Agenda and minutes

The Committee considered the Alliance-wide Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan, which had been produced following a review of the national and local context, the implications of Welfare Reforms and Homeless Reduction Act 2017, local markets and the prevention toolkit.  It was noted that the timing of the strategy was particularly relevant with the recent enactment of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

The initiatives around improvements to the private rented sector were welcomed, together with the review of the rent deposit bond schemes and prevention schemes.  It was noted that work was also on-going around the impact of welfare reforms, particularly universal credit, the effects of which were still emerging. Tent provision within the High Peak was not supported, and it was noted that work was on-going with the provider to consider good practice and develop a suitable protocol.

Reference was made to local connection, and members were advised that under the new Homelessness Reduction Act, there is a greater emphasis on prevention activity and new legal duties to provide meaningful help to secure accommodation to everyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness regardless of priority need. It is predicted that homelessness applications may increase, although it was noted that after the prevention duty expires (56 days) persons can be referred back to their own local authority.  The allocations policy was also being renewed, which would link into this strategy.

In response to a query, it was confirmed that priority need for the armed forces had been legislated for.

Members of the Committee thanked the Housing Strategy Officer for a comprehensive report.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommend to approve the Alliance wide Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan as set out at Appendix A to the report.

 The Committee considered the Council’s Corporate Equality Objectives and the Corporate Equality Policy, which had been revised to address the findings in legal cases which have considered the duties of public authorities under the Equality Act 2010.  It was noted that a progress report on the current Equality Objectives would be published at the end of the year.

In response to a query regarding training, members were advised that a number of training sessions had been held for staff, and an e learning module had been included in the induction sessions which could be extended to councillors.  Further information around achievements and how the council implements its equality policies would be included in the Equality Objectives report. 

It was also requested that a report be submitted to a further meeting around the update consultation forward plan, as set out in appendix A.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Executive be requested to recommended that Council approve and adopt the revised Corporate Equality Policy;

2.    That a report setting out the updated consultation forward plan be submitted to a future Select Committee meeting.

A report around the impact of the closure of Buxton Court would now be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

As requested by Community Select Committee, a representative from Derbyshire County Council would be attending the meeting on 20 June present the consultation on the Public Library Service Strategy.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the above amendments, the Select Committee Work Programmes be noted.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 23 April 2018 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered the process for the transfer of some Council functions to Alliance Environmental Services, and made recommendations to the Executive.

The Committee considered new arrangements for the Council’s facilities management arrangements and made recommendations to the Executive.

The Committee considered the disposal of two strips of land at Dollywood Close, Buxworth and made recommendations to the Executive.

The Committee considered a report which sought authority to award a contract for the works to carry out electrical testing and remediation works to HRA properties during 2018/19 and made recommendations to the Executive.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

With reference to minute 18/44, Community Right to Bid – Nomination of a Community Asset (The Serpentine Plant Nursery) and in response to a query, the Executive Councillor advised that the covenant on the land would be dealt with as part of the planning application.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2018 be approved as a correct record.