Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

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Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Collop, Devulapalli and Sandell.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

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RESOLVED: The Minutes from the meeting held on the 9^th April 2024 and 4^th June 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the meeting.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair 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 Chair of their intention to do so and what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.  

There was none.

If any.

There was none.

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The Housing Services Manager introduced the Strategy to the Panel and advised that all Local Authorities were required by law to produce a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy every five years.

The Senior Housing Manager gave a presentation to the Panel on the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, a copy is attached.

The Senior Housing Manager advised the timeline of the strategy which included a review which was conducted in the autumn and winter of 2023/24 and published in April 2024. He added as part of the timeline, the draft strategy was completed in July 2024 and therefore was on track. The Senior Housing Manager explained to the Panel sessions had been held to encourage input from Council employees, Local Partners, Public Survey and people with lived experience of homelessness, with a total of 118 individuals contributing.

The Senior Housing Manager highlighted to the Panel the Key Strategy Aims were prevention, intervention, accommodation, recovery, and system support/service culture. He highlighted the values and behaviours included in the strategy which were dignity, transparency, flexibility, collaboration, and empowerment.

The Chair, Councillor Bullen thanked the Senior Housing Manager for the presentation and the detail of the Strategy produced along with all the work involved.

Portfolio Holder, Councillor Rust thanked all the Housing Team for their hard work and by ending homelessness person by person and putting them at the heart of the strategy.

Councillor Kemp commented that the report was ambitious and included detail in depth.  Councillor Kemp asked if the Strategy included more help for people renting in the private sector along with if there were any plans for help with mortgages and if the Borough Council would be a guarantor for rent. She further asked if the Strategy included improved access to mainstream health services.

The Senior Housing Manager responded to Councillor Kemp’s questions. He advised the Strategy focused on improved partnerships with the private sector. He commented guaranteed rents could be considered with an effective scheme. The Senior Housing Manager stated regarding mortgages, this was not a trend currently but if this became a further issue then it would be investigated further. He commented further regarding the working relationships with the private sector which included Citizen Advice Bureau and Inclusion Health.

Portfolio Holder, Councillor Rust added Shelters and Citizen Advice Bureau were already existing services which helped with managing tight budgets and the Borough Council provided the ‘Beat the Bills’ scheme.

Councillor Kunes asked if the Council provide accommodation for customers where the properties do not have restrictions, for example pets or smoking allowed.

The Senior Housing Manager clarified Housing First provided a service for people who were unable to progress in a hostel environment or settings where there were extensive restrictions. He added Housing First worked with support accommodation providers to provide accommodation to ensure there was no negative impact.

Councillor Kemp sought clarification if Care Leavers had been identified in the Strategy.

The Housing Services Manager provided  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC19:

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The Corporate Governance Manager/ Assistant to the Chief Executive presented the report on Alive West Norfolk Arrangements.

The Corporate Governance Manager/ Assistant to the Chief Executive outlined the aspirations of Alive West Norfolk and that the post five year start up remained challenging. The report concluded that Alive West Norfolk required subsidy from the Borough Council. She highlighted the need and requirement to invest in improvement of facilities in Lynnsport, St James pool or Oasis pool however there was no capital.

She outlined the recommendations to Cabinet in the report and explained the governance and operations of Alive West Norfolk were recommended to be returned to in-house management with the management and structure to be determined following the appointment of the new Chief Executive. She confirmed to the Panel the options which had been considered as part of the review.

The Corporate Governance Manager/ Assistant to the Chief Executive explained the complexity to administer Alive West Norfolk and the static levels of activity and visit levels. She explained the key elements to the Panel such as all of the Alive West Norfolk Staff being on the Borough Council terms and conditions already therefore further costs would not be incurred.

The Chair thanked the Corporate Governance Manager/ Assistant to the Chief Executive for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel.

Councillor Kemp endorsed the recommendations and agreed Alive West Norfolk would be more profitable in-house. She asked what consultation would be taken and what action would be taken to include and encourage people without surplus income.

The Interim Assistant Director Leisure, Arts and Lynnsport clarified consultation had been taken with users and non-users and encouraging young people to exercise. He confirmed he was still awaiting the results from the survey. He added in regard to value for money there has been continuous financial pressures in recent years and this had led to price rises for the customer at the same time as the quality of the facilities had gone down. This resulted in perceptions of reduced value for money amongst users. If facilities were improved this would increase income and give the council more flexibility on pricing policies.

Councillor Heneghan confirmed that due to the number of gyms in the area, she looked forward to seeing the result of the survey and hoped work was done to prioritise what it was that users wanted. She endorsed Alive West Norfolk to come back in-house. 

Portfolio Holder, Councillor Ring commented that the detail of the report demonstrated the need for Alive West Norfolk to be brought back in-house. He highlighted to the Panel these facilities do not go well in a business together. He highlighted in the next four to five years what the Council could deliver and return in profit. He made further comment that the Council was fortunate to own these facilities and added that the Council could provide an efficient service with bringing Alive West Norfolk  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC20:

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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.

Councillor Kunes asked for the CO2 Audit to be added and enquired further about the Climate Change Informal Working Group.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 3^rd September 2024 at 4:30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel would be held on

3rd September 2024  at 4:30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.