Agenda and minutes

Cllr Penman

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2015 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 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 progress made with the decommissioning of former sheltered housing schemes.

The Panel considered an update on the decommissioning process of former NFDC sheltered housing schemes.

As part of Hampshire County Council’s strategic review of older person’s accommodation in 2009, nine of the District Council’s sheltered housing schemes were identified as not being fit for purpose. Given this and uncertainty over related funding, it was decided these schemes should be decommissioned and instead provide general needs accommodation for younger persons (aged 45 years and over) in line with demand. All 9 of the schemes would be decommissioned over a period of three years, starting in 2016.

Tenants had now been informed that their schemes would be decommissioned and the timescales within which the Council planned to achieve these changes. Housing Officers in recognising the challenges of the decommissioning process were working to ensure that all tenants affected were regularly informed. 

Tenants’ Representatives explained that whilst they appreciated the need for additional housing and the efforts made regarding some of the solutions, they had concerns regarding how the Council aimed to fulfil its moral obligation in looking after elderly and vulnerable tenants who remained at the schemes. They also queried how the Council had dealt with those residents who had been apprehensive about the changes.

In response the Landlord Services Manager reminded tenants that the Council had landlord responsibilities only and that all care and support was the responsibility of Hampshire County Council and Adult Services.  The Landlord Services Manager explained that officers had been very thorough in their communication and support to the tenants most affected by the changes. Neighbourhood & Tenancy Management Assistants had visited every tenant affected, many having a second visit to include family members. Officers had received positive feedback since the age mix of tenants in schemes was introduced. All tenants, particularly those who had felt most apprehensive about the change, had been given the choice to move.

Tenants’ Representatives also requested that officers keep them consulted of the progress with the schemes and that Neighbourhood & Tenancy Management Officers ensure on-going communication on community support services to tenants. The Landlord Services Manager advised that an article on community services support had been included in the last edition of Hometalk and leaflets advertising the service had been placed on notice boards in all the schemes.

Members were pleased to hear that the new age range in the new accommodation was working well with younger tenants offering to swap their ground floor accommodation with elderly tenants who were experiencing mobility problems, showing there to be a sense of community within the schemes.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made with the decommissioning of the former sheltered housing/older person schemes be noted.

To consider whether to allow non-registered providers (private companies), to deliver intermediate/shared ownership housing on future developments.

The Committee considered a proposal to allow non-registered providers, private housing landlords, to deliver intermediate/shared ownership housing on future developments.

The Head of Housing and Customer Services explained that intermediate housing were homes for sale and rent provided at a cost above social rents but below market levels. This included shared ownership. Intermediate housing was currently provided by registered providers.

Currently private developers were having to sell the affordable housing element of new developments to housing associations and were in many cases not getting full market value for the properties. As such developers were requesting that the percentage of affordable housing element of developments be reduced.

It had come to the attention of Housing Officers that private companies were willing to buy affordable housing at a higher purchase price than some housing associations. If private companies were allowed to purchase the affordable housing from developers, development might continue at its current pace as opposed to reduce through lack of buyers.

The Panel supported the proposal.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel endorses the decision made by the Affordable Housing Board that Option 3 as set out in the report to the Panel, be implemented.

To note the changes in crime recording in Hampshire.

The Panel considered the changes in crime recording in Hampshire.

In 2014 Hampshire Constabulary was inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. The outcome of the inspection highlighted that Hampshire had one of the lowest compliance ratings for crime recording. As a result, Hampshire Constabulary made changes to the way in which they recorded crimes.

The new practices had been designed to focus on a victim, which had meant that a single call or incident might result in multiple crimes being recorded. This had meant that the changes in recording crimes had resulted in a slight increase in crime figures. The Police had reported that key indicative measures such as numbers of calls being received, footfall, cell usage showed no real change or increase in crime levels.

Members would have an opportunity to examine crime figures for the District in more detail at their next meeting when the Strategic Assessment would be presented for review.

In the meantime, Officers within the Community Safety team would keep an open dialogue with colleagues in Hampshire Constabulary to keep a watching brief on any increases in crime in the District.

RESOLVED:

That the changes in crime recording be noted and that officers advise the Panel if there were significant upward changes in crime reports.

To note the content of the draft Corporate Plan and pass any comments on to the Cabinet.

The Panel considered the draft of the new Corporate Plan for 2016-2020 – ‘Our Corporate Plan, which had been considered by the Cabinet on 4 November. Comments from the Panel would be considered at the Cabinet meeting in January 2016. The final Plan would be brought back to the Overview & Scrutiny Panels for further comment in early 2016.

            The Corporate Plan formed the keystone of the Council’s performance management system that drove all other plans and processes of the authority including the individual Portfolio Holder delivery plans.  Members were advised that an interactive version of the Plan would be made available to enable users to ‘drill down’ to specific targets thereby clearly demonstrating how this high level strategy was being implemented.  Publication of the Plan would be mainly through electronic means.

Members welcomed the more simplified and concise format of the Corporate Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel’s comments on the draft Corporate Plan for 2016-2020 as set out above be submitted to the Cabinet.

To receive the recommendations of the Task & Finish Group.

The Panel considered the progress report of the Task & Finish Group established to consider ways in which the Council, in partnership with key stakeholders, could mitigate the effects of child poverty in the District.

The Group has been working through the action plan presented and approved by the Panel at its meeting in June.

The Group had determined that there would be value in inviting members from the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Panel to examine the Council’s investment in community transport and the benefits for local community and the connection to those living with poverty.

The Panel continued to support the work of the Task & Finish Group and the suggestion of creating a joint Task & Finish Group with the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Panel to examine the issue of community transport.

RESOLVED:

(a)        That the achievements of the Task & Finish Group to date be noted;

(b)        That the future actions as set out in appendix 1 to the report to the Panel be supported;

(c)        That a joint task & finish group with the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Panel be established to consider community transport, with the terms of reference set out in appendix 2; and

(d)        That four members be appointed to the Group, with two members from the Overview & Scrutiny Panel and two members from the current Child Poverty Task & Finish Group. Nominations for the Group would be sought through an email to members seeking volunteers.

To agree the terms of reference for the Task & Finish Group and appoint members.

The Panel considered draft terms of reference for a Task & Finish Group to examine the issue of engaging Members in helping to address sedentary lifestyles across the District, the impact this has on the life of the individual and how the Council could encourage residents to increase participation in physical activity. 

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. It was also agreed that four 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 Sedentary Lifestyles be established with the following terms of reference:

•           Investigation how members can gain a better awareness and understanding of the benefits of healthier lifestyles and the services on offer within the district.

•           Examine how members can actively engage sedentary individuals to participate in physical activity and healthier lifestyles, seeking coverage across the District and bringing local experience to bear.

(b)        That Cllrs Davies, Russell  and O’Sullivan be appointed to the Task & Finish Group with the remaining place 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 receive a verbal update on the work of the Group.

The Panel considered a progress report from the Chairman of the CCTV Task & Finish Group.

The Group had had their first meeting in October and had agreed a way forward in determining camera retention and location including costings.  The Group would also examine transmission options and planned a visit to Bournemouth Borough Council to see how they managed their system.

Findings of the Group would be brought 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.

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

The Portfolio Holder for Housing & Communities reported that the Council was currently working towards achieving CCTV Accreditation which would provide business opportunities for the Council with regards to community alarms.

The Portfolio Holder thanked all Housing Officers involved in the work at Savoy House in the re-homing of tenants. The Housing Officers had worked tirelessly and had gone above and beyond the call of duty.

The Portfolio Holder for Health & Leisure reported on the following: -

?       The Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association (cCLOA) who represented senior strategic leaders managing public sector cultural, tourism and sport services were currently working with the Council on a project and undertaking two weeks of field work. The project, aimed at identifying how the Council could develop closer health partnerships would complete in March.

?       The Portfolio Holder reported that Totton Health and Leisure Centre had been awarded the Approved Training Centre of the year at the OPL National Conference (the development arm of the Royal Life Saving Society).  This was a national award and reflected the hard work and commitment by the lifeguards, swim instructors and assistants at the Leisure Centre.  They had also been awarded the Christopher Trenchard Trophy, for most life support awards delivered in Wessex

?       The “Never Too Old for Ping Pong Gold” had taken place on the 3 October 2015 with more that than 100 participants over the age of 65 taking part. The oldest player at the tournament was 95 year old from Fawley representing the New Forest.  The tournament had been organised by Waterside Table Tennis Club, which was named the second best table tennis club in England by Table Tennis England.  The New Forest had applied for, and been successful in, an application to be an England Table Tennis Priority Zone.

?       New Forest Dementia autumn/winter newsletter had been printed and would be distributed to libraries, NFDC Information Offices, Parish/Town councils, community pharmacies and GPs.

?       The New Forest Health and Wellbeing action plan was currently being refreshed following a workshop held on 15 September. Priority areas would continue to be starting well, living well, ageing well and healthy communities.

?       Two new men’s over 55 cooking courses had commenced on Wednesday 4 November for 6 weeks from 3.30pm-5.30pm at Totton Christian Centre and 6 November at New Milton Community Centre 10am-12pm. Both courses had received positive feedback so far.

?       Approximately 250 young people from schools across the District attended the Fit Fest event on 16 October held at Brockenhurst College. The event was aimed at raising awareness of mental health and ‘mindfullness’ of young people.

?       Eling Tide Mill was progressing and it was anticipated that the Mill would open in September 2016.

Cllr Clarke, the Council’s representative on the Police and Crime Panel was in attendance and updated the Panel on the recent work of the Panel.  He explained that the Panel were currently looking at the Government’s Prevent Strategy which formed part of the counter-terrorism strategy aimed at reducing terrorism, as well as the Channel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To consider Cllrs Harrison’s & Wade’s call-in the Health & Leisure Portfolio Holder’s decision on setting Health and Leisure Centre Fees and Charges 2016.

Please note: In accordance with the Council’s procedures, if two or more members wish to call in an Executive decision, the decision shall not be implemented until the procedure set out in Chapter 8 of the Council’s Constitution has been completed.

The Panel considered the Health and Leisure Portfolio Holder decision relating to health and leisure centre fees and charges 2016 which had been subject to a call-in.

The decision was published on 11 November 2015 and had been called in by Cllrs Harrison and Wade. As two members of the Council had called in the decision, in accordance with the procedures set out by the Council’s constitution, the matter needed to be determined by the Community Overview & Scrutiny Panel.

Cllr Harrison was in attendance and explained that he had called in the decision because he felt that redefining ‘seniors’ as age 65 plus from the current 60 plus would act as a disincentive for those aged 60-65 years to exercise in the Council’s health and leisure centres because of the increased costs. He felt that the decision would have a detrimental impact on participation levels of older people using leisure centres.

Cllr Binns responded that the decision reflected the Government’s retirement age policy as people were now living longer. If the decision was not implemented it would cost the Council approximately £52,000 which would be used to reinvest in the Health and Leisure Centres. He felt that the proposal was reasonable and fair. The implementation of the decision would be carried out to minimise impact on current members. The proposals would only affect new members. Current members would continue to receive the concession. Benchmarking information had showed that the Council offered real value for money for its Health and Leisure Centres and the increase of £130 would bring fees to a reasonable level. Those aged 65 plus, many of whom would be retired, would be encouraged to take out off-peak membership at a lower cost to peak membership under discussion.

Cllr Harrison felt that the increase costs in membership for ages 60 – 65 would discourage people from taking up membership and using leisure centres when the Council should be actively encouraging participation. He felt that the decision should be delayed until the matter had been given more consideration by the Sedentary Lifestyles Task & Finish Group.

Cllr Binns concluded that the decision brought the Council in-line with the Government’s retirement age. Current users understood and accepted this logic. The leisure centres were currently subsidised by the tax payer and the decision made financial sense and was a fair proposal.

Members of the Panel expressed the view that the Council still offered good value for money and that it was a logical decision to alter the concession to match the Government’s retirement age. Members acknowledged that the decision would not affect the GP referral schemes and users would be offered alternative memberships.

Having considered the issues raised, the Panel agreed to accept the Portfolio Holder’s decision without change/amendments. As such, the decision would be implemented and could not be called in for a second time.

RESOLVED:

That the Health & Leisure Portfolio Holder decision relating to health and leisure centre fees and charges 2016 be implemented immediately.