Agenda and minutes

The Chair confirmed that the meeting was being broadcast live to the internet via the Council’s website and was capable of repeated viewing. The images and sound recording may be used for training purposes within the Council. All were asked to keep to the speaking guidelines which were outlined.  Any views expressed by any speaker in the meeting are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of High Peak Borough Council.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2020 be approved as a correct record.

A call in of an Individual Executive Decision relating to George Street Wood, Glossop had been received, which, due to the report containing exempt information as set out in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12 A of the Local Government Act 1972, would be dealt with in Part II of the agenda.

Sergeants Adam Harrison and Anna Woodhouse gave members and update around the activities of Derbyshire Police over the past year. 

Covid policing teams had been  established and all PCSOs and Neighbourhood officers are responsible for covid  breaches in conjunction with partners including trading standards and licensing.    Support is also being given to health bodies in the roll out of the vaccination programme. Some members of staff have been re-deployed to help relieve pressure on the service where necessary.

Members thanked the police for their work over recent months, specifically within the communities and engagement through social media.  The importance of good communication between agencies and working with ward councillors was stressed and reference made to #operation Derbyshire facebook page.

Specific issues were raised around parking outside the shops on Pennine Road in Simmondley and enforcement of dangerous parking was requested.

There had been reports of indecent exposure on the Simmondley – Gamesley trail which would be investigated.

Regarding an increase in vehicle crime, members were advised that ANPR cameras were at fixed and temporary locations throughout High Peak. Crime numbers had peaked in October / November and Operation Baster had led to 6 arrests and a reduction in crime numbers.

Further information was requested around the reason for the consolidation of the TROs on the A624, the Executive Councillor would e mail the officer direct with details.

Regarding responsibility for hate crime, it was reported that all officers are responsible for hate crime and there is a nominated sergeant at divisional level.

RESOLVED:

That the officers be thanked for their attendance and presentation.

James Bromley, CEO of High Peak CVS provide an update of the recent activities undertaken by High Peak CVS, including an overview of the Annual Report 2019 – 20. 

Key to the activities of the CVS was the work undertaken with community and voluntary groups, the identification and proactive support of needs and facilitating the voice of the voluntary sector.  Work was undertaken in an alliance with other organisations throughout the High Peak including the Bureau and Connex. 

Particular reference was made to the work on-going around bereavement support services where support was offered by telephone, online and face to face when possible.  The Social Prescribing Service has also been introduced in High Peak which will be led by High Peak CVS to help support some of the most vulnerable people to access local community services.

Work was on-going to establish how other services can be re-established while still supporting those affected by the pandemic and demand was expected to increase and  challenges had been experienced in how communication can be achieved with the socially isolated.  In response to a comment, it was confirmed that work around this area was on-going in the Hope Valley to try and provide more direct support.

Reference was made to a project around PCrefurb in Glossop which aimed to bridge the digital divide by refurbishing donated  IT equipment to make computers available to the public.

Regarding funding, any cuts would be massively challenging  and it was hoped that he impact the organisations have had over the last 12 months would emphasise the risks.

Specific thanks were given to David Smith by both CVS and Connex as HPBC link and it was hoped that the good communication would continue post covid.

RESOLVED:

That James be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

Gill Geddes, Chief Executive, provided members with an update around the work of Connex. which works within High Peak and Derbyshire Dales to build strong and resilient communities and help vulnerable people to live safe, independent and fulfilled lives.

The organisation employs 102 staff and over 400 volunteers in providing a range of services to the community including community based support and social care. Most of the community based services are provided free of charge, although some, including the home maintenance and hoarding service are chargeable.  Buxton Street by Street had also increased the service ability’s to offer localised services within Buxton.  Work was undertaken in collaboration with other bodies including New Mills Volunteer Centre, CVS and The Bureau.

During Covid, services had been modified and there had been an increase in demand for the home from hospital and befriending services.  Other activities had been added including shopping and prescription collection.

The service had a wide range of sources of income and grant funding and HPBC was thanked for their support.  Fundraising activities were also on-going.  Planning was on-going for the continuation of the service after covid and the development of new

services to meet emerging needs.

RESOLVED:

That Gill be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

The committee considered an update on the progress of the second stage of the Council’s Leisure Consultancy work and also considered the formation of a Member working group to support the development of a ‘Leisure Transformation Plan.’

RESOLVED:

1.    That the progress of stage two of the Council’s Leisure Consultancy work be noted;

2.    That the formation of a Member Working group to support the development of a ‘Leisure Transformation Plan’ as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report be supported.

The following additions were requested to the work programme:

March – current arrangements for winter maintenance, both HPBC and DCC

Future Meetings –       Buxton Opera House – future maintenance

                                    Counselling service for students / mental health in schools

                                    Digital Divide

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the above additions, the work programme be noted,

The following question has been received from Cllr Collins for the meeting of Community Select Committee on 3 February 2021:

“The Government’s Green Homes Grant scheme for local authorities helps to fund energy efficiency improvements in low-income homes. Phase 1b of the scheme has a later deadline for applications of  December 2021. Please could the council explain whether it is taking  advantage of this funding as it upgrades its housing stock.”

Answer:

The submission deadline for phase 1b Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Schemes was December 4th 2020 with a completion date for the scheme measures being September 30th 2021.

High Peak Borough Council officers participate in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Local Authorities' Energy Partnership (LAEP), and consideration was given to the feasibility of making a joint local authority bid for phase 1.

Unfortunately due to a combination of a very short timescale and lack of capacity for any of the Derbyshire Councils to act as a lead organisation this did not happen. The Government introduced phase 1b as the fund available was significantly underbid. The time scale was similarly challenging, the option of a joint bid was not forthcoming, and High Peak Borough Council could not bid for the scheme.

In a change to the scheme's national administration, the phase 2 Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme is being administered by the Midlands Energy Hub. For phase 2 the Midlands Energy Hub has given every local authority an indicative allocation of funding. It is inviting Councils to put forward eligible schemes to draw down their indicated allocation. The indicative allocation for High Peak is £445,000. The Midlands Energy Hub has engaged with the LAEP to discuss how the scheme will operate and what support is required.  The initial timetable calls for Councils to confirm their interest in the scheme, to draw down initial administrative funding and then submit a full funding bid by May at the latest. The current completion date for measures in the new Green Homes Grant phase 2 is December 2021.

It is apparent from discussions in the LAEP with the Midlands Energy Hub that there is widespread concern that the timetable for delivery is too short, that finding sufficient numbers of qualified contractors to do the work is a significant challenge and that councils themselves lack the capacity to plan and deliver the programme on the current timescale.

The scheme's criteria is that improvements should be targeted on residents in fuel poverty who could benefit from energy efficiency measures in their properties – such as wall, loft and underfloor insulation, and solar panels. Properties should be currently rated E,F or G though a proportion could be rated D. The timescale for delivery is difficult, and contractor capacity is a challenge. However, it would be beneficial to draw down the full indicated funding allocation to improve the local housing stock.

Council Officers are engaging with the Midlands Energy Hub and the LAEP and are actively considering the kind of programme that could be delivered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20/9

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as set out in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

The Committee considered the call in of an Individual Executive Decision made in relation to George Street Wood, Glossop and agreed that the decision be not referred back to the Executive Councillor for further consideration.