Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hipperson, Hopkins and Lawrence.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The Minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

Those declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

Councillor Mrs Westrop declared a non-pecuniary interest in EC20: Youth Investment Fund as she was a Trustee of the Swan Project and was involved in the Youth West Partnership.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposed to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was none.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chairman.

Councillor Pope for all Agenda items.

If any.

There was none.

The Senior Policy and Performance Officer presented the report which monitored progress against agreed performance indicators for the full year 2017/2018.  The Panel was informed that thirteen performance indicators were within the remit of the Environment and Community Panel and these were included in the report.  The report showed that five targets had not been met, as set out below, and an action plan was in place to address issues:

-        CE2: % of Long Term empty homes in the Borough as a percentage of overall dwellings.

-        CE7: % of allocated spend of Flexible Homeless Grant.

-        CC6: % of Careline alarms installed within ten days from date of enquiry.

-        CC7: Time taken (in weeks) from first visit to completion of work on Disabled Facilities Grants.

-        CC8: Time taken (in weeks) from first visit to completion of work on Adapt passported cases with a value under £6,000.

The Chairman thanked the Senior Policy and Performance Officer for his report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Pope addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  He asked for clarification on the figures in the table on page 12 of the Agenda which summarised the Council’s current performance levels compared to the previous quarter.  The Senior Policy and Performance Officer explained that through the year the figures could increase and decrease so there would be variation.

In response to a question from Councillor Bubb, it was explained that external factors, which the Council had no control over, and could affect performance, were included in the notes and actions section of the performance monitoring report.

RESOLVED: The Panel reviewed the Performance Monitoring Report and agreed the actions outlined in the Action Report.

Representatives from the Youth Investment Fund will be present at the meeting to provide the Panel with information.

The Chairman welcomed Graeme Stewart and Tracy Ellis to the meeting who presented the Panel with information on the Youth West Partnership, as attached.  Members’ attention was also drawn to the information document which had been circulated with the Agenda.

The Chairman thanked Graeme Stewart and Tracy Ellis for their presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel as summarised below.

Councillor Mrs Bower asked if anything was planned for Hunstanton.  Graeme Stewart explained that the Benjamin Foundation was working in Hunstanton and as the Co-ordinator for the project developed her role she could make contact with Parishes.

Councillor Mrs Fraser asked for more information on how the activities were chosen and asked what plans were in place to ensure that young people were engaged.  Graeme Stewart explained that activities included music, dance, drama and other sessions.  It was explained that Youth Workers would work with the young people and certain activities would be chosen by them.  It was hoped that this would keep young people involved and engaged.  The Panel was informed that the Youth West Partnership would be working with the Discovery Centre and in deprived areas in West Norfolk.  It was explained that Youth West would also promote projects jointly with their partners where possible.

The amount of funding available for the project was highlighted and Graeme Stewart acknowledged that West Norfolk was rural and diverse and it would unfortunately not be possible to help all areas, but the project had tried to spread out into areas where there was already an active interest, but may have been issues in the ability to provide or sustain a service. 

Councillor Mrs Nockolds, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Health commented that this project was very good news for young people in the Borough.  She explained that the Borough Council already had a Service Level Agreements in place with Freebridge Community Housing relating to the Discovery Centre, Active Norfolk and SWAN.  Councillor Mrs Nockolds informed those present that the Council also worked with the Local Cultural Education Partnership and hoped to work with Garage in the near future.  Graeme Stewart explained that Active Norfolk was working with the Youth West Partnership regarding the delivery of some activities at the Discovery Centre.

Councillor Mrs Wilkinson informed those present that Fairstead previously had a youth club at the Community Centre, but this was no longer in operation.  She asked if there were any plans to re-introduce provision in this area.  She also explained that there used to be a mini bus available which could take young people to activities.  Graeme Stewart explained that part of the project would include pop up youth clubs, and Fairstead was an area which could be a possibility.  The pop up youth clubs would identify if there was a demand in an area and if more permanent provision would be sustainable.  Graeme Stewart reminded the Panel of the budget available and explained that it would focus on ‘on the ground’ delivery with the help of  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC20:

The attached briefing note has been prepared by the Housing Services Manager and sets out what information will be provided to the Panel at the meeting.

The Housing Services Manager gave a presentation on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, as attached.  The Chairman thanked the Housing Services Manager for his presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Mrs Spikings referred to information provided that there was not enough housing supply for social housing.  She commented that she was aware of some social housing which had been boarded up, or demolished in Welney and asked why this was happening when there was such a demand for social housing.  The Chairman, Councillor Sampson commented that Welney was an isolated area and people may have issues with transport.  Councillor Mrs Spikings commented that the refurbishment of the housing stock in Welney had fractured the local community.

Councillor Taylor asked for information on how many rough sleepers were local and expressed concern that because King’s Lynn had a good process in place for dealing with and supporting homeless people it may attract people from other areas.  The Housing Services Manager commented that this was a concern for the night shelters and that it could give validity to a certain type of lifestyle.  He explained that the situation would be carefully monitored.

Councillor Mrs Spikings provided information on someone who was sleeping rough near the A47 and agreed to pass on information to the Housing Services Manager.

Councillor Mrs Westrop made reference to the duty to care leavers and she explained that some had complex needs.  She asked if there was any flexibility with regards to local connection for care leavers.  The Housing Services Manager explained that there was legislation relating to this and that some care leavers did not feel disadvantaged if they were placed outside the County.

Councillor Taylor asked the Housing Services Manager if he felt that the Council had the resources available to deal with monitoring, reporting and delivery of services relating to homelessness and rough sleeping.  The Housing Services Manager explained that some new funding had been available from Central Government, as they had recognised this as a priority.  He explained that homelessness grants were also available and the Council also worked with Norfolk County Council on provision for the area.  Funding had been used to commission new services and retarget resource to where it was needed.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge informed those present that she had requested that this update be brought to the Panel following the introduction of the Act.  She reiterated comments made regarding Registered Social Landlords having empty properties and that she was concerned about this.   She also referred to earlier comments made by Councillor Spikings about empty social housing in villages and how it should be made available if there was a demand.

In response to a question from the Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge about if the Council received enough funding, the Housing Services Manager explained that West Norfolk was recognised as a high demand area for private rented homes.  He commented that situations could change quickly which could impact the amount of resources available  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC21:

Members of the Panel were reminded that an eform was available on the Intranet which could be completed and submitted if Members had items which they would like to be considered for addition to the Work Programme.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel is a Special meeting and is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 14^th August 2018 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel was a special meeting of the Panel and would take place on Tuesday 14^th August at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.