Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber Town Hall. View directions

Contact: J Bayley  Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

14.

Apologies and named substitutes

Minutes:

Councillor Baker-Price welcomed Members and explained that he was trying another seating plan.

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Matthew Dormer, Gay Hopkins, Nina Wood-Ford and Paul Swansborough. 

 

The Committee was advised that Councillors Michael Chalk, Anita Clayton and Natalie Brookes were attending as substitute Members for Councillors Matthew Dormer, Gay Hopkins and Nina Wood-Ford respectively.  

15.

Declarations of Interest and of party whip

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and / or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests, and any Party Whip.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest nor of any party whip.

16.

Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 1st June 2017 pdf icon PDF 287 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that

 

the minutes of the meeting held on 1st June 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

17.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sustainability and Transformation Plan - Update pdf icon PDF 828 KB

(Background information attached and presentation to follow).

Minutes:

Prior to the commencement of this item, the Chair announced that it was anticipated that this item would finish at 7:30pm, as the guest speaker had a prior commitment.  The Chair requested that after the presentation he would suggest that any questions from the Committee were taken first, followed by questions from those Members sat in the public gallery.

 

Members were reminded that a written update on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sustainability and Transformation Plan had been made available to all Redditch Borough Councillors.

 

The Chair then welcomed back Sue Harris from the Worcestershire Health and Care Trust to the meeting. 

 

The Committee received an update presentation (a copy of the presentation slides are attached at Appendix 1) from Ms Harris on the progress of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP).

 

Ms Harris reported that the STP refresh documents had now been published and would be distributed to Clinical Commissioning Groups in July 2017. 

 

There had been significant progress since her last presentation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in December 2016.

 

The presentation covered:-

·         A reminder of what STPs are trying to do

·         Why? To address our Biggest Challenges

·         What we will focus on

·         A reminder of the journey so far

·         Engagement on the STP

·         Summary of Engagement Issues

·         Five Year Forward View Next Steps update

·         The main changes from November

·         Accountable Care Systems

·         Next steps

 

The footprint for Worcestershire was to work where it made sense, working in Bromsgrove, Redditch and also other specialist districts where needed.  The NHS was flat rate income funded and expenditure was increasing. It was hoped that by working together as organisations and patients and communities things could be done better for health and social care in Herefordshire and Worcestershire whilst achieving efficiencies; by supporting people to stay at home longer and using resources to prevent or support illnesses in different ways. 

 

Digital intervention was also being looked into, to enable patients to become increasingly confident in managing their own condition supported by useful and usable technology.

 

In response to questions from Members, Ms Harris highlighted that a Prevention Board had been established to specifically look at prevention and self care, which was seen as paramount.  A number of practical actions would come under the umbrella of the Prevention Board in order to help people make certain lifestyle changes.  Prevention and self care would help free up some valuable General Practitioners (GPs) time.

 

There were some differences and variations across the country between Minor Injuries Units (MIU’s) and Accident and Emergency services, such as waiting times, opening hours and the type of service offered.  There was a need to make sure that the workforces for both of these services had a good working relationship, so that people were given a clear understanding of what was available for each of these services. The potential for ‘scaling up’ MIU’s with GP practices was being looked at and standardised opening hours for MIU’s in Worcestershire.  The idea was to co-ordinate and standardise  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Leisure Intervention Work and Options for a Leisure Trust - Pre-Scrutiny (Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Resources) pdf icon PDF 366 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Director Finance and Corporate Resources presented the Strategic Intervention Update that was undertaken with regard to the purpose of “Provide Good Things to See, Do and Visit”.  (a copy of the presentation slides are attached at Appendix 2).

 

The Executive Director Finance and Corporate Resources highlighted that since Members had only received the report and Strategic Intervention Framework 24 hours prior to the meeting, she would go through the proposed next steps in more detail and that the presentation would cover everything contained within the report.

 

She highlighted to the Committee that leisure services was a small element of ‘Things To Do’.  During the last 18 months officers had been identifying and delivering ways to reduce the costs of leisure provision to ensure that should an alternative delivery model be approved then the service was at its most efficient.

 

The Executive Director Finance and Corporate Resources drew Members’ attention to page 15 in the report, which looked at the overall system purpose, to help understand and look at the purpose of those leisure facilities, what people’s needs were and if they were being met.

 

Partnership working was also seen as an important link, with regard to health preventative measures, working with relevant partners to provide and improve activities that encouraged people to be active.

 

Members were further informed that officers had identified 3 options for the delivery of leisure and cultural services across the Borough:

 

·         Continued in-house management

·         External Delivery via an external leisure management

·         Creation of a new leisure trust

 

There was a need for local authorities to be more commercial whilst still maintaining a social conscience.  There was an opportunity for the Council to establish its own company to undertake the operation of the facilities and services. This would be either a Teckal company or other social enterprise model (trust).  These both offered the opportunity for the Council to retain greater influence and control.  Both models would benefit from VAT and Business rate savings.

 

Having considered a recent creation of a Teckal arrangement for Newark and Sherwood, officers had identified that the cost of setting up such a model would be approximately £30,000 to £50,000.

 

The Executive Director Finance and Corporate Resources clarified to the Committee, the membership requirements for a Teckal company and that relevant elected Members would sit on that Board. 

 

The Executive Director Finance and Corporate Resources stated that as the Section 151 (s151) officer, she would advise the Committee that additional work needed to be carried out.  In her opinion there was not sufficient information currently, an additional survey should be conducted, to include consulting on a wider scale with residents who did not use / access services. 

 

At this stage in the meeting and with the agreement of the Chair, the Democratic Services Officer reminded Members of the findings and recommendations from the Leisure Services Options Short, Sharp Review Final Report, which had looked at the potential of a leisure trust; and that the recommendations included in the final report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Topic Proposal Form - Civil Protection and Emergency Capability Short Sharp Review (Councillor Baker-Price) pdf icon PDF 130 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Proposals were considered for a Short, Sharp Review on the subject of Civil Protection and Emergency Planning Capability, as detailed in the scoping document attached at Appendix 1 to report.

 

Councillor Baker-Price presented the Civil Protection and Emergency Planning Capability Scrutiny Proposal Form.  He informed the Committee that the Grenfell Tower fire in London had drawn public attention nationally on how local authorities planned and protected the public during emergencies.

 

The civil contingencies act 2004 (The act) required the Council as a category 1 responder to assess, plan and advise the public in the event of emergencies.  The act defines an emergency in section 1 of the act which; included a diverse range of events such as disruption to food supplies, the substantial loss of life and homelessness.

 

Although these types of emergencies were highly unlikely to occur, if they did happen the response of Redditch Borough Council (RBC) would be vital to the protection of life and the public at large.

 

Members raised several questions and in doing so, sought clarification from the Executive Director Finance and Corporate Resources on emergency planning for the Borough.

 

The Executive Director Finance and Corporate Resources reassured Members that like all other authorities, Redditch Borough Council had a responsibility to make plans for the protection of the public and the continuity of its services following a major disaster.  Redditch Borough Council’s Disaster Plan required comprehensive training, testing and maintenance of the Plan.  The Corporate Management Team worked on a rota basis as Emergency Planning duty officers. There was also a requirement for senior officers to complete an online emergency plan every two weeks to ensure a structure was in place. During the last five months officers have worked on updating business continuity plans. 

 

Further discussion followed whereby Members questioned as to why a review was necessary if a disaster plan was already in place.  Members should not have to rely on a short sharp review to put things right. 

 

Members also commented that Member training was available in order for Members to be able to see what was in place.

 

Other Members stated that Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council would have had an emergency disaster plan in place.  But we should test our systems to see how the Council dealt with unexpected circumstances.

 

The Executive Director Finance and Corporate Resources asked the Committee if they wanted to consider inviting the Head of Planning and Regeneration, who was the lead officer for emergency planning, to the next meeting of the Committee.

 

RESOLVED that

 

the Civil Protection and Emergency Planning Capability, Short Sharp Review be launched.

 

20.

West Midlands Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Wheeler on behalf of Councillor Wood-Ford)

Minutes:

The Committee were informed that Councillors Nina Wood-Ford and Jennifer Wheeler were unable to attend the West Midlands Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 4th July 2017, and had submitted their apologies.

 

At the request of the Chair it was

 

RESOLVED that

 

a copy of the West Midlands Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee agenda for the meeting held on 4th July 2017 be distributed to all Committee Members for information.

21.

Mental Health Services for Young People Task Group - Recommendation 4 Update Report (Democratic Services Officer) pdf icon PDF 134 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Officer introduced the report and in doing so drew Members’ attention to Appendix 1 to the report.

 

Appendix 1 was the response from Edward Timpson, former Minister of State for Vulnerable Children and Families.  The letter thanked Councillor Hartnett for his letter with regard to Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education.

 

The department has funded the PSHE Association to provide mental health guidance and lesson plans, which supported age-appropriate teaching about mental illnesses, including promoting emotional wellbeing and healthy coping strategies. There was no reference in the letter about making PSHE compulsory in schools.

 

Councillor Wheeler informed the Committee that the PSHE Bill 2016-17 started its second reading debate in January 2017, but this was adjourned with debate to be resumed in May 2017, however Parliament was dissolved for three months with a General Election being called. Therefore the Bill fell and no further action was taken.

 

Following further discussion on how best to engage with all schools in the Borough with regards to PSHE Mental Health Awareness the Committee   

 

RESOLVED that

 

a)    a separate working group meeting be arranged with the original Members of the Mental Health Services for Young People Task Group;

b)   those Task Group Members compile a short questionnaire in respect of school policies for PSHE and Mental Health Awareness;

c)    the agreed questionnaire be sent to all schools in the Borough; and

d)   any responses received to the questionnaire be brought back to a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

22.

Executive Committee Minutes and Scrutiny of the Executive Committee's Work Programme - Selecting Items for Scrutiny pdf icon PDF 295 KB

(The next edition of the Executive Committee Leader’s Work Programme will be published on 3rd July.  Copies of this work programme will be made available for the consideration of the Committee after this date).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Officer informed the Committee that there were no recommendations for the Committee to note in the Executive Minutes from the meeting held on 6th June 2017. 

 

The Executive Committee Leader’s Work Programme was considered by the Committee. 

 

RESOLVED that

 

a)    the Executive Committee Minutes of 6th June 2017 be noted; and

b)   the items on the Executive Committee Leader’s Work Programme, as agreed during the course of the meeting, be included on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme.

 

23.

Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme pdf icon PDF 181 KB

Minutes:

That the items from the Executive Work Programme, as agreed by the Committee, be added to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme, namely:-

 

·         Commercialisation and Financial Strategy to be reviewed by the Budget Scrutiny Working Group.

·         Service Delivery Options – HRA Gas Maintenance presentation from officers at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 7th September 2017.

·         Seasonal Garden Waste Collections presentation from the Head of Environment at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 7th September 2017.

·         Local Discretionary Relief Scheme to be reviewed by the Budget Scrutiny Working Group.

·         Fees and Charges to be reviewed by the Budget Scrutiny Working Group with suggestions on any areas that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should focus on.

·         Matchborough and Winyates District Centre Redevelopment Consultation presentation at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 24th October 2017.

 

RESOLVED that

 

the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme be updated to include the items as detailed in the preamble above.

 

24.

Working Groups - Update Reports (Councillors Potter and Baker-Price)

 

a)    Budget Scrutiny Working Group

b)    Performance Scrutiny working Group

Minutes:

Budget Scrutiny Working Group – Chair: Councillor Jane Potter

 

Councillor Potter reported that the group had met with officers on 26th June 2017 to discuss what land was available in the town to build houses on and the sale of council houses.  The Council needed to respond to the changes faced by growing its housing stock.  Members had been made aware that any unused Right To Buy (RTB) retained receipts would have to be returned to central government.

 

Members were further informed that the Redditch Borough Council Efficiency Plan 2016/2017-2019/2020 had also been looked at.

 

Performance Scrutiny Working Group – Chair: Councillor Tom Baker-Price

 

Councillor Baker-Price reported that the group had met on 21st June 2017 whereby the following items were identified for scrutiny:-

 

·         Transition of Care Leavers into Housing.

·         Abandoned Shopping Trollies.

25.

Task Groups - Progress Reports (Councillors Wood-Ford and Potter)

 

a)        Homelessness; and

 

b)        Staff Survey Joint Scrutiny.

 

Minutes:

a)    Homelessness Short, Sharp Review

 

The Committee were provided with an update (as detailed at Appendix 3) following the latest meeting of the Homelessness Short Sharp Review Group held on Tuesday 4th July 2017; whereby Members were asked to consider Redditch Borough Council’s draft Housing Allocations Policy.  The draft policy had been subject to public consultation from 23rd June to 19th July 2017.  A number of residents who had responded had given positive feedback on the proposed changes.

 

In the absence of Councillor Nina Wood-Ford, Councillor Natalie Brookes informed the Committee that the group had met, on three separate occasions, with the Council’s Strategic Housing Manager, Private Sector Housing.  Members were informed that there were different types of homeless people; which included sofa surfers, those staying in temporary accommodation and hostel accommodation and people living in overcrowded conditions. 

 

Further discussion followed with Members commenting that there were other key factors which contributed to homelessness, which included:-

 

·         The rising cost of privately rented accommodation.

·         The short supply of social housing.

·         Benefit changes – Universal Credit, whereby claimants had to wait 8 weeks or longer before benefits were paid.  This could be detrimental to anyone experiencing financial difficulties or vulnerable claimants.

·         Young people leaving care were not always fully prepared for independent living.

 

Councillor Natalie Brookes further informed the Committee that Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) would also be looked into.

 

Members had been surprised to see how hard the Council was working with people and that a lot of ‘face to face’ work was being carried out.  The Council was helping those who were in desperate need of help.  The group was also aware that some people did not want to be housed. 

 

RECOMMENDED that

 

the draft Redditch Borough Council Housing Allocations Policy be adopted by the Council.

 

a)    Staff Survey Joint Scrutiny – Vice-Chair: Councillor Jane Potter

 

Councillor Potter informed the Committee that the Joint Scrutiny Task Group had agreed the draft Task Group report.  She had found it a useful exercise and had enjoyed working jointly with elected Members from Bromsgrove District Council.

26.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Wood-Ford)

Minutes:

In the absence of Councillor Nina Wood-Ford, the Democratic Services Officer informed the Committee that the next meeting of the HOSC (Worcestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee) was scheduled for 19th July 2017.

STP Refresh Redditch OSC Minutes Appendix 1 v2 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Additional documents: