Agenda item

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Councillor Brown joined the meeting.

Members welcomed Councillor David Ellis, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection to the meeting to examine his portfolio. Councillor Ellis gave an update to members on some key happenings within his portfolio.

No questions were received from Members in advance of the meeting, so Councillor Ellis delivered an update on the various areas of responsibility within his portfolio. He gave the following updates:

It was noted that there were 23,000 fewer police officers and staff nationally than there were in 2010 with the number of police community support officers (PCSOs) having dropped by more than half. Members noted that the number of police officers had increased by 20,000 between 2019 and 2022.

Members noted the three Local policing priorities in Gedling:

·       Operation Silverbirch - tackling Anti-Social Behaviour and knife crime in Arnold

·       Operation Spearshaft - tackling Drug supply and Child Criminal Exploitation in Calverton

·       Operation Battlescar - tackling Serious Acquisitive Crime in Daybrook.

It was noted that the Police and Crime Commissioner was looking for views on the upcoming Police and Crime Plan, which aimed to improve outcomes for minority communities, young people and improve police responses and investigations. The consultation runs until 2 September 2024 and Members were asked to respond.

Members noted that there were 689 food businesses within the borough and 96% were either 4 or 5 stars (good or very good). Roughly 4% were generally satisfactory at 3 stars and members noted that there were no properties within the borough with less than 3 stars.

Members were informed of the variety of health and safety investigations which had taken place across various licensed practices and businesses within the borough such as beauty salons, animal welfare centres and funeral director visits. Proactive initiatives had also taken place such as coffee machine or gas safety checks in catering kitchens and cellar door inspections within pubs.

Members noted the work of the Private Housing team which includes:

·       Selective Licensing – ensuring landlords kept their properties to a fit and proper standard for residents.

·       Disabled Facilities Grants – ensuring residents with reduced mobility and other health concerns could access funding to refit properties with safety rails, washrooms and other provisions.

·       Damp and mould action plan – developing and publishing an enforcement policy, mitigating the harmful effects of damp and mould.

·       Retrofitting homes – Improving energy efficiency across the borough with the goal of meeting net zero ambitions and driving down fuel bills.

The Chair then gave Members the opportunity to ask questions of the portfolio holder.

Members noted that many sole traders advertised availability for various beauty treatments on social media platforms and queried whether the council proactively sought them out or whether the council relied on local reporting to conduct health and safety checks.

The Food Health and Housing Manager confirmed that the council had relied on local reporting and complaints as well as other businesses bringing them to the council’s attention.

Members queried what could be done with landlords passing on the cost of selective licensing to their tenants.

Councillor Ellis explained that although the council had limited control over landlords passing on the costs, it had been noted that the selective licensing scheme had been effective in reducing the number of properties in disrepair and would be extended.

RESOLVED:

To thank Councillor Ellis for the information provided.