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Agenda and draft minutes

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Contact: Claire Mayhew 

Items
No. Item

22.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

No apologise were received.

23.

Minutes of the Community, Health and Leisure Committee held on 6th March 2017 pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Minutes:

 

The minutes from the Community, Health & Leisure Committee meeting held on 6th March 2017 were approved as a true record, subject to some clarification from Cllr Mrs Davies on Min 299 (Leisure Strategy).  The Chair informed the committee that a cross party working group will still be established, but under the Corporate Project Scrutiny Committee and requested that Cllr Mrs Davies membership to the working group continues.

 

Cllr Hubbard asked that her requested in Min 298 (Parish Council Liaison) for Warley Conservative Society to be included in the Parish Council Liaison Meetings, as a representative for the Warley area, be added.  Kim Anderson, will review this request.

 

 

24.

Minutes of the Environment and Housing Management Committee held on 9th March 2017 pdf icon PDF 122 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Environment and Housing Management Committee meeting held on 9th March 2017 were approved as a true meeting.

25.

Verbal update

Minutes:

Updates were received from Officers on:

 

Empty Homes

At the meeting of the Environment and Housing Management Committee on 9th March 2017Members recommended to identify and prioritise the current properties which have been empty for over two years in the Borough and to approve initial contact with owners to seek resolution.  The initial contact had been approved by the Chairman following draft copies of the letter being circulated.

 

Copies of the letter and an Empty Homes Questionnaire have been produced and have now been sent to 75 owners identified as paying 150% Council Tax as the properties have been empty for over two years.  Copies of the documents and any feedback from this initial contact will be provided as part of the subsequent report which is intended to be produced for the September meeting to outline the proposals for an Empty Homes Strategy.

 

A copy of the letter and questionnaire will be appendixes to a forthcoming report.

 

Landlord’s Forum

As part of our ongoing work with landlords in the Borough, we are planning to hold a Landlords Forum meeting this year to liaise and consult with our Private Sector Landlords.  These meetings were held annually, but due to reduced attendance at the last meeting had not been rearranged; it is hoped that we will be able to encourage more to attend and we are intending to arrange a meeting in September.

 

 

Draft revised Essex HMO Standards

The Government has been consulting on proposals to expand the licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to incorporate two-storey HMOs into licensing.  In preparation for this possible increase in licensed HMOs the Essex authorities are revising the HMO Standards document which is currently used as a reference and guidance across the County on suitable standards for multiple occupation. 

 

When the draft has been completed it is intended to consult across Essex largely through websites and engagement with relevant groups such as the Landlord’s Forum.

 

It is likely that the draft will be produced before the next Committee in which case we will carry out the consultation exercise and report any feedback with a report proposing adoption of the revised standard in the Borough to

co-ordinate with the other Essex Councils.

 

Public Open Space Protection Order

The Community Safety team are working with Essex Police to secure a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to deal with a number of key community safety issues being experienced in the Town Centre.  The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), Crime & Policing Act 2015 introduced a new power for Local Authorities to obtain a PSPO to deal with a particular nuisance in a particular area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can prohibit certain things or require specific things to be done.

 

The Order will seek to tackle issues relating to nuisance vehicles in William Hunter Way car park, aggressive begging in the High Street and anti-social behaviour within the multi storey car park in Coptfold Road, Brentwood.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Co-option of Tenants Representatives pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Minutes:

The report set out proposals to co-opt representatives of Tenants Talkback into the Community, Health and Housing Committee for housing related items, in accordance with the Council constitution.

 

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendation in the report and a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was:

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

1          Tenant Talkback be invited to send two representatives to each meeting of the Community, Health and Housing Committee where housing items are to be discussed.

 

2.         The representatives of Tenants Talkback be co-opted onto the committee for the duration of the consideration of these items, and have the right to speak, but not vote.

 

3.         The Housing Manager be requested to arrange appropriate training of the representatives.

 

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

This is an annual item and is to recognise two member of Tenant Talkback to be able to attend committee meetings where they can comment but not vote. This item must be annual as the members of Tenant Talkback are subject to change.

27.

Service Charge Policy pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report sets out the background and recommendation to adopt a formal written Service Charge Strategy. The strategy will allow for the implementation of a pricing mechanism relating to the servicing of Council owned HRA blocks/schemes (circa 48 blocks).

 

Service charging has not been reviewed since circa 1998 and there is currently no strategic document to underpin policy.

 

Service charges should apply to all residents of communal blocks and sheltered schemes (community housing). Service charges are currently contained within the global rent figure rather than being specifically listed and apportioned. In simple terms HRA income is not matching expenditure.

 

Rent charges (general stock) are currently subject to the Government’s mandatory 1% annual decrease. Having a combined rent/service charge figure means that income for service provision is also subject to an effective 1% decrease which is unnecessary. The Service Charge Strategy 2017 (Appendix A) seeks to address this income loss.

 

The Service Charge Strategy 2017 outlines the reasoning and direction relating to service charging. If adopted a Service Charge Policy containing a full pricing mechanism will be submitted at the next Committee.

 

Cllr Mrs Davies, requested a minor amended to standards within the draft policy from reasonable to good, this was noted by the Officer.

 

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendations in the report and a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was:

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

1.            That the Committee formally approve Option 2 (to implement the ‘Service Charge Strategy 2017’ (Appendix A)).

 

2.            That the Committee approve the development of a ‘Service Charge Policy’ (with pricing mechanism) for submission at the next committee.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

Option 2 is recommended as the most financially viable option for the Council and supports the ‘Getting our House in Order’ transformation programme for Housing Services.  It also ensures that Financial Services can code charges accurately against the Estates where services have been provided.

 

Taking no further action will fail to advance corporate priorities and would de stabilise financial resources.

 

 ‘At cost’ service charging of Tenants/Leaseholders in blocks/schemes introduces a fair and balanced approach across the entire housing stock. It also reflects in real terms the advantages those households currently benefit from and protects against service reduction elsewhere.

 

A Service Charge Strategy will allow the Council to:

 

·                Make an efficiency saving of approximately £13,000.00 per annum

(£65,000.00 over 5 years)

 

·                Meet its legal requirements.

 

·                Viably fund block/scheme service provision within the HRA housing stock.

 

·                Underpin and maintain service provision for residents.

 

·                     Support the corporate commitment to reducing expenditure and providing financially coherent and viable policies.

 

·                     Structure the Council’s approach to service charging for Tenants and Leaseholders, allowing for greater transparency and scrutiny of service provision.

 

The financial mechanism for ‘at cost’ service charging would be submitted for scrutiny and approval by Committee as part of the formal annual rent-setting process.

 

28.

Funding Strategy pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Funding Strategy (Appendix A) sets out the Council's strategic priorities and future funding plans for supporting the local voluntary and community sector through a variety of funding schemes. With reductions to funding across the public sector, Brentwood Borough Council needs to ensure that any funding it gives to organisations is targeted, supports the Council's priorities and provides effective support for the local community.

 

The Strategy also sets out a statement of principles in relation to future funding, includes the proposed governance arrangements that will be implemented to review and report funding and the timescales within which these will occur.

 

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Ms Sanders SECONDED the recommendations in the report and a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was:

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

The Funding Strategy will ensure that the funding the Council allocates is targeted in the appropriate areas to support those most in need. The Council also needs to ensure that resources are allocated appropriately when looking to maximise external funding opportunities.

 

(Cllr Mrs Davies declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of being a volunteer for Brentwood Community Print, Cllr Ms Rowlands declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of being the Council’s representative for the Citizens Advice Bureau (Brentwood) and Cllr Poppy declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of being a volunteer driver for Brentwood Community Transport).

 

29.

Safeguarding Strategy 2017-2020 pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Safeguarding includes all forms of activity that aims to protect or promote the welfare of individuals and/or groups of people. This includes activity which ensures prevention of harm, safe recruitment, staff training, awareness raising, provision of activities designed to promote inclusion, personalised risk management and risk assessments, confidential data storage, information sharing and making referrals. Brentwood Borough Council’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures provides guidance and procedures that can support staff and elected Members on their legal obligations to safeguard children, young people and adults with care and support needs.

 

The existing Safeguarding Policy and Procedures has been reviewed and updated to ensure that it complies with the latest legislation to provide guidance to staff and elected Members. The revised Safeguarding Policy and Procedures (Appendix A) is before Members to approve.

 

Cllr Mrs Hubbard, enquired about the DBS check for outside organisation undertaken events within the Borough. Kim Anderson, informed Cllr Hubbard of the regulatory and non-regulatory contact criteria is within the appendix. That no DBS check is required for one off events and where parents are present.

 

Cllr Ms Davies, requested Safeguarding Training and DBS Register to be implemented for all Members.

 

Cllr Barrell, thanked officers for a very comprehensive report and asked if Safeguarding includes all forms of activity that aims to protect or promote the welfare of individuals and/or groups of people. This includes activity which ensures prevention of harm, safe recruitment, staff training, awareness raising, provision of activities designed to promote inclusion, personalised risk management and risk assessments, confidential data storage, information sharing and making referrals. Brentwood Borough Council’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures provides guidance and procedures that can support staff and elected Members on their legal obligations to safeguard children, young people and adults with care and support needs.

 

The existing Safeguarding Policy and Procedures has been reviewed and updated to ensure that it complies with the latest legislation to provide guidance to staff and elected Members. The revised Safeguarding Policy and Procedures (Appendix A) is before Members to approve.

 

Cllr Mrs Hubbard, enquired about the DBS check for outside organisation undertaken events within the Borough. Kim Anderson, informed Cllr Hubbard of the regular and non-regular contact criteria within the appendix, which confirms that no DBS check are required for one off events and where parents are present.

 

Cllr Ms Davies, requested Safeguarding Training and DBS Register to be implemented for all Members.

 

Cllr Barrell, thanked officers for a very comprehensive report and asked if Witchcraft Crime could be included in the policy.  This is noted by the Officer.

 

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendation in the report and a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was:

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

1.            That Members agree to the revised Safeguarding Policy and Procedures as set out in Appendix A.

 

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

The Safeguarding Policy and Procedures (Appendix A) has been reviewed and revised to take into account any new legislation and emerging issues, so that the Council can meet its safeguarding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

Better Care and Disabled Facilities Grant Funding pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Minutes:

The report seeks authority to consider appropriate ways to best utilise the capital funding received from the Better Care Fund to support disabled facilities and enable residents to continue to live independently.

 

Cllr Ms Sanders, this grant funding bonds nicely with the Health and Wellbeing and I strongly support option 4 (Home form Hospital Scheme).  Draw in links between Social Service, local hospital and Occupational Health to return elderly patients back to their homes with the necessary requirements for their rehabilitation.

 

Cllr Mrs Hubbard, expressed concerns about patients requiring rehabilitation beds before return home. Liaise with Brentwood Community Hospital maybe required.

 

Cllr Cloke, recommended Brentwood Access Group as a worthy benefactor to the funding and requested more communication between Planning and Housing Officer relating to access requirements.

 

Cllr Chilvers, more marketing of the funding is required.  Some residents still do not have internet access and are aware of the service. Fully support the Handy Person Service and would benefit many with day to day maintenance in their homes.

 

With helping with Tracy Lilley and Community Safety, door chains can be fixed with advice and support from the Police and Fire Service on making their homes safe and secure.

 

David Carter, informed the committee that Disabled Facilities grant funding is means tested. Cllr Chilvers felt that residents would pay for the service, if they didn’t meet the criteria.

 

The Chair confirmed that Officers and Members working together on the favoured option, Home from Hospital Scheme and Handy Person Services going forward.

 

Promotion of this service to be undertaken by the Communications Dept, with the suggestion of using Community Safety Roadshow.

 

After a full discussion, Cllr Ms Sanders MOVED and Cllr Mrs Davies SECONDED the recommendations in the report and a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was:

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

1          That officers investigate potential solutions to fully utilise Better Care funding provided for the benefit of vulnerable residents in the Borough

 

2          Assessment of the options available will be made and determined following consultation and agreement from the Community, Health and Housing Committee

 

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

To make effective use of Better Care Fund allocations to the Council to provide assistance to those most in need with the aim of integrating with medical care facilities to reduce strain on these resources.

 

31.

Urgent Business

Minutes:

There were no items of Urgent Business.

 

 

The meeting concluded at 20.43