Report from Peter Harris District Councillor July 18 2012

Julian Hamilton and I have been able to attend most meetings of the Council recently. The Council meeting was Tuesday July 17 so apologies for the late publication of this report.

Council Tax base and rebates

One issue of importance to the Town and many of its residents affects Council Tax and Council Tax rebates. The Coalition Government has had to reduce its support of the Benefits payments to support Council Tax by 10% or about £100K. Simultaneously NSDC will probably be given powers to increase its income by reducing the discounts that are given on certain categories of property like that on unoccupied empty houses.

At the Full Council meeting Julian and I were trying to press that this additional income be applied to reduce the £100K reduction. We proposed that the rather more fierce reductions on Council Tax benefits proposed by the Tories such as reducing the level of savings above which no benefits would be payable from £16K to £8K. should be reduced.

Unfortunately, the vote was lost by 1 vote, and we wait to see what Scheme for the Council Tax will emerge from the Council. There will be an Extraordinary meeting of the Policy O&S to scrutinize the suggested Scheme.

It is likely, therefore, that there will be an effect on the Council Tax base in Southwell, and the Town’s precept will be seen to go up for most residents, even if our overall precept charge remains the same.

Cabinet system

The Council has agreed to end the Cabinet system and move to a decision making Committee process after May 2013. There has been discussions about how this is to be achieved continue, but there is no definitive information at present. It is likely, however, that Committees will mimic the current areas of Portfolio holders of the Cabinet, and this makes some sense.

The District Council’s glorious offices, Kelham Hall – a Grade 1 listed building designed by the same architect C Gilbert Scott as St Pancras Station – they are trying to sell it off now.

Town Centre management

There are some issues about how the District Council will support the economic development and vitality of the town. Although the Council has passed a strategy for Town Centres, nearly all of this was specific to Newark. Julian and Peter have been working to develop a clear strategy for Southwell, as distinct from other town centres.

Car park income continues to be below the Council’s expectations. Peter Harris has lobbied for a better residents parking scheme. There have been no sales of residents parking in King Street off street car park despite a clear demand. This was due to the high cost imposed.

This lobbying has resulted in a proposal to reduce these charges, and we hope that this will be taken to a Cabinet meeting shortly.

King Street residents’ access to the top of Church St is another issue that is being pursued. Resolution to this matter will reduce some opposition from residents to the closure of King Street as its partial or complete pedestrianisation. Peter Harris is awaiting further discussions between officers at Kelham Hall.

Further ideas for supporting the vitality of the town are being explored by officers at the District Council and Peter Harris is exploring ways in which this can be co-ordinated. We will report progress.

Julian is attending a working party on Tourism Development where Southwell’s tourism support will be discussed. The meetings are a continuation of previous working parties attended by Peter, where the development of the TICs in Newark and Ollerton were matched withthe performance of Southwell’s.

District Council Audit

There has been concern about a significant number of ‘unsatisfactory’ internal audits at the Council, which have risen to 53% last year.

The Internal Auditor also reports that there are a number of recommendations that have not followed up with progress. Julian Hamilton is following up issues related to the cost of the externalised audit that do not appear to have given the savings that were suggested.

Housing Stock

Council Housing in Southwell has been run by Newark and Sherwood Homes, a wholly owned company of N&SDC for a number of years.

The Council has extended N&H’s contract until Sept 2013, and is currently considering how to manage the housing stock after this time.

There is a majority view that N&SH should continue with an opportunity to develop further services for its tenants. N&SH generates a small profit every year, and is looking to invest this in improved services. Peter Harris sits on the Working Party that is looking at this process and how N&SDC and N&SH could co-operate to reduce costs for both.

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