Agenda and minutes

There were no substitutes declared.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Michael Anderson, Chris Barker, Rona Burt, Colin Noble and Peter Ridgwell.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 25 July 2018 (copies attached).

The minutes of the meetings held on 25 July 2018, were both unanimously accepted by the Committee as accurate records and signed by the Chairman.

Members of the public who live or work in Forest Heath are invited to put one question/statement of not more than 3 minutes duration relating to items to be discussed in Part 1 of the agenda only.  If a question is asked and answered within 3 minutes, the person who asked the question may ask a supplementary question that arises from the reply.

A person who wishes to speak must register at least 15 minutes before the time the meeting is scheduled to start.

There is an overall limit of 15 minutes for public speaking, which may be extended at the Chairman’s discretion.

There were no questions/statements from members of the public.

Report No: PAS/FH/18/029

(For reference purposes, St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Report Number is PAS/SE/18/026)

Further to the informal joint discussions held prior to the meeting with St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee, the Committee formally considered Report No: PAS/FH/18/029.

Members had considered the report, and there being no decision required, the Committee noted the Annual Audit Letter 2017-2018, attached as Appendix A to Report No: PAS/FH/18/029.

Report No: PAS/FH/18/030

(For reference purposes, St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Report Number is PAS/SE/18/027)

Further to the informal joint discussions held prior to the meeting with St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee, the Committee formally considered Report No: PAS/FH/18/030.

Members had considered the report, and there being no decision required, the Committee noted the West Suffolk Environmental Statement 2017-2018, attached as Appendix A to Report No: PAS/FH/18/030.

Report No: PAS/FH/18/031

(For reference purposes, St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Report Number is PAS/SE/18/028)

Further to the informal joint discussions held prior to the meeting with St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee, the Committee formally considered Report No: PAS/FH/18/031.

Members had considered the report, and with there being no decision required, the Committee noted the contents of its forward work programme for 2018-2019.

Report No: PAS/FH/18/032

(For reference purposes, St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Report Number is PAS/SE/18/029)

Further to the informal joint discussions held prior to the meeting with St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee, the Committee formally considered Report No: PAS/FH/18/032.

Members considered the report in detail, and there being no decision required, the Committee noted the approach and timescales for the 2019-2020 budget setting process and medium term plans as we head into the new West Suffolk Council.

Report No: PAS/FH/18/033

The Committee received Report No: PAS/FH/18/033, which set out a complaint which had been referred to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) in relation to a Disabled Facilities Grant.  

Detailed discussions took place on the complaint and officers provided comprehensive responses to questions asked. 

The Committee felt officers had done everything they could to resolve the complaint, and the Chairman on behalf of the Committee thanked officers for their perseverance.

There being no decision required, the Committee noted the remedial actions taken by the Assistant Director (Planning and Regulatory Services) following the findings of the LGO and the recommended payment of £200 to settle the complaint and an independent person be identified to arrange and oversee the remedial works.