Issue - items at meetings - Area Panel Boundaries and the Housing Management Consultative Sub-Committee

1.            That the redrawing of the 4 Area Panel area boundaries, as shown in Appendix 1 to the report,  to align with ward boundaries be approved; and

2.            That the abolition of the Housing Management Consultative Sub-Committee be approved.

178.1       The Monitoring Officer introduced the report which set out proposed changes to the council’s resident involvement structure by realigning geographical boundaries of Area Panels to match ward boundaries. The report also proposed that the Housing Management Consultative Sub-Committee be discontinued and that revised arrangements and ways of working be introduced to ensure more effective tenant consultation and input into the decision-making process.  Whilst there had been an effective role under the executive system, it was felt that under a committee system there was a level of duplication with both the Area Panels and the Sub-Committee.  The Monitoring Officer also noted that future reports to the Housing Committee would include comments from the Area Panels the Tenant Scrutiny arrangements had now come into operation and had taken two reports to date to the Housing Committee.

178.2       Councillor Randall welcomed the report and stated that he felt there were a number of avenues whereby tenants could put forward their views and influence matters right up the Housing Committee itself and therefore the sub-committee was not needed.  He was aware that an indicative vote by tenants at the last sub-committee had shown support for its retention, but that there had been divided views at the Area Panels.  He also noted that the Leaders Group supported the proposal and that Councillor Peltzer Dunn had expressed his opposition to it at various meetings.

178.3       Councillor Peltzer Dunn stated that he wished to move an amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group to delete the second recommendation listed in the report and thereby effectively retain the Housing Management Consultative Sub-Committee.  He acknowledged that there were a number of avenues for tenant consultation but felt that the loss of 6 meetings a year would have an impact.  He fully supported the changes for the Area Panels but felt that the sub-committee provided an opportunity for residents across the city to make representations directly to Members.

178.4       Councillor G. Theobald formally seconded the amendment.

178.5       The Chair noted the comments and stated that as part of the establishment of the tenant scrutiny process it had been envisaged that the sub-committee would be discontinued.  The Housing Committee was open to anyone to attend and for public items to be raised, and he believed with the various opportunities for matters to be raised the loss of the sub-committee would not diminish the voice of tenants from being heard.

178.6       Councillor Morgan stated that he welcomed the realignment of the Area Panels and noted that as part of the review of the constitution with the introduction of the committee system, the Working Group had maintained that the need for sub-committees should be limited.  Now that the tenant scrutiny process was in place and the area panels reformed, he believed that it was appropriate to discontinue the sub-committee but noted that the arrangements could be kept under review as part of the general review of the constitution.

178.7       The Chair noted the comments and put the Conservative Group amendment to the vote which was lost.  He then put the recommendations to the vote

178.8       RESOLVED:

(1)      That the redrawing of the 4 Area Panel area boundaries, as shown in appendix 1 to the report, to align with ward boundaries be agreed;

(2)      That the abolition of the Housing Management Consultative Sub-Committee be approved.

Note:      Councillors A. Norman, Peltzer Dunn and G. Theobald wished their names recorded as having voted against resolution (2) above.