Agenda item

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

The Committee welcomed Councillor Wheeler to discuss matters relating to his Health and Wellbeing Portfolio.  David Wakelin, Director of Health and Community Wellbeing, also attended the meeting.

The Gedling Borough Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan was circulated at the meeting.

Councillor Wheeler gave a presentation that answered questions received in advance of the meeting.

He informed Members about the main priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Board and Delivery Plan and outlined the Council’s intended approach to enable a community centred health and wellbeing approach designed to improve community outcomes.  The Health and Wellbeing Board has established the Nottinghamshire Healthy Sustainable Places Working Group which brings together the Public Health function at Notts. County Council and representatives from the seven district councils.  The group is rolling out a Physical Activity Insight and Data Capture model across the county which will provide a data pack of physical activity and health inequality data,  presenting an opportunity for a   ‘deep dive’ of data capture of local need.  Work will commence in Gedling next month and external funding has been attracted to the borough to deliver this model.  The group has established a time limited programme to focus on the local Food Environment.  Work will include exploring the development of a County Food Charter, and mapping of local assets. As part of this programme Notts. County Council Public Health has allocated £10,000 to plan the most suitable work priorities for Gedling. There are a number of priorities including tackling food poverty, diet related ill health and access to affordable healthy food.

The Group also jointly supported a Notts. County Council expression of interest for the county to become a Government funded Childhood Obesity Trailblazer.  A Wellbeing Approach Handbook is also being developed which aims to bring together three existing initiatives, make Every Contact Count, The Declaration of Tobacco Control and Wellbeing@Work workplace health scheme.

It was explained that health inequality relates to the poorer health and wellbeing outcomes that exist in some communities compared to others. This can result in more incidences of hospital admissions, long-term diseases and conditions often resulting in shorter life expectancy. The adoption of the Gedling Health and Wellbeing Plan and continuing to support health and wellbeing programmes in Killisick, Netherfield and Newstead and the Healthy Communities programme in Bestwood Village  are mechanisms to address inequality. The SPRING social prescribing project to support lonely and isolated residents also contributes.

Care Leavers are a priority need.  Gedling Borough accepts under 18 year old care leavers on the Housing Register and grants 100% discount on their Council Tax.  An accommodation offer for children in care means ensuring children are placed and housed in a safe environment.  Accommodation must take into account safeguarding concerns, school SEND needs, education and training plus family connections.

Nationally, homelessness is increasing largely due to landlords leaving the rental market. To mitigate this there has been an increase of Housing Needs resources with the appointment of two Homelessness Prevention officers.  Landlords, letting agencies and other organisations have been informed about this new resource, the ‘CallB4’ You Serve Service will act as a central point to speak to landlords to prevent them serving eviction notices.

The authority does not have its own housing stock and is reliant on Registered Social Landlords to deliver housing rents that are affordable. There are few private rented properties, both in existing stock and new developments which are available at low rent levels.

Housing applicants can be rehoused outside the borough in areas that have lower rental properties. Jigsaw Homes and other Registered Housing Providers have a good record of purchasing S.106 units agreed as part of the planning process.  They can purchase directly from developers but prefer to develop their own stock

There is a lack of affordable homes to rent or buy in the borough, the definition of affordable is problematic. Under the Government Housing Act 2016 developers are only required to provide a small percentage of affordable homes on new builds agreed as part of the Section 106 planning process.

Bed and Breakfast accommodation for homeless applicants is used as a last resort. When it is used the majority will be outside the borough, this is due to cost, availability and willingness of the proprietor to work with the Council. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has recently launched a range of funding opportunities aimed at assisting those who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Joint bids have been made with neighbouring boroughs, Notts. County Council, Service Providers and Public Health.  If successful it will enable the provision of enhanced support services and increasing the number of affordable homes.

The proposed renovations and upgrade to Calverton Leisure Centre have been delayed because of the discovery of asbestos in the pool hall. It was agreed that in order to prevent multiple closures of the centre the works should be completed at the same time.  However this is this is problematic and it is now highly unlikely that the works can be done simultaneously.  Once funding is in place for the refurbishment a procurement process can begin and the work has been provisionally schedule for the summer break 2019.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Thank Councillor Wheeler for attending and providing such full answers to Members; and

2)    To ask Jigsaw Homes about purchasing properties from developers and how they will increase their housing stock.