Agenda Item No. 5      

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Homes and Safe Communities Scrutiny Committee: 18th April, 2018

Report of the Head of Democratic Services

Co-Opted Observer Membership of the Homes and Safe Communities Scrutiny Committee

Purpose of the Report

1. To advise Committee of the current vacant positions regarding non-voting observer representatives on the Scrutiny Committee.

Recommendation

To seek Committee's views in respect of the non-voting observer vacancies on the Homes and Safe Communities Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for the Recommendation

In light of current vacancies.

Background

2. Each Scrutiny Committee of the Council is entitled to recommend to Full Council the appointment of a number of individuals or organisations in a non-voting observer capacity.  
3. At the Annual Meeting on 24th May, 2017, the following positions were appointed to the Homes and Safe Communities Scrutiny Committee:

Non-Voting Observers -

Shelter Cymru

Vale Housing and Homelessness Forum.

Relevant Issues and Options

4. The Member position for the Vale Housing and Homelessness Forum has not been represented during the course of the current municipal year.  In June 2017, the current Scrutiny Committee requested that the Forum be contacted to ascertain the relevant individual to attend Committee Meetings.  An e-mail response received on 5th July, 2017 from the Glamorgan Voluntary Services stated that the Vale Housing and Homelessness Forum was not active at the present moment. Following this e-mail, the joint chairs of the Vale Housing and Homelessness Forum were contacted; however no further response has been received.
5. The Member position for Shelter Cymru has not been represented during the course of the current municipal year.  In June 2017, the current Scrutiny Committee requested that the Forum be contacted to ascertain the relevant individual to attend Committee Meetings.  A subsequent resignation letter was received by the Scrutiny Chairman on 2nd February, 2018 and is attached at Appendix 1. 
6. The Committee, if minded to do so, may take the view to advise Full Council of the following:

• • • In light of the current vacancies and the circumstances described in the attached Appendix, recommend that the positions not be invited to be filled by the existing organisations on the Homes and Safe Communities Scrutiny Committee.
    • Invitations be extended to alternative organisations as identified by Members of the Homes and Safe Communities Scrutiny Committee.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

7. None as a direct result of this report.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

8. None as a direct result of this report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

9. Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 governs the appointments of non-elected members of the Authority to Committees.

Crime and Disorder Implications

10. None as a direct result of this report.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

11. None as a direct result of this report.

Corporate/Service Objectives

12. The Council's Scrutiny arrangements are designed to support effective scrutiny of the cross-cutting Corporate Plan actions.

Policy Framework and Budget

13. Membership of Scrutiny Committees is a Full Council decision.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

14. No Ward Member consultation is required.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

15. Homes and Safe Communities

Background Papers

Council Constitution

Contact Officer

Ms Amy Rudman, Scrutiny Support Officer, Tel: 01446 709855

Officers Consulted

Head of Democratic Services

Head of Housing and Building Services

Legal Services

Responsible Officer:

Jeff Wyatt, Head of Democratic Services