Agenda and minutes

The following substitutions were made:-

Councillor Spooner for Councillor Johnson

Councillor Hoptroff for Councillor Salt

Councillor Beswick for Councillor B. Hughes

Councillor Roberts for Councillor Durose

- Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

- Other Interests

RESOLVED: That the minutes from the previous meeting held on 23 September 2024, be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED: That the minutes from the previous meeting of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel held on 30 September 2024, be noted.

There were none.

None had been received.

RESOLVED: That the Work Programme for 2024-2025, be noted.

Consideration was given to a presentation which covered the following subject areas:-

·       An overview of Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent

·       Services provided by the organisation

·       Various statistical information

·       Access to services

·       The difference the CAB makes and additional benefits

·       A case study

·       Client feedback

·       Volunteer information

In response to a query in relation to changes to the winter fuel allowance, it was confirmed that the CAB had noticed a considerable increase in the number of applications for Pension Credit. Clients were being encouraged to claim this benefit and various community groups/venues were visited by the CAB where people may be eligible to apply for Pension Credit.

Backlogs in the assessment of applications for Pension Credit was referred to and the Committee was advised that applications could be backdated to the date the claim was received.

There was a Pension Credit Helpline and it wasn’t necessary for claimants to contact the CAB.

Members were advised that Universal Credit, and in some cases, Council Tax reductions were underclaimed.

A request was made for geographical analysis to identify areas where residents had not accessed the services of the CAB. A newsletter was produced for the Manifold area which could incorporate the contact details for the CAB and assist in communicating with those in the rural areas.

Prebooked appointments were available at the CAB in Cheadle,  Leek and Biddulph.  Currently, drop-in facilities were only provided at the Biddulph Office until additional volunteers has been recruited.

Discussion also took place around expected basic living standards, poverty and homelessness.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the presentation be received;

2)    For a breakdown of the statistical information to be provided for the 3 towns in the Moorlands;

3)    If possible, for details of access to the CAB services by Ward to identify possible gaps in access to services.

As part of the presentation, the Chief Executive Officer advised that 123 sites had now enrolled on to the scheme with AEDdonate. The slides gave details around process, upgrades, unregistered defibrillators, expired batteries, average down times, site checks following deployment, attendance at community events, coverage, retrieval times and a store in Leek.

Members thanked the Officer and were grateful for the work carried out by the organisation to improve the maintenance of the defibrillators in their wards. It was felt that the this type of scheme was a success and would hopefully continue in the future.

Discussion took place around the cost for additional sites, importance of guardians, contractual arrangements, identifying gaps in defibrillator provision and support at fund raising events.

Clarification was sought around Defib Finder and a request was made for defibrillators not to be moved without consultation with the communities.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the presentation be received and comments noted;

2)    For a representative from AEDdonate to attend a future meeting of the Parish Assembly;

3)    For financial information to be included in a future update to the Panel.

The Chair of the Parish Assembly updated the Panel on the collaborative work carried out by the Working Group and Clerks’ meeting. Positive feedback had been received. The first edition of the newsletter had been published and further editions would be published in March, June, September and December.

The recent meeting of the Parish Assembly had been well attended at which  training was provided in terms of planning and renewable energy. Another  training session for town/parish councillors and clerks was scheduled to take place via Teams on 28 November 2024. This session would be recorded for future use. 

A Teams channel had been created for clerks which was actively being used to share information outside of meetings. Other work streams included the development of a co-created Parish Charter and discussions around membership of Staffordshire Parish Councils Association.

Members debated support for clerks due to increased attendance at meetings/training sessions as a number worked on a part-time basis, SPCA  membership costs and a shortage of clerks to cover absence.

A suggestion was made to roll-out a Teams channel for parish councillors and the possibility of the Chair of each parish assembly to receive emails.

The importance of sharing information between clerks and councillors and vice-versa was highlighted, particularly around planning notifications.

RESOLVED: That the update be received and comments noted.