Council and Democracy

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 2, Town Hall, Rose Hill, Chesterfield

Contact: Amanda Clayton  01246 34 5273

Items
No. Item

13.

Declarations of Members' And Officers' Interests Relating To Items On The Agenda

Minutes:

Councillor Coy declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 7 as she is a trustee of Pathways.

14.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ludlow.

15.

Cabinet Member for Housing - Careline Funding Review pdf icon PDF 48 KB

5.00pm

Minutes:

The Careline and Support Service Manager presented a report to the committee, giving an update on Derbyshire County Council’s (DCC) review of its eligibility criteria for funding people receiving a community alarm/telecare service.

 

The committee heard that DCC held a consultation earlier this year and had decided in June to implement their new policy from 1 November 2019. The new policy had eligibility criteria focussed on supporting adults with an eligible health and social care need as defined by the Care Act 2014.

 

It was noted that existing users would continue to receive funding if they remained in their current property or if they had to temporarily move to another property and this would equate to over 900 clients in Chesterfield. In the future, all residents would be assessed by DCC and the Careline service had requested more information on the exact criteria.

 

An evaluation of the impact that these changes will have will be carried out, including a risk assessment in the event that the funding is no longer available. Officers had started to gather information and case studies to demonstrate the role that the Careline service plays in the wider context of the health system within the county.

 

It was noted that DCC was carrying out a full review of its activities and funding for community alarms/telecare services, and expects  to introduce any changes from 1st April 2021. A draft paper on this was expected in spring 2020.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.   That the report be noted.

2.   That the Careline and Support Service Manager give a further update to the committee in 2020 when the draft review paper is available.

16.

Local Government Act - Exclusion of the Public

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

 

Part 2 (Non Public Information)

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

17.

Cabinet Member for Housing - New Council Homes

5.30pm

Minutes:

The Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager presented a report to the committee which set out how the council identifies land to develop and also the sustainability of new council homes.

 

A discussion took place around the pros and cons of modular construction methods versus traditional builds. The committee heard that a number of factors were considered when choosing construction methods; such as the number of properties being built, the time constraints for building and the time constraints for funding.

 

The Assistant Director for Housing assured the committee that modular builds would be considered at every opportunity, although there is a shortage of developers with this area of expertise. There was an awareness that modular builds can have a lower carbon footprint which fits with the council’s aspirations to become carbon neutral. Further research would be necessary to look at the longevity of modular builds and assess different suppliers.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.   That the report be noted.

2.   That a visit be arranged to the Heaton Court site to view the modular build houses once they were nearing completion

18.

Cabinet Member for Housing - Homelessness

6.00pm

Minutes:

The Housing Options Manager presented a report to the committee giving a summary of the night shelter project following receipt of the final exit report from the Derby City Mission.

 

It was noted that the financial contribution made by the council to the night shelter project was £15,000 and the night shelter in turn contributed to our statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Rough Sleeper Strategy 2018. 40 people were able to access accommodation as a result of the help they received at the night shelter.

 

One of the key recommendations made for the night shelter for winter 2019/2020 was to increase the hours of the co-ordinator employed there. This had already been agreed at the time of the committee meeting. A key focus would be to increase the number of people going on to access alternative accommodation and to work more closely with health providers to signpost users to other services.

 

Funding for the night shelter beyond 2019/2020 is not guaranteed as no grants had been agreed. It was proposed that the committee make a recommendation to Cabinet that the Council continue to work with the Derby City Mission and support the night shelter in securing funding for the foreseeable future.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.   That the report be noted.

2.   That a recommendation be made to Cabinet that the Council continue to work with the Derby City Mission and support the night shelter in securing funding for the foreseeable future.

19.

Local Government Act - Re-admission of the Public

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

That, after consideration of an item containing exempt information, the public be re-admitted to the meeting.

20.

Scrutiny Project Group report on the Future of the old Queen's Park Sports Centre pdf icon PDF 149 KB

6.30pm

Minutes:

The Chair of the Scrutiny Project Group presented a report on the Future Use of the Former Queen’s Park Sports Centre Site. Three key aspects were highlighted to the committee;

·        The design of the pitch and the surrounding landscaping to complement the heritage value of the park

·        The framework contract arrangement which worked effectively and enabled the project to be delivered in a timely manner and within budget

·        The marketing and pricing structure, which was designed to enable use of the pitch by a variety of existing and community groups. There had already been a very positive uptake with over 90% of the peak times already booked.

 

It was noted that the project group was very pleased with the outcome and the Chair thanked the members of the Project Group for their work on this project and all those who have contributed to its work, particularly Ian Waller as Assistant Director – Health and Wellbeing, Brian Offiler – Democratic and Scrutiny Officer and Councillor John Dickinson as Assistant Cabinet Member (until May 2019).

 

The Assistant Director for Health and Wellbeing echoed these sentiments. The key objective was to create something that fulfilled a need in the community but was also sympathetic to the heritage of the park. The landscaping had been started but by the spring time it should be completed. It was acknowledged that the feedback from members of the public had been fantastic.

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the report and recommendations be approved for submission to cabinet.

 

21.

Scrutiny Monitoring pdf icon PDF 102 KB

6.50pm

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Scrutiny recommendations monitoring schedule.

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Scrutiny monitoring schedule be noted.

 

22.

Forward Plan

Minutes:

The Forward Plan for the four month period 1 December, 2019 to 31 March, 2020 was presented for information.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That the Forward Plan be noted.

 

23.

Work Programme for the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 103 KB

7.10pm

Minutes:

The 2019/20 Work Programme for the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee was reported for information.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That the work programme be noted and updated to include the decisions of the current meeting.

 

24.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 83 KB

7.20pm

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

The Minutes of the meeting of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee held on 18 July, 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.