Agenda and minutes

The Executive Director and Monitoring Officer confirmed that the meeting was being broadcast live to the internet via the Council’s website and was capable of repeated viewing. The images and sound recording may be used for training purposes within the Council. All were asked to keep to the speaking guidelines which were outlined.  Any views expressed by any speaker in the meeting are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of High Peak Borough Council.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Quinn be appointed as Chair and Councillor Sizeland be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2022 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered a report which sought to review the number of properties designated for the over 55s, with a view to increasing the volume of general needs accommodation available for single/couple households whilst still protecting the income stream for the Carelink Service.  The report also outlined the wider services available to support older people in our Communities.

Regarding voids, members were advised that demand was high but turnover low.  A temporary accommodation unit has been development within Hartington Gardens, which members were invited to view, which would enable short term ‘try before you buy’ stays and provides a further temporary accommodation unit for homeless presentations in this vulnerable client group.  Regarding the Carelink Service, it was noted that any surplus generated by the service was ringfenced to the HRA budget. Members were invited to forward service specific queries around carelink to the Head of Housing Service direct. 

Regarding the wider services available to support older people as set out within the report, further information was sought around dementia services in the Buxton area, which would be circulated.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and the Executive be recommended to approve that the following proposed changes are implemented:

·        The redesignation of suitable identified properties for those under 55

·        The rebranding of the sheltered stock as “Retirement Living”

·        The ‘Try Before you Buy’ Initiative be piloted within the sheltered stock; and

·        That the Carelink Charing policy (appendi A to the report) be formally agreed.

The Committee considered an updated Corporate Enforcement policy which set out the Council’s general approach to enforcement and presented a revised policy on enforcing environmental crimes.

Within the policies, the view was expressed that the wording could be stronger to better emphasise the serious nature and potential impact of environmental crime. It was also requested that additional information be included around the types of environmental crime covered and the sentencing guidelines. Reference was made to fly tipping and dog fouling, and it was suggested that additional text be included in the policies to link to the dog control orders.  It was also requested that the text around young people on page 36 be re-worded.  It was noted that the policies together aimed to ensure that the council has the flexibility and discretion to treat the more serious cases in the most serious way.

It was requested that the revised policies be circulated to members of the committee.

RESOLVED:

1.     That, subject to the suggested amendments, the Executive be recommended to approve the revised Corporate Enforcement policy at Appendix A;

2.     That, subject to the suggested amendments, the Executive be recommended to approve the revised policy on Enforcement of Environmental Crimes at Appendix B.

The following amendments were made to the work programme:

•           July meeting – remove Leisure Centres Improvement Plan

•           July meeting – remove Climate Change Action Plan – (this will go to the CCWG and straight to Exec)

•           July meeting – add Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan

•           September meeting – add Voluntary Sector Post-Covid/cost-of-living update               (HPCVS, NMVC, Connex and The Bureau)

Other:

•           Add Renters Reform Bill to either November 22 or Jan 23 (Helen Core)

•           Update from Health Bodies around ICS (date to be determined)

•           Update on Private Sector Housing (Mike Towers) (date to be determined later in the year)

RESOLVED:

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