No apologies for absence had been received.

All present at the meeting observed a minute’s silence in memory of Malcolm Knights, the former Head of Housing, who had passed away the previous day.

The minutes of the Housing and Health Committee meeting held on 11 March 2015 and the Community Committee meeting held on 25 March 2015 were approved as a true record.

Brentwood Borough Council must provide Service Plans for approval by Members with respect to its statutory obligations to enforce all relevant provisions of food safety and health and safety legislation within its area. These Service Plans identified how the service intended carrying out the proactive and reactive elements of inspections and investigations to ensure the continuing safety of both business employees and the public. It also included measures taken to aid businesses in compliance such as the provision of training and the food hygiene rating scheme.

Cllr Russell MOVED and Cllr Wiles SECONDED the recommendation in the report.  Following a full discussion and officers being thanked for their work in relation to Food Safety and Health and Safety, it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

That the Food Safety and Health and Safety Enforcement Service Plans 2015/16 (Appendices A & B) be approved.

Reasons for Recommendation

Members are requested to approve these Plans as they directly affect the welfare of businesses, the public and visitors to the Borough. The Food Safety Plan ensures that high standards are maintained in commercial food production, and the Health and Safety Plan ensures the safety of local employees, the public and visitors to businesses.

The Council operated public space CCTV within the town centre of Brentwood, Shenfield and other areas of the Borough in accordance with the CCTV Code of Practice which was revised in October 2010.

The report before Members sought  agreement to revise and update the Code of Practice, having regard to current guidance, and to install signs to increase awareness of the areas covered by CCTV in the Borough.

Cllr Russell MOVED and Cllr Faragher SECONDED the recommendations in the report and following a discussion it was RESOLVED:

1.         That Officers be instructed to revise the CCTV Code of Practice to incorporate the requirements of the Information Commissioner and Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Codes and to consult with the Police and other relevant stakeholders and to bring the new Code back to the next Community and Health Committee meeting for decision.

2.         That signs informing members of the public of the areas covered by CCTV be erected in accordance with the ICO recommendations

Officers advised that Members were welcome to visit the CCTV control room at the Town Hall by arrangement.

Reason for Recommendation

To keep policies and operating procedures up to date.

The ward budget allocation had been made available to Members since 2012. The aim of this Localism scheme was to make the process as simple as possible whilst ensuring that key principles were met, and that the Council’s legal and financial positions were safeguarded. It had enabled all Councillors to have the ability to make vital contributions to projects carried out in their local communities by local organisations.

Following the success of previous years’ Ward Budget schemes, Members would  once again have an allocation of £675 to distribute to proposed community schemes within their wards.

It was proposed to amend the governance to accord with local elections in order to safeguard the grant for new Members.

Cllr Russell MOVED and Cllr Ms Sanders SECONDED the recommendation and it was RESOLVED:

That the revised Ward Budget Allocation Guidance attached to the report as Appendix A be agreed.

Reasons for Recommendation

The change of opening date will allow newly elected Members to be able to propose the expenditure of the whole allocation for their ward.

Report to follow.

Local authorities had a key role in improving good mental health and promoting wellbeing in their communities. In 2014, Members voted unanimously to become Mental Health Champions and adopt seven of the ten challenges outlined in the ‘No Health without Mental Health; Implementation Framework.’ The Mental Health Challenge was set up by various Mental Health charities and was funded by the Department of Health.

The Council was committed to serving and protecting the most vulnerable residents in our community and had been working closely with key organisations to take a proactive approach in promoting good mental health across the Borough in order to fulfil its’ commitment to mental health.

An action plan was proposed for Members to agree to continue the work already underway in progressing the mental health agenda.  

Cllr Ms Sanders MOVED and Cllr Mrs Coe SECONDED the recommendation and following a discussion it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

The Mental Health Action Plan for 2015/16 as at paragraph 4.1 of the report be agreed.

Reasons for Recommendation

To ensure that the Council continues to fulfil its commitment to the Mental Health Challenge and protecting our most vulnerable residents. 

There was no urgent business.

-----------------------------------

The meeting ended at 8.15pm