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Items
No. Item

415.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 228 KB

To confirm and sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 November 2022 (Appendix ‘A’).

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 

A Member raised a query with regard to an update on appointing a Safeguarding Champion which it was implied would be reported to the meeting.  Officers confirmed that the Council’s Constitution did not require one to be appointed.  It was acknowledged that safeguarding was a matter of priority for all Members to promote.  It might be the subject of a future report to Corporate Management Committee.

416.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillor C Mann.

417.

Declarations of Interest

Members are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or other registrable and non-registrable interests in items on the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest.

418.

Parks and Recreational Spaces - Consultancy and Health and Safety works budget pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Minutes:

The Committee’s approval was sought to recommend to Corporate Management Committee that a sum of £215,000 from the ring-fenced budget from 2022/2023, following the cessation of the school transport service, be utilised to commission a third party consultant to evaluate and deliver a comprehensive inspection of the Council’s play areas.  This would enable Officers to address the low to medium (as previously assessed) health and safety concerns regarding existing play equipment and any new risks identified. 

 

The Consultant’s work would support that already undertaken by Officers.  Specifically, they would be asked to:

 

·       conduct thoroughhealth andsafety inspections allplay andrecreation sites

·       Conduct a fullDDA Assessment

·       Carry out aPlay Value Assessment

·       Carry outan estimatedlife expectancyassessment

·       Provide guidance and insight to support decision-making on the potential                 rationalisation of playfacilities

·       Provide guidance and insight to support decision-making on a replacement  scheme, including the provision of indicative costs associated with such ascheme

 

Members noted that the consultant would also be tasked with conducting an enhancedannual health and safety inspection, to help inform decisionmaking on pieces of play equipment, which was a priority to repair/replace due                              to the likelihood ofit deterioratingfurther.

 

The use of a consultant was deemed necessary to support Officers inunderstanding the scope, potential scale and ambition of this project, with part                     of the work being to ensure that spaces were fit for the future and refreshed toreflect currentand anticipatedtrends withinthe targeteddemographic.

 

The request for approval was  aligned with the decision at Full Council regarding the de-continuation ofschool buses, where it was agreed that the budget should be ring fenced tofocus on development and maintenance activity in relation to provision forchildren and young people, one of the key priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy as discussed at the Health and Wellbeing Member Working Party, to whom updates would be presented. 

 

Members agreed that the use of the current 2022/2023budget to undertake some immediate maintenance works to play facilities, as              well as provide a direction and plan delivery of play facilities was an appropriateuse of thisfunding.

 

Officers proposed that the sum of £215,000 be split £20,000 for the consultancy work and £195,000 for any resulting remedial health and safety works.

 

Officers anticipated that 2022/2023 provision of £215,000 set aside for thedevelopment of leisure and recreation opportunities for children and youngpeople across the borough, would be fully utilised by this request.However, given the need to procure contractors toundertake the necessary works resulting from the consultant’s report, it was unlikely that the full £215,000 would be spent in the current year.  Therefore, it was proposed to request that any unspent sums at the end of the year becarried forwardto allow the worksto be completed inthe nextfinancial year.

 

Members were advised that work would begin to appoint a consultant at the earliestopportunity and Officers would engage with colleagues within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 418.

419.

Step Down Scheme Update pdf icon PDF 92 KB

Minutes:

The Committee received an informative update on the Council’s successful Step Down Scheme, funded by the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP).  A report was also being presented to the Housing Committee later in January 2023, with a view to seeking its approval to extend the operation of the scheme from April 2023, to be reviewed in 2026.

 

Members noted that the scheme was operated jointly with Spelthorne, Woking and Elmbridge with 7 properties across the boroughs.  The scheme was managed by a co-ordinator based at Spelthorne, who worked with partners across health and social care to ensure care packages for the individuals leaving hospital were in place prior to discharge.

 

The scheme ran in accordance with the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy (section 9.6 concerning Exceptions to advertising properties).  Members also noted the Equality implications in the report, and that there were positive outcomes for the elderly which outweighed the removal of the two units from use as IRL units.

 

Members were very pleased with the scheme and its effectiveness in assisting people leaving hospital back to living at home independently while their existing property was adapted or pending a housing need solution being put in place.  People were accommodated for a period of up to 6 weeks using two of the Independent Retirement Living (IRL) units at Floral House in Chertsey, the largest of the Council’s IRL schemes.

 

A multi-agency approach ensured that so far no-one had needed to stay beyond the agreed 6 weeks.  Careful assessment prior to referral was an important part of the process.  In addition, there was potential for expansion should the need arise.  However, Officers had found that having 7 units was a good balance.  Officers confirmed that the scheme was not means tested; this was welcomed.

 

Officers confirmed that using the two units at Floral House which were located in the outer blocks, and therefore less in demand, had not adversely affected residents or unduly lengthened the waiting list; there being no applicants with a priority band waiting for a unit in Chertsey.  This would however be monitored and reviewed if necessary.

 

Officers were thanked for their report.

 

 

 

 

420.

Home Improvement Agency - Update pdf icon PDF 114 KB

Minutes:

The Committee received for information an update on the work of the Home Improvement Agency (HIA).

 

Members were advised that the HIA provided a dedicated service to assist any elderly and disabled residents make repairs and adaptations to their homes.  The service had access to the Disabled Facility Grants (DFG) discretionary grants, major and minor grants.  Decision making and grant distribution was in accordance with primary legislation, set out in the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.

 

The Committee was pleased by the service statistics, showing that over 80 cases had been completed between October 2021 and December 2022, approximately 54 were in progress and only 14 cases were yet to be allocated. 

 

Officers confirmed that the team had been enhanced and upskilled to prepare for a re-launch of the HIA in the spring of 2023.  The aim was to be a more holistic service, working closely with other services to improve all aspects of an individual’s life, utilising the grants available but within the specified criteria.  Officers wanted to be in a position to spend all the budget, which hitherto had been underspent, owing to limited resources.  In 2022/2023 the HIA had received the grant sum of £874,000, the remaining balance was £182,000 with an anticipated £570,000 being allocated by the end of the financial year.

 

Officers highlighted the pieces of work for the year, following a review.  These were to review and re-publish, after consultation with stakeholders, the HIA Assistance Policy and guidance to applicants.  This would include a new update on the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC).  Members requested that the Runnymede Access Liaison Group and Runnymede Foodbank be part of the consultation.

 

Future spending plans would be updated to reflect discussions with partners and changes to the Regulatory Reform Order.  Staff would also be reviewing all processes and develop a forward plan.  An important part of this was an accredited staff training programme to increase efficiency and become more self sufficient, without reliance for example on third party Occupational Therapists.  Upgrades to casework software would also assist the team and key performance indicators would be introduced to monitor and instigate service improvements.  These would be reported to the Committee from April 2023.  Feedback from service users would form an integral part of the process.

 

One of the biggest challenges facing the team was the procurement of contractors and their availability.  Members endorsed the commitment to undertake an exercise to widen the pool of contractors over the coming months.

 

The Committee was very supportive of the service and staff delivering it to some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.  The re-launch was welcomed and Members were keen for it to be promoted widely in liaison with partner organisations.  Officers would be meeting in early February to further the re-launch.  Officers agreed to provide Members with guidance on raising awareness of the HIA and as part of the re-branding a clear pathway for the referral process.

 

Officers agreed to discuss a particular case that a Member had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 420.

421.

Safer Streets Funding pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted a detailed update on progress with the pilot of a youth café in Addlestone, using funds from Safer Streets; the result of a successful cross-departmental bid to combat anti-social behaviour, working in partnership with the local Neighbourhood Police team, who were the leading body for the bid.

 

Prior to submitting the bid, site visits had taken place around the Garfield Road Estate with Police colleagues.  It was identified that improvements such as the installation of gates into stairwells, CCTV, additional lighting and the reconfiguration of gardens to remove secluded pathways would all assist.  Officers saw an opportunity to include in this project the Council’s long held ambition to provide a youth café, which was accepted by the Police team.

 

The Committee noted the financial implications of the report.  After clarification from Safer Streets, it was noted that funding of £321,970 was available for two years for the youth café, after which, if it was to continue, alternative funding would be needed as there was currently no revenue provision for it.  In addition, a sum of up to £160,000 already existed in the capital budget for fit out costs for the café.  The total funding bid was £643,940, match funded 50% by the Council from a combination of the capital sum and non financial match funding.

 

Officers advised that having secured time-limited funding they were keen to introduce those physical measures to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and find a suitable location for the pilot café.  Some of the improvements, including the installation of gates will be consulted on with residents.

 

With only two weeks to submit a bid for funding, the ability to develop a delivery model in advance of submission was limited.  However, Officers felt it was appropriate to try and secure the funding to enable the opportunity to be pursued further.

 

The Committee members were made aware of the risk that a suitable location for the café might not be found, but Officers in Assets and Regeneration were working on this as directed by the Chief Executive.  Potentially the former Eileen Tozer Centre was a possibility as a temporary venue but was not ideal due to the double financing of short and longer term venues that would be unaffordable.  Officers advised that in addition to the challenges of identifying a site, the escalation of costs for fit out works as well as potentially more significant works than the capital budget in place, could make the project unviable. 

 

Finding a suitable service delivery model was also a work in progress.  The services of specialist youth workers from a charity organisation based in Leatherhead were being used, as were a more local youth charity, Eikon to explore this further.  Officers advised that the pilot, if it happened, would determine need and viability.  The location and cost was a key consideration.

 

Given the potential risk of the Youth Café model not being possible, Officers were also working with the Police, Police and Crime Commissioners Office and the Home  ...  view the full minutes text for item 421.

422.

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Estimates 2023-2024 pdf icon PDF 92 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee was asked to approve the estimates for Runnymede Pleasure Grounds for 2023/2024.

 

Members considered this report as Trustees of the Pleasure Grounds, a function delegated by the Council to the Community Services Committee.  The budget was held in Community Services to use income generated by car parking fees, rents and leases to maintain and improve the facilities.

 

Officers reported that the funds were still very healthy.  Overall, the Trust was due to make a surplus of £63,000 in 2022/2023, and £95,000 in the coming year, creating Trust reserves of £488,000 by March 2024.  Members noted that investment income was forecast to rise, given the increases in reserve balances and a higher than anticipated bank base rate.

 

The Committee was advised that car parking income was a little less than expected, and there had been increased costs associated with the ANPR car parking system that was introduced in March 2021.  Other pressures included energy prices, inflation, cash collection costs and a higher re-charge from grounds maintenance.

 

Members sought clarification regarding some of the re-charges.  For example transport which it was confirmed were Green Spaces vehicles. 

 

Members accepted that cash did still need to be an option for visitors paying for parking for accessibility.  It was understood that new signage to promote paying by phone would be installed in the coming months.

 

RESOLVED that –

 

The proposed financial projection set out in the Appendix to the report for 2023/2024, be approved.

423.

Community Services Service Area Plan pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee was asked to approve the Community Services Business Unit Service Area Plan for 2023/2024 and to note that any General Fund business cases requiring growth would be subject to approval by Corporate Management Committee or full Council, depending on their value.

 

Officers advised that a corporate approach had been adopted to develop service plans for all of the business units.  These included a mission statement, planned activity, and outline business cases for growth items.  Each Corporate Head had been assigned targets in consultation with their relevant Member Working Party and Service Chair(s) which would be used to set objectives for their teams.

 

Officers provided a summary of the Community Services plan.  In doing so, the breadth of activities was noted, all contributing towards strands of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.  In addition, areas of the plan supported other corporate strategies such as Climate Change and Empowering Communities.

 

Members acknowledged the wide range of services in the plan from prevention services, promotion of independent living, partnerships with the health and social care sector, work with communities, residents of all ages, voluntary, community and faith organisations. 

 

It was noted that Community Services encompassed sport and recreation, the arts, community safety, heritage and culture through Chertsey Museum and strategic work to enhance the Council’s green spaces, land held in Trust, playspace provision and recreational facilities.  Community Services contained 11 service areas and Community Development 8.

 

Officers also highlighted the Council’s membership of the North West Surrey Health Alliance and partnership with Surrey Heath on Prevention Services, and the Council’s lead on Social Prescribing, Homesafe Plus and CCTV.

 

Members reviewed the Service Area Plan for 2023/24.  It contained 19 Strategy Actions, and 6 Service efficiency/improvements.  With a robust structure and resources, Officers planned to deliver a number of new projects and initiatives.  These included:

 

·         Developmentof Safer Runnymede(HWB001)

·         Implementa playspace improvementprogramme(HWB018)

·         Deliver facilities and services across the borough for children and                    youngpeople (HWB020)

·         Investigate appropriate sites for play, sport and recreation  facilities/Kings Lane development(HWB024)

·         Implementation of community hub at Egham Hythe (if viable) (CSCD003)

·         Extensionof Homelinkto tenure neutralservice offer(HWB012)

·         Digitalisationof CommunityAlarm service(HWB003)

Members noted that the following proposed initiatives might require growth as part of their delivery; identifiedas partof thepreliminary work tobe undertaken:

 

·         Reviewof core voluntarysector grant funding(EC008)

·         Creationof LocalInitiatives Fund(EC006)

·         Development/Implementation of Community Safety Strategy  (HWB016)

·         Continuationof FamilySupport project(HWB039)

·         Reviewand futuredelivery ofMeals at Home (HWB040)

 

One Member asked about the Kings Lane Project and it was confirmed that this would be progressed in the near future to include a fresh consultation and public engagement regarding future facilities.  Officers also had the concept of a community hub for Chertsey South in mind as part of the theme of Community Hubs.

 

The Committee agreed it was an ambitious programme and looked forward to receiving updates and detailed business plans for growth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 423.

424.

Exclusion of Press and Public

Minutes:

There were no confidential or exempt items on the agenda.