Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rodwell and Waters-Bunn.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 19 January 2017 were confirmed.

The Committee received a presentation on the Sustainability and Transformation Plan for Norfolk and Waveney by Melanie Craig the Chief Officer of the Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group.

Following the presentation, Members raised issues in respect of the following :-

• The issue of the lack of consultation with Members of the Council on health issues generally.

• The reduction in financial support for the stroke association. 

•  The process sued by the CCG in relation to the recent closure of the Greyfriars clinic 

• The impact on the provision of services by the proposed financial cuts

• The issue of whether the challenging targets proposed in the Plan would be achievable

• The issue of the CCGs relationship with Norfolk County Council 

• The issue of the level of funding with regard to Mental Health support 

• The problems that had been created by merging doctors surgeries in the Communities 

• The perception that elderly people feel a burden and the issue of improving care of elderly people with issues relating to dignity etc.

The Chair thanked the CCG representatives for their presentations with regard to the Sustainability and Transformation Plan for Norfolk and Waveney and commented that it was hoped that in future there would be improved communication between the CCG and the Borough Council and she also expressed her concern with regard to the language being used in relation to care for the elderly as referred to in the plan. Members agreed that all Members of the Committee should be sent copies of the Power Point presentation made by the CCG representatives. 

The Committee received a presentation from the Group Manager (Housing Health and Wellbeing) with regard to :-

• "Healthy Homes Assistance"
• "I'm Going Home"

The Group Manager explained how these initiatives from the Better Care Fund were assisting residents in the Borough. The point was made that any potential funding from the CCG would be welcome in support of these initiatives.

As a result of refreshing the Child Safeguarding Policy and creating new Policies for Adult Safeguarding, Human Trafficking and Domestic Abuse, the Council's Officer Safeguarding Group was asking the Housing and Neighbourhoods Committee to note and approve the Policy and Procedures for publication and implementation. The Committee agreed that training for Members on these Policies should be arranged.

The Group Manager (Neighbourhoods and Communities) reported that the Officer Group is to create a Work Plan for future work to include work around Safeguarding and Procurement / Contractors and around Elected Members. Any work with elected Members will be fitted in with the Organisational Development Planning for Member Development and training.

RESOLVED :

(1) That the Committee agree to the adoption and publication of the four draft Policies (Child Protection updated, Safeguarding Adults Policy, Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Policy, and Domestic Abuse Workplace Policy) subject to Unison (where appropriate) sign off.

(2) To note that the Organisation plans to create "Designated Safeguarding Officers" (DSO's) for both child and adult safeguarding enquires and referrals rather than have separate Child Protection and Adult Safeguarding Officers, and new Officers to be recruited in Service Areas where no Safeguarding Officer is currently in place.

(3) To note that any allegations against a Member of staff or representative will now be made to the Head of HR/OD and the HR Manager (to replace the current Deputy Monitoring Officer / Information Manager arrangement).

(4) To note that a comprehensive training programme and information section for staff is planned for 2017 to raise awareness of safeguarding and to fulfil the Council's legal obligations under safeguarding legislation, and training and awareness will be tailored to each team and their roles across the suite of subjects highlighted in the report.

The Committee considered the Group Manager (Neighbourhoods and Communities) report which gave an update on the proposed Multi Agency response to the issue of car and motorbike enthusiasts causing anti social behaviour along Great Yarmouth Sea Front.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee note the content of the Group Manger's report and the progress of the Multi Agency Group in tackling the issue of vehicle enthusiasts :-

a)  Note that the PSPO has gone live, but awaiting signage before enforcement commences.

b) Note that the Pleasure Beach TRO is being progressed by NCC.

c) Note that work is underway to ensure that adequate numbers of staff are available to enforce the PSPO and that they are trained / supported appropriately.

d) Note the financial implications both for overtime costs and potential income opportunities.

e) Agree to receive a review and update of the first six week enforcement under Op Clarion. This review to include consideration of ongoing commitment to Sunday / weekend enforcement until September 2017.

The Committee considered the Group Manager (Housing Services) report which provided Performance Data from the Housing and Neighbourhoods Directorate for Quarter 3 of 2016/17.

In discussing the report Members discussed the issues with regard to re-letting of voids.

RESOLVED :

That the Quarter 3 Performance Report be received and noted.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods which proposed a plan of action for using the Community Housing fund awarded to the Council in December 2016. Members were reminded that Great Yarmouth Borough Council had received an award from the Community Housing Fund of £652,770 for 2016/17. The funding is specifically intended for Affordable Housing Schemes either delivered by or with a significant involvement of, Local Community Groups on mixed tenure sites which are likely to be of little interest to main stream house builders. The Borough Council will need to demonstrate to the DCLG that the funds are being spent in accordance with the objectives of the programme.

RESOLVED :

(1) That approval be given to procure services to the equivalent of Gold Service support from CLT East at the cost of £35,000, through comparison of providers.

(2) To agree to develop a costed plan for submission by 10th march based on building capacity within identified willing communities to bring forward housing development.

(3) To agree to allocate the majority and maximum amount of funding to a ring-fenced capital pot to enable individual sites to come forward for development, based on a set of criteria to be developed.

The Committee received the Forward Plan for the Housing and Neighbourhoods Committee. Following a request from Councillor Walch, the Committee to agreed on the Forward Plan an item relating to the issue of the costs of evictions of tenants from housing properties and also details of how rent is managed within the housing process. The Committee also agreed to include an item regarding the commissioning process to be considered at the Committee's April meeting.