No declarations of interest were received.

No apologies for absence were received.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee held on 22 January, 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee held on 22 January, 2019 were presented.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

5.05 pm – Presentation on development work in Poolsbrook.

The Health and Wellbeing Officer and the Service Development Officer - Community Development (Chesterfield), Public Health gave a presentation on the partnership approach taken to meeting health and wellbeing needs in Poolsbrook.

The presentation gave details of the initial analysis of population data in the Staveley area, showing relatively low car ownership, limited physical activity and evidence of isolation in Poolsbrook, but good availability of local assets, green space and local groups. There had been consultation with the school headteacher and school parent teacher association (PTA) and at ‘Time 4 U’ cafes in Poolsbrook and other parts of Staveley and a summer fair in Poolsbrook. This had identified both positive aspects of the community and concerns about factors which limited health and wellbeing and about future developments.

In response to the identified needs a range of activities had been organised, including football, dance, boxing, exercise classes, a weight management group and craft activities. The initial response and participation in these had been positive, and the aim was to empower local people to continue these sustainably in the future. Further activities and another ‘Time 4 U café’ were planned to take place.

In response to Members’ questions it was explained that options to support other local groups looking to develop activities in other parts of the Staveley area would be considered at a workshop of the Staveley Health and Wellbeing Network in May.

Members expressed concern about difficulties for residents in Staveley accessing GP services with many having to travel to the practice at Grangewood, which also impacted on the availability for residents in Grangewood. These issues had been raised with local MPs.

Members referred to the positive impacts of sessions for parents and children being run in schools in Bolsover and of work experience places being offered to local school children in Birchwood.

The Committee expressed its support for the work being undertaken to improve health and wellbeing and the Chair thanked the Assistant Director - Health and Wellbeing, the Health and Wellbeing Officer and the Service Development Officer - Community Development (Chesterfield), Public Health for their contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(1)     That the ongoing work to improve health and wellbeing in the Staveley area be supported.

(2)     That the inclusion of health and wellbeing development work as an item on the Committee’s work programme for 2019/20 be considered as part of the annual scrutiny work programming in June.

For Minute Nos. 50 - 52 the Committee sat as the Council’s designated Crime and Disorder Committee, in accordance with Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006.

5.35 pm – Minutes of the Meeting of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel held on 24 January, 2019 attached.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, as Chesterfield Scrutiny Member of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP), had submitted the minutes of the meeting of the PCP held on 24 January, 2019 for the information of the Committee.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel meeting held on 24 January, 2019 be noted.

To move “That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act".

RESOLVED

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

5.40 pm - Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership Plan 2018-19 – Progress Report to be given at Meeting.

Safer Derbyshire Research and Information Unit Performance Report (December 2018) attached.

The Assistant Director - Health and Wellbeing presented the performance report as recorded by the Safer Derbyshire Research and Information Unit in respect of crime and disorder data as at December, 2018.

The crime data showed that reported crime in Chesterfield had increased by 7.2% in the 12 months to December, 2018, compared to an increase of 6.6% across Derbyshire, with crimes of violence, theft of vehicles and public disorder having the greatest increases. It was explained that the increase in recorded statistics was partly due to changes in how data was recorded, crimes now being recorded at the first point of contact.

Inspector Nicholls outlined the recent changes in the composition of Safer Neighbourhood Teams, resulting in a larger town centre team and a youth engagement team, which worked with schools and parents with the aim of stopping youth reoffending.

He explained that the team dealing with drugs issues had arrested 38 people and seized drugs to a value of £1/4 million since the beginning of the year. They had investigated 52 reports from residents with the aim to gather sufficient evidence to successfully prosecute dealers and suppliers. In response to Members’ questions he explained that PCSO Supervisors would shortly be appointed, which it was hoped would improve links and feedback to local community groups.

The Health and Wellbeing Manager reported that the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) action plan for 2019/20 was in the process of being developed, based on partnership working. The action plan would focus on targets in four priority areas – anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and sexual violence, theft and organised crime groups and substance misuse. He agreed to distribute copies of the draft action plan to members of the Committee once these were available.

He circulated information at the meeting on the activity of the Chesterfield night shelter which had operated at local churches since the beginning of December. This had provided over 1,000 meals and had been used by 101 individuals, many of whom had been supported in finding accommodation. The shelter would continue until the end of March, but was due to operate again over next winter from December.

In response to Members’ concerns, it was noted that the Council’s homelessness prevention service worked closely with the Pathways charity to support people with their accommodation needs. It was also noted that there was support via the Foodbank and various voluntary organisations providing meals each night of the week. Members asked to be provided with information on how to best refer homeless / rough sleeping concerns out of hours.

The Committee expressed its support of the work undertaken by the CSP, and the Chair thanked the Assistant Director - Health and Wellbeing and Inspector Nicholls for their contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(1)      That the Community Safety Partnership progress report be noted.

(2)      That a further progress report on the Community Safety Partnership’s Action Plan and Performance be provided to the Crime and Disorder Committee in September, 2019.

For the remaining items the Committee sat as the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee.

Readmission of the public following consideration of an item containing exempt information.

RESOLVED

That the public be readmitted to the meeting following consideration of an item containing exempt information.

6.10 pm – Progress Report attached.

The Client Manager, the Head of Operations and the Operational Benefits Manager presented a progress report on the implementation of Universal Credit (UC) in Chesterfield since the previous report to the Committee in November, 2018. 

The report referred to the continuing work by the benefits team with partners and stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcomes for claimants and the Council.

It highlighted that the provision of assisted claiming and budgeting support was due to transfer nationally to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in April, 2019. Locally Chesterfield CAB planned to provide 14 hours of support per week, although there was concern that this would not be sufficient to meet demand. Discussions were continuing with CAB regarding the transfer of this service and support would continue to be provided by the Council in the immediate term.

The Council and Arvato had recently introduced a new HMRC Help to Save tool to provide a savings bonus for some claimants.

Further recent developments were outlined, including managed migration on to UC being delayed until January 2020 and past underpayments of Employment and Support Allowance being corrected by DWP.

The report included the latest statistical information in respect of UC claims and referred to the availability of IT for claimants to keep their claims updated. The availability and information for claimants on this currently appeared to be sufficient, but would continue to be monitored.

The report outlined a range of financial information, including:

·        Average rent arrears of Council tenants affected by UC had reduced between December and February to £490;

·        As UC payments were based on 52 weeks despite 2019-20 being a 53 week rent year, information was being provided to tenants suggesting they could pay a small amount extra each week to avoid ending the year in arrears;

·        The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) budget allocated to the Council for 2019-20 had reduced by 20% to £189,696. If the appeal against this reduction was not successful consideration would have to be given making fewer awards or reducing the amount of each award.

It was noted that the Benefits Team continued to challenge the DWP in order to support claimants.

In response to questions from Members it was confirmed that the impact of the transfer of the assisted claim and budgeting support would be assessed by monitoring Council Tax and rent arrears figures. 

Members expressed their appreciation of the work being undertaken in supporting claimants, and the Chair thanked the Client Manager, the Head of Operations and the Operational Benefits Manager for their contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED -

(1)     That the ongoing work on the implementation of Universal Credit be supported.

(2)     That the inclusion of the implementation of Universal Credit as an item on the Committee’s work programme for 2019/20 be considered as part of the annual scrutiny work programming in June.

6.40 pm – Scrutiny Committee Recommendations Monitoring Schedule attached.

The Committee considered the Scrutiny recommendations monitoring schedule.

RESOLVED -

That the Scrutiny monitoring schedule be noted.

6.45 pm – Forward Plan of Key Decisions 1 April – 31 July, 2019 available via link below:

http://chesterfield.moderngov.co.uk/documents/l100/Printed%20plan%20March%202019.pdf?T=4

The Committee considered the Forward Plan for the period 1 April – 31 July, 2019.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

6.50 pm – Work programme attached.

The Committee considered the list of items included on its work programme for 2018/19.

It was noted that the scrutiny work programme for 2019/20 would be developed through a scrutiny work programming session on 4 June, 2019.

RESOLVED -

That the work programme be noted.