Agenda and minutes

Councillor Gledhill was substitute member for Councillor Taylor.

DECIDED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 October 2022 be approved.

Councillor Gledhill raised an urgent item of business in relation to the speed at which the Fuel Bank vouchers would be issued to people at most need. The Panel was assured that arrangements were being implemented with the Fuel Bank Foundation and a meeting was planned to be held shortly to plan the roll out of the scheme. The Council also supported other voluntary organisations and the Cost of Living Steering Group would meet on 22 November 2022.

·         Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

·         Other Interests

No interests were declared.

DECIDED:

The report of the Chairman of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel was noted.

(At least two clear days notice required, in writing, to the Proper Officer in accordance with Procedure Rule 15).

There were none.

Any additional items to be added to the Work Programme:

·         Chair’s Items

·         Members’ Items

DECIDED:

That the Work Programme for 2022-2023 be agreed.

The Panel received a presentation which covered the following topics:

·       Background of the Trussell Trust

·       How the Food Banks operate

·       Local Food Banks

·       Total number of food parcels distributed in the area

·       The cause of Food Bank demand and at risk groups

·       Client Age Groups

·       Cost of living impact nationally and in the Moorlands

·       Case studies

·       The future

During the debate reference was made to the number of children that used the service and use of the word franchised and its meaning in terms of the support received by local food banks.

Members were advised that dedicated CAB advisors now offered advice from the food banks in Leek and Cheadle. A similar service was available at Biddulph through a different provider.

Some members of the Panel were of the opinion that the Council should take urgent action to support residents and businesses with a dedicated welfare officer, use of the covid recovery fund and ensure the Fuel Bank scheme was implemented as a matter of urgency. The Leader requested for Councillor Gledhill to detail his request in an email to him for consideration.

The officers were thanked for the detailed presentation and the work carried out by the Trussell Trust and volunteers at the food banks.

DECIDED:

That the presentation be received.

The Executive Manager provided members with an overview of Moorlands  Home Link and details on how the charity was funded and staffed. Services for older people and their families included; minibus transport to the Day Centre in Cheadle, meals on wheels, befriending and phone link service and support to navigate a complex care system. The organisation played a key role in promoting independence to allow people to stay in their own home and there were plans to provide more support to carers.

Councillors were asked to act as advocates for the organisation and to signpost people to their services. A leaflet was distributed to all members present which contained contact details etc.

Discussion took place around the use of social media to promote the service the geographical spread of the area being an issue,  financial implications and the covid recovery fund.

Members appreciated the work carried out by the staff and volunteers and thought that the services provided by the organisation were good value.

DECIDED: That the update be received.

Representatives from the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust gave a presentation on The Plan for Nature which detailed:

·       The reason a Plan for Nature is needed

·       Species under threat

·       Wild places under threat

·       Nature in the Staffordshire Moorlands

·       Legislative and policy background

·       Data gathering, targets for habitat restoration and creation

·       Management recommendations which align with Nature Recovery Mapping

·       Action Plan

The officers were thanked for the informative presentation and the following comments were made:

-       Concern regarding polluted rivers and the impact farming and visitors could have on watercourses.

-       If given the opportunity wildlife would recover

-       Funding to improve practices may not be received due to the current cost of living taking priority at a national level

-       A reduced number of curlews seen in the area

-       Involvement of landowners to encourage biodiversity

-       For the presentation to be circulated to the Panel

-       Further advice on specific pieces of land would be provided after the meeting

-       Positive impact of reed beds and good farming practices

-       Timescales to carry out work

-       Drainage systems off housing estates negatively impacted water quality

DECIDED:

The presentation be received.

Members gave consideration to a report on defibrillators introduced by Councillor Swindlehurst.

The Community Overview & Scrutiny Panel agreed to review the current provision of Automated External Defibrillators across the District and to consider what, if any, support could be provided by the District Council. The report provided some background information to allow the Panel to decide on appropriate next steps.

DECIDED:

That a time-limited Defibrillator Working Group be established.

The Chair to Move:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

The Chair moved:-

 “That pursuant to Section 100A (2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated.”

DECIDED: That the exempt minutes from the meeting on 17 October 2022 be approved.