Agenda and minutes

were received from Cllr Mrs Cerasoli and Cllr Binns, Health & Leisure Portfolio Holder.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2015 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2015 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by members in connection with an agenda item.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

No issues were raised during the public participation period.

To consider the effects of sedentary lifestyles and how the Council can engage residents into healthier lifestyles and exercise.  This discussion will also include short videos and contributions from invited guests.

The Panel considered the issue of sedentary lifestyles, the impact this had on the life of the individual and how the Council encouraged residents to increase participation in physical activity. 

Members were shown video footage which highlighted the benefits of an active lifestyle and the varied types of activities across the District in which residents could participate.

The Public Health England 2015 profile highlighted that the situation in the New Forest was positive, with 61% of adults in the District being ‘physically active’. The Council carried out varied work to encourage people to become more active. Whilst some of this work was delivered directly, other work was delivered through and with partners.

Mrs Melrose from Grayfriers Community Centre, Ringwood, Mr Day from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, and Mr Eager, a user of Applemore and Totton Health and Leisure Centres, were in attendance and spoke on the range of activities that took place across the District, including the Health and Leisure Centres, to encourage physical activity and the positive impact these had on the health and wellbeing of individuals.

Members asked a number of questions to which answers were given.

Panel members expressed the view that the services and projects currently being delivered by the Council and its partners to encourage residents into healthier and more active lifestyles was at the appropriate level. Some members felt that more work could be done, with member involvement, to better communicate the activities on offer and the benefits of an active lifestyle. Members suggested that a small task & finish group be established to look into this matter.

RESOLVED:

(a)             That the Council’s work in engaging individuals and families in New Forest District to lead more active lifestyles and target intervention work with inactive groups be supported;

(b)             That the extent of the current level of provision within the District be supported; and

(c)             That a task & finish group be established to examine ways in which the Council, with the help of elected members, could better communicate the provision on offer and the benefits of an active lifestyle, with draft terms of reference for this group being submitted to the November meeting.

To receive an update from the Child Poverty Task & Finish Group.

The Panel considered the interim report of the Child Poverty Task & Finish Group.

Cllr Mrs Ward was in attendance and spoke on the challenges facing children and young people in the District. Of particular concern was the mental health of children and young adults as well as the poor vocabulary of school age children. She requested that the task and finish group examine these issues in their future work. She also requested that the Council continue to work closely with the local children’s centres, and asked that the cluster meetings held by the five children’s centres in the District be held, at no charge, at Appletree Court. The Head of Public Health & Community Safety agreed to action this request.

The Council’s Health & Policy Development Manager informed members of the current work taking place in the District with children and young people’s emotional wellbeing as well as work to improve health and mortality rates of the gypsy and traveller community. 

RESOLVED:

(a)             That the Task & Finish Group continue through to the March Panel meeting, so as to pursue the items for actions identified in Appendix 1 to the Panel;

(b)             That the schedule of actions set out in Appendix 1 to the Panel be agreed; and

(c)             That the final action schedule be presented at the November Panel meeting.

To agree the terms of reference for a task and finish group and appoint members to the group.

            The Panel considered draft terms of reference for a Task & Finish Group to investigate the performance of individual CCTV cameras in the District.

The Panel considered and agreed the terms of reference for the Task & Finish Group as set out in paragraph 2.1 of the report to the Panel. Given the financial and technical implications the potential removal of cameras would have, members suggested that the terms of reference also include the following: -

“That any recommendations for camera removal/relocation/installations must be subject to technical and financial viability studies before any implementation is considered”.

It was also agreed that five members be appointed to the Group. The findings of the Group would be reported to the Panel in January 2016.

RESOLVED:

(a)             That a Task and Finish Group on CCTV cameras be established with the following terms of reference:

·          Using statistics from the Police, CCTV Service and/or other sources, assess the performance of individual CCTV cameras located within the District.

·          Provide officers with clear guidance on which cameras should be removed, repositioned or remain in their current location.

·          That any recommendations for camera removal/relocation/installations must be subject to technical and financial viability studies before any implementation is considered

(b)             That Cllrs Britton, Davis and White be appointed to the Task & Finish Group with two other places being allocated at the discretion of the Chairman of the Panel; and

(c)             That the Task & Finish Group report back to the Panel in January 2016.

To consider the Panel’s future work programme, and make changes where necessary.

The Panel considered their future work programme as set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel’s work programme set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes be agreed.

The Panel is requested to fix its meeting dates for 2016/2017. The following dates are suggested (all Tuesdays at 6.00 p.m.):-

14 June 2016

20 September 2016

15 November 2016

17 January 2017

14 March 2017

RESOLVED:

That the Panel meets on the following dates (all Tuesdays at 6.00 p.m.) in 2016/17:-

14 June 2016

20 September 2016

15 November 2016

17 January 2017

14 March 2017

An opportunity for the Portfolio Holders to provide an update to the Panel on any issues.

            The Portfolio Holder for Health & Leisure was unable to attend the meeting but a number of updates had been circulated to members prior to the meeting.

            The Portfolio Holder for Housing & Communities reported that the decommissioning of sheltered housing within the District was underway.  The purchase of houses and land acquisition was also progressing well.    The Portfolio Holder said that she was still awaiting a steer from the Government with regards to refugees.

            Members were informed that interviews had been carried out to fill the vacant Community Safety Officer’s post. Unfortunately an appointment had not been made. Consequently a temporary post holder had been appointed until the role could be re-advertised. The focus of the temporary appointee would be to draft a strategic assessment of crime and disorder in line with the Council’s statutory duty.  This assessment would take into account the realities of the resources that were available in the current financial climate.

The changes to community alarms were progressing.  These included a review of procedures in place and changes and improvements to the staffing structure. The Telecare Services Association (TSA) would carry out a provisional audit of the unit next month. This audit would provide a gap analysis to enable the Council to continue making changes in order to gain TSA accreditation.

The Council’s involvement in the Supporting Troubled Families Programme continued to be successful. The programme currently had 48 New Forest families in the scheme. A further 209 families had already had successful outcomes from engagement with the programme.