Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Murray and Pearson. Councillor Scroggie attended as a substitute.

RESOLVED:

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

Councillor Rachael Ellis declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 6, as a member on the board of directors.

RESOLVED:

To note this interest.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

Members welcomed Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Young People and Equalities to the meeting to examine her portfolio. Councillor Viv McCrossen gave a presentation, providing an update to members on some key happenings in her portfolio, giving them the opportunity to ask any questions after.

No questions or areas of concerns had been submitted in advance of the meeting so Councillor McCrossen delivered an update on various areas of responsibility within her portfolio. She gave the following updates:

·       Gedling Borough Council had coordinated the annual programme of activities in the community/leisure centres as well as funding and supporting other community led events such as the Platinum Jubilee, female skate jam, holiday activities and food programmes.

·       The holiday activities and food programmes (HAF) was aimed at children aged 5 – 16 years with a goal to provide access to food as well as activities during school holidays, including free activities for children who receive benefits-related free school meals. She noted the HAF is now the responsibility of Nottinghamshire County Council.

·       Gedling Borough Council had received £25,000 from the Nottinghamshire County Council Food Fund. These funds were used to help address loneliness and isolation with 18 small grants being awarded to various community projects, enabling social eating opportunities. It was noted that 27 warm spaces were created where people could come together, socialise, stay warm and in some cases have hot refreshments during the winter months.

The Chair gave Members the opportunity to ask questions of Councillor McCrossen’s portfolio.

Members queried whether disability awareness training would be held for members as well as staff.

It was noted that equalities awareness training would be of benefit for Councillors and confirmed that the Democratic Services Manager would review which courses Members will participate in for the next electoral year.

Members asked how the £138,000 HAF allocation compared to previous years and whether it was enough to meet demand.

The Head of Communities & Leisure explained that £138,000 was the allocation that Gedling Borough Council helped to process throughout that time period. He explained that it could be a challenge to find providers but the scheme had improved their local relations.

Members welcomed Councillor Ron McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Environment to the meeting to examine his portfolio. Councillor Ron McCrossen gave a presentation, providing an update to members on some key happenings in his portfolio, giving them the opportunity to ask any questions after.

He gave the following updates:

·       A new pilot initiative was established in Netherfield and Killisick to reduce contaminated bins. New bin tags would be placed on bins if contamination occurs to alert residents and encourage them to scan the QR code, providing information on which items can or can’t be recycled.

·       Green Flag equality standards have continued to be used and improved to enhance the Borough’s paths and play areas. It was noted that there are now five Green Flag parks in the Borough

·       Over 1,200 trees were planted as part of the Queens Jubilee Tree Canopy Planting Initiative at Gedling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

The Chair welcomed Ivan Wright, Assistant Director for Neighbourhoods at Jigsaw Homes to the committee as part of the Council’s partnership review programme.

A presentation was held, providing an overview on the key areas of their work. Highlights of the presentation were as follows:

·         Jigsaw manage 35,482 homes across the group with 3209 held within the Borough. They also have a new build programme intending to deliver 4,000 homes over a five year period.

·         Jigsaw Homes’ customer contact team are triaged with the aim of dealing with customers at the first point of contact. If this cannot be achieved, they are passed on to specialist teams who contact the customer within two days unless it is an emergency.

·         Jigsaw Homes offer a choice based lettings scheme via Gedling Home search. To date, they have let 259 properties this year and let 330 last year.

·         Jigsaw’s neighbourhood engagement team offer various services and plan events to help their residents with employment and skills, food poverty, energy advice, social isolation and environmental work.

The Chair then asked members if they had any further questions for the Jigsaw Homes.

Members noted that Jigsaw holds roughly 9% of their current stock within the borough and asked whether Jigsaw Homes expects this to increase by the end of 2024.

Ivan confirmed he did not have the information readily available, informing members that he would make enquires after the meeting and forward the information to members.

RESOLVED:

The Chair thanked Ivan Wright for the presentation and information provided.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

Members welcomed Anne Crosbie of Gedling Play Forum to the committee, as part of the Council’s partnership review programme.

A presentation was held, informing members of the various events and activities they have undertaken to date.

It was noted that the events held by the play forum served numerous purposes such as:

·         Investing in children’s play

·         Making and sharing memories

·         Development and healing

·         Building and strengthening communities

·         Promoting well-being

·         Diverting or upcycling waste

·         Investing in projects for future development

RESOLVED:

The Chair thanked Anne Crosby for the presentation and information provided.

Report of the Head of HR, Performance and Service Planning

The Chief Executive introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members in summary of the position against improvement actions and performance indicators in the 2020-23 Gedling Plan at the end of 2022/23 quarter 1.

RESOLVED:

To note the information.

Report of The Head of Finance and ICT

The Chief Executive introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, updating members on the current level of assurance that can be provided against each corporate risk.

RESOLVED to:

Note the progress of actions identified within the Corporate Risk Register.

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, updating members on the scrutiny work programme.

RESOLVED:

To note the information.

None.