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.

i)              Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

ii)             Other Interests

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RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2022 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered a report which provided a briefing on the Renters Reform Bill. 

It was noted in the report that the numbers of private landlords were declining, and the Executive Councillor commented that this could be due to Air B & B and advised that there is a bill going through Parliament which would allow councils to levy a fee on Air B & Bs from 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Chair requested that High Peak Buses be contacted to explain their reasoning behind the cuts to the bus service to Harpur Hill.

Derbyshire Police were requested to provide a further update after a period of around 6 months.  The Executive Councillor requested that Senior Officers and the PCC be requested to brief members on the outcome of the PEEL report.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee Work Programme be noted.

Insp Anna Woodhouse, Sgt Graham Knight and PCSO Supervsior Lee Baker were in attendance to provide an update on matters within High Peak, together with issues pertinent to the PEEL report. 

The following issues were discussed:

·       Use of private companies – not for any security matters

·       Use of ANPR cameras – fixed and flexible cameras were in use and the information gained was used daily in investigations.  There is mobile ANPR in police vehicles.  Flexible cameras could be I place at one location for up to 90 days subject to a cost / benefit analysis.  Information also obtained from private ANPR systems (petrol station forecourts and retail parks).

·       Estates – it was confirmed that the proposed facility in Chapel en le Frith would not be going ahead to enable the response teams to be situated in Buxton and Glossop to ensure a speedy response.  Teams would now be operating on a more mobile basis.  Plans were in hand to bring Buxton Police Station up to standard within the next 2-3 years, although it was not known whether this would include a custody suite.  Reference was made to constrained space for vehicles in the vicinity which would be addressed as part of the re-development.

·       Detention cells – use of facilities at Ashton under Lyne and Cheadle – this is working well with current numbers back up to pre Buxton closure and good working relationship with GMP

·       Concerns regarding 101 access – this needs to be improved and had been highlighted within the PEEL report – a re-inspection is to take place later this year.  Better technology is to be introduced and alternative options such as direct dial mail boxes.

·       Recruitment – there had been an uplift in recruitment and High Peak had recruited 19 new officers this year and is now at its establishment number, recruitment would continue.  It was noted that there was a nationwide problem with recruiting PCSOs, and that more police officers are now on Safer Neighbourhood Teams.  It was also confirmed that Insp Woodhouse will be continuing in her role in High Peak.

·       Wellbeing of staff – an inclusive and belonging workplace had been established, and work was on-going as a priority around the mental health wellbeing of staff, including the provision of a good working environment in terms of buildings and facilities and on-going training.

·       Communities – members were invited to continue to meet with neighbourhood teams and support events in their areas, efforts would be made to provide more notice of community meetings and to advertise more widely.  Reference was made to the high visibility of the SNT teams within communities as well as the social media presence.

·       PEEL Report – the comments of the Chief Inspector were conveyed to the committee, which acknowledged that improvements were required in some areas, the force will be inspected again later this year, with the results of that inspection expected around November.

The Chair thanked the representatives for their attendance.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the update be noted;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23/39

Representatives of Parkwood Leisure were in attendance to provide an update on the Leisure Contract and performance at Pavilion Gardens over the last year.

Around the leisure contract, information was provided around membership levels, swimming lessons, customer feedback, social media activity, energy management, capital investment, the active communities programme, sector results and covid recovery, upcoming challenges and plans for the future.  In relation to energy management, the measures being undertaken to understand and reduce usage were set out, with it being noted that the leisure sector is not included in the Government’s Energy Bills Discount Scheme.

Specific reference was made to an incident at New Mills Leisure Centre where at the start of this year, a customer had suffered a cardiac arrest whilst playing 5 a side football.  Staff used AED to resuscitate the gentleman, who was taken to hospital where he underwent emergency treatment.  The Executive Councillor thanked Jack Cooke, Andrew Lomas and Beth Hindle for their life saving actions.

Parkwood were commended for their community outreach work which contributes in partnership with HPBC to deliver the Move More Peak Strategy.

With reference to Pavilion Gardens, information was provided around usage and a number of new initiatives introduced throughout 2022, including the Travellers Choice Award from Trip Advisor and on-going work with local stakeholder groups.  Difficulties had been experienced in recruitment, particularly in catering and there had been no heating in the building during Autumn / Winter.  It was reported that a temporary solution was now in place. The works undertaken within phases 2 & 3 of the capital works were set out, including the opening of one of the very few Changing Places toilet.  Projects and developments for 2023 were set out, including a new website design and the development of online booking and payment for events.

The Executive Councillor thanked the staff on site, particularly during the extensive capital works.

It was suggested that usage of the Changing Places toilet be monitored to establish if it has an impact on visitor numbers.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted with thanks.

Members were provided with an update around the work of the Private Sector Housing Team over the last 12 months, which included:

·       the application of a new Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy

·       the inspection of a large number of homes as part of the Homes for Ukrainians Scheme

·       the potential introduction of a compulsory Decent Homes Standard for Private Sector Landlords – this has been an aspiration for some years, and grant funding was used efficiently around 10 years ago to increase the standards and to meet the Government target.  There has been a decline in recent years due to many reasons, including challenges around heating homes and a significant increase is expected

·       Disabled Facilities Grants will be transferred to Norse from April 2023 which is the first time the local authority can control the delivery of the service and control performance

·       Assisted Parkwood with the Changing Places toilet- there is a wish to improve access to community run facilities and it is hoped that this can be built on to increase participation in community runs clubs and activities

·       Empty Homes Strategy – critical review undertaken – discussions ongoing around funded EP post to work on empty properties in conjunction with council tax and benefits, funded through new homes bonus and savings made on the use of 3^rd party contractors

·       HMOs – 47 licensed, which is a decrease partly due to a reduction in student properties. There has been an increase in supported housing HMOs, but funding is available to look at a support housing worker

·       Energy efficiency and climate change – work closely with energy partners to develop strategies to intervene in energy efficiency in private sector housing

Following the recent Rochdale case, all local authorities have to determine their priority response to damp and mould issues in an effort to improve services.  The Head of Housing Services advised that in respect of the council’s housing stock, a new procedure had been agreed with Norse, whereby any reports of damp will be prioritised.  Councillors were requested to forward any reports of damp and mould immediately to Helen Core (council stock) or Mike Towers (private sector).

The Head of Housing Services was holding a briefing for members on 9 March around Tenant Satisfaction Measures in response to the social housing white paper, which all were invited to attend.

A further update would be given in due course, members were requested to convey any priority areas.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted with thanks.

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