Agenda and minutes

Councillor Gledhill was substitute member for Councillor Yates.

DECIDED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 11 July 2022 be APPROVED as a correct record..

There were none.

·         Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

·         Other Interests

No interests were declared.

DECIDED:

The minutes of the meeting of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel held on 26 September 2022 were noted.

(At least two clear days notice required, in writing, to the Proper Officer in accordance with Procedure Rule 15).

Question received from Councillor Hart:

Q1. “How many community orchard trees are still alive after the summer drought?”

Response from Councillor Porter – Portfolio Holder for Climate Change:

According to Tree Talk, up to 30% of newly planted trees can die within the first year of planting. This summer was particularly warm with long periods without significant rain, which made it even more difficult for new trees. We will need to see which trees come back to leaf next spring before knowing for sure how many have been lost.  However, provisional figures from Cheadle suggest that out of the 118 trees that were planted, 80 appear to have survived, which would be a 32% loss rate.

In response to supplementary questions around cost and prevention measures for the loss of trees, it was confirmed that the Council worked in partnership with community groups and organisations to maintain the trees. The Portfolio Holder planned to meet each town council to formalise these arrangements. The cost of the community orchard scheme would be would be provided after the meeting.

Any additional items to be added to the Work Programme:

·         Chair’s Items

·         Members’ Items

At this point of the meeting, the Chair informed councillors of the Community Volunteer Celebration event due to take place on 12 November 2022 in the Churnet Room.

DECIDED:

That the Work Programme be agreed.

This item had been postponed as the Commissioner had given his apologies for this meeting.

The Panel received a presentation which covered the following topics:

·       Background

·       Creation and development of the community managed library

·       Operation of the organisation

·       Development of the Wellbeing Programme

·       Highlights

Members congratulated Wendy and the team of dedicated volunteers for the excellent service provided at the centre.

Discussion took place around the provision of youth services, consultation with the local community, ideas to assist with the increased cost of living such as the use of the library and lodges for warm spaces and the wellbeing of volunteers.

The Village Life booklet and information leaflets were distributed to all members present at the meeting.

A suggestion was made for councillors and officers to visit the centre and the Chair thanked the Wendy for her informative presentation.

DECIDED:

That the presentation be noted.

Members received a report which set out the support which the Council currently provided to residents in the face of the cost-of-living crisis, and specifically rising energy costs and the predicted future energy price increases in October 2022. Consideration was given to options for the provision of additional support to residents.

Further to the debate at Full Council on 12 October 2022, the Panel agreed to set up an Energy Crisis Working Group. Group Leaders were asked to notify the Democratic Services Team of the names of the councillors they wish to  nominate to this group.

In response to a query on the publication of an advice booklet, downloadable documents would be available on the Council’s website. This method had been welcomed by partner organisations and advice had been commissioned for residents with Citizens Advice and Beat the Cold. Telephone appointments were available, along with home visits for vulnerable clients. The Portfolio Holder for Communities made a suggestion for a targeted approach to be taken for the distribution of a booklet to town/parish councils and local community groups.

Information on the receipt of funding from an energy efficiency grant for social housing and assistance for rural properties would be provided after the meeting.

Although members appreciated the current staff vacancies, it was commented that there was a need to extend the opening hours of the Council’s reception. The Leader confirmed this matter was currently being reviewed with the Customer Services Team.

Recommendation

That the Panel supported the following recommendations to the Cabinet:

1)    Notes the action being taken to respond to the cost-of-living crisis;

2)    Supports the creation of a Fuel Bank for Staffordshire Moorlands to support those residents paying for their household energy via a pre-payment meter and who are experiencing fuel poverty;

3 ) Approves the ECO4 statement of intent and delivery of the scheme in collaboration with Beat the Cold;

4)    Approves further conversations with the North Staffordshire Financial Inclusion Group about working together to develop an affordable credit model that includes Staffordshire Moorlands;

5)    For Your Housing Group to incorporate information on the social housing de-carbonisation grant in the next regular performance update received by the Panel;

6)    To request YHG to attend the Panel on a quarterly basis, rather than every 6 months;

7)    For an Energy Crisis Working Group to be established.

At the request of the Panel, members received a presentation on the decarbonisation of Council buildings and assets.  Topics covered included; work underway, projects, external LED lighting and at Moorlands House, projects at leisure centres and key future work.

Thanks was given to the Assets Team for the work undertaken to reduce carbon emission.

The Panel debated ongoing maintenance costs for replacement bulbs, a phased approach to the various projects dependent on the size and EV charging points. It was anticipated that the EV Charging Strategy would be considered by the Service Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Panel in the near future.

DECIDED:

That the presentation be received.

The Chair to Move:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

DECIDED:

That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100 I (1)  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.

The Panel considered a question related to CCTV.