Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Murray.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Rachael Ellis declared a personal interest in item 4 as the spouse of Portfolio Holder.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

Members welcomed Councillor David Ellis to the meeting to conduct the annual review of the Community Safety Partnership and to examine the Public Protection Portfolio.

Councillor Ellis delivered a presentation covering the following in response to questions identified by members at the last meeting:

·         All reported crime over the last year had decreased during the covid-19 pandemic although online crime did increase. Anti-Social Behaviour incidents did increase dramatically as a result of complaints made in relation to covid-19 restrictions, although more generally ASB reports increased as more residents were spending longer at home. After the pandemic, crime is still at a lower than expected level. There remained a difference between self-reported and police recorded crime. It was clear from crime statistics that attempts to commit cyber/online crime were very high.

·         So far in 2021, as the county has emerged from the pandemic, crime levels are starting to rise when compared to 2020 but overall crime was down when compared with 2019.

·         Reported crime figures for the South Nottinghamshire Area were similar in terms of trends in different parts of the County.

·         Drugs Offences, Residential Burglary and Anti-Social behaviour were the three police priorities for the most recent quarter and various actions to address these were discussed.

·         In terms of CCTV provision, it was explained that a balance between protecting the public and people’s right to freedom is difficult to strike. Investment in camera equipment has taken place and additional cameras installed at “hot spots” with particular success in car parks.

·         The Safer Nottinghamshire Community Safety Partnership continued to meet virtually throughout the lockdown and despite a reduction in grant finding, the Nottinghamshire Group remained engaged.

·         Information was given about the Council’s work on improving housing conditions. This was partly done through the Better Care Fund which included Disabled Facilities Grants, Warm Homes on Prescription and supported living grants. Energy Companies were also obliged to offer funding which included the Green Homes Hub scheme to retrofit homes with insulation.

·         The work of the Food Hygiene and Safety Team was highlighted with the majority of Gedling food businesses being judged as “very good.” It was pointed out that it was not mandatory for food business to display their food hygiene ratings. The Food Hygiene and Safety Team had been assisting businesses to comply with Natasha’s Law which now required clearer allergy information.

·         In terms of Safeguarding, another area members had been keen to explore, the link between anti-social behaviour and safeguarding was discussed. The issue of what training could be tailored for Members was also considered. Elected Members were always encouraged to share concerns on safeguarding and a discussion on potential training took place. Members expressed the view that training for elected members should be arranged as it would be useful.

It was noted that Members would discuss potential topics/areas of concern in the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio after they had received Quarter 2 performance information.

RESOLVED to

1)    Thank Councillor Ellis for his attendance and the information provided; and

2)    Recommend  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Report of the Senior Leadership Team.

Following a presentation form the Democratic Services Manager summarising performance information as at the end of Quarter 2, Members discussed the following:

·         There was concern at the number of dog fouling penalties being issued as this seemed to have fallen. Was this a case of people not being caught or was the problem now less prevalent? It was asked whether the Council uses a process to take DNA samples of dog excrement to match it back to the offending animal.

·         It was pleasing to hear that action was being taken on the issue of temporary accommodation.

RESOLVED:

To note the information and that a report back on the issue of dog fouling would be taken to the next meeting.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Consideration was given to a report of the Democratic Services Manager, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, summarising the most recent position with regards to the Committee’s work programme and the following was covered:

·         Members noted that the Waste Policy would be taken forward to Cabinet once a new Corporate Director had been appointed.

·         In relation to the future work programme, the issue of sewerage discharge into the Borough’s water was discussed. A similar concern had been raised at the last Cabinet meeting and an information report on how this affects Gedling would be considered at a future meeting. Once this had been shared with Cabinet, members of Overview and Scrutiny would be given the opportunity to review this with a view to possibly including this as a potential area for scrutiny.

·         In terms of the idea discussed at the last meeting for a working group to be established on health provision, a discussion was held on how best to take this forward. Several members commented that it would be of benefit to members to have dialogue with their local GP practices in an attempt to help dispel the public perception that GPs are not seeing patients face to face. The reality of the situation was that doctors would see patients face to face if needed after being triaged through a phone call.

·         At the next committee meeting Councillor Wheeler, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, would be in attendance. Members asked whether Cllr Wheeler could use his position as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board to find further information and it was agreed to suggest this as an area for discussion at the next meeting. Information such as what is the present state of GP numbers in the borough wold be a useful starting point. Additionally the issue of how developer contributions from new housing developments feeds through into investment in GP provision was discussed.

·         A further area of interest in Councillor Wheler’s Portfolio was to request more detailed information about temporary accommodation and how steps are being taken to reduce the Council’s use of it.

·         A final area of interest identified within the Portfolio was the idea of how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of residents and in particular how the idea of social prescribing may assist.

·         A number of Members expressed the view that the Committee should focus its attention more towards the council’s operations. With this in mind, the Committee requested a report on the recently held Gedling Satisfaction Survey to a future meeting. Members were also keen to explore the wellbeing of the Council’s workforce so a report on the most recent staff survey was requested.

·         Finally, it was requested that the emerging procurement strategy be examined at a future meeting. It was also noted that a review of the Carbon Reduction Strategy could not happen until at least the middle of next year in order to give the Climate Change Officer sufficient time to make an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

None.