Agenda and minutes

There were none.

To approve the record of the meeting held on 21 September 2017.

The record of the meeting held on 21 September 2017 was agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are invited to declare any interests in relation to any agenda item in accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by their Authority.

There were no interests disclosed.

There were none.

This report asks the Joint Committee to consider a provisional programme of meetings for the 2018/2019 municipal year.

Background:

Members considered a report regarding a provisional programme of

meetings for the 2018/2019 municipal year.

Decision:

The Joint Committee agreed the provisional timetable of meetings for the 2018/2019 municipal year as set out in paragraph 2.3 of the report.

Reasons for decision:

The Joint Committee was asked to consider the provisional programme of

meetings for the 2018/2019 municipal year, in order to provide some certainty for Members and the Partner Authorities.

This report summarises the content of agenda items 7 and 8, which, in the opinion of the proper officer, contain exempt information within one of the categories in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. It is a matter for the Joint Committee to determine whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the documents. 

The press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of

the exempt material relating to agenda items 7 and 8 because consideration

of these matters in public would disclose information falling within Paragraph

3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as

specified in agenda item 6, and, in all the circumstances of the case, the Joint

Committee considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption

outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

This report seeks agreement to the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership’s Business Plan and Delivery Plan for 2018-2021..

Background:

In response to a query from a Member about where details of succession planning could be found in the Business Plan, as agreed at the last meeting, the Director of the Partnership advised that these details would be reported to the next meeting.

Members congratulated the team on the results of the Building Control Performance Standard Advisory Group annual benchmarking survey which saw the Partnership in the top 10% of respondents.

Decision:

The Joint Committee approved the updated version of the Business Plan and agreed to refer it to the Cabinet of each partner authority to approve the Final Draft Business Plan, subject to the following amendments:

·         Clarifying that the main purpose of the conference for neighbouring authorities was to encourage councils to join the partnership;

·         The Partnership’s objectives set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the Plan be amended to read as follows:

o   Continue to meet customer needs

o   Maximise technology to reduce cost and improve delivery

o   Continue to improve the way we work

o   Value support and develop staff.

Reasons for decision:

The Joint Committee has a duty under the Memorandum of Agreement to formally consult with partner authorities on the draft Business Plan.

The report updates the Joint Committee on the current forecast for the 2017/2018 financial year and gives details against the progress of the objectives of the Business Plan 2017/2018.

Background:

A Member noted that the online payment module was not likely to be available until the end of the financial year and asked if this timetable could be brought forward. The Director of the Partnership agreed to look into whether that could be achieved.

In relation to the expansion of the Partnership to include Canterbury City Council, negotiations were due to end by the end of December and Members would be updated if necessary. It was agreed that the City Council’s representative and the lead officer would be invited to the March meeting as observers.  Recognising the significant work involved in progressing the expansion, Members asked that their thanks be passed on to the team for their hard work and commitment.

Decision:

The Joint Committee agreed to note the report.

Reasons for decision:

The Constitution requires the Joint Committee to monitor the progress of the Partnership.