would be something to look at, in what form it would take from 2018.  He added for Members’ information that Digital Durham lead to the lines being put in, however, BT would only supply equipment, cards, inside the cabinets if there was sufficient demand demonstrated for broadband services.  Councillor J Clare also noted that beyond a certain number of properties taking up such services then BT was required to pay back against any Digital Durham investment and noted that was an issue to look into. 

 

In terms of future broadband provision, Councillor J Clare noted that the Digital Durham Programme referred to existing housing stock, not new housing and that it was for developers to register with BT in order to try and secure superfast broadband provision.  Councillor J Clare noted this was the case with several new properties within his area, and included properties developed by Chapter Homes.  Councillor J Clare noted that while it may not be possible to look at the topic within this year’s Work Programme he felt it was important and should also be a topic for review, possibly next year.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that the focus on the Digital Durham Programme within the context and remit of the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee was to look at broadband provision in terms of helping businesses and the economy.  It terms of private individuals and housing this would possibly fall under the remit of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and she would therefore share the concerns raised with the Head of Strategy, Transformation and Partnerships, Jenny Haworth in terms of that Committee.  Councillor J Clare added with the shift towards many more people working from home it was vital that properties had access to superfast broadband.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)           That the Work Programme at Appendix 2 to the report be agreed.

(ii)          That the review topic of support provided by DCC for the retail sector be agreed.

(iii)         That an additional site visit to Salvus House is included in the Work Programme for 2017/18.

 

Supporting documents: