Meeting documents

Venue: Capswood, Oxford Road, Denham, UB9 4LH

Contact: Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

43.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 91 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2016.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2016 were confirmed.

44.

Reports from Members

Minutes:

An update report by Dr Matthews of the Bucks Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee was received and noted by Members of the PAG.

 

Mr Pepler circulated a report of the meeting of the Bucks Healthcare Trust he had attended on 30 March 2016.

 

45.

Healthy Communities Update Report pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To receive an update report from the Head of Healthy Communities.

Minutes:

The PAG received a report providing an update on issues falling within the Healthy Communities Portfolio.

 

During the discussion the PAG particularly noted the following:

 

·         Bucks Home Choice: 443 applicants were registered with South Bucks District Council for Bucks Home Choice, with a further 204 applicants registered as Housing Options cases.

 

·         Homelessness: As of 19th May 2016, SBDC had a total of 66 homeless households in temporary accommodation, with 37 in B&B, representing a significant increase on the numbers from 12 months previously (19/5/15).

 

·         Disabled Facilities Grants: approved adaptations to 49 properties (to a value of £313,000) and completed works at 42 properties.

 

·         Licensing: Barnardo’s CSE training pilot has now been given to all drivers and operators.

 

·         Environmental Health: shared service delivery is now operational across both councils and is moving forward. The ongoing complaint of flies from Iver De-Watering Plant has been received from residents, and discussions have been held with Thames Water and Slough Borough, with an Abatement Notice having been served.

 

·         Community Safety: there has been an increase in violent crime by 33.4% compared to the last 12 months – this is thought to be linked to the change in national recording standards, and has been observed across the Force. It is thought that residents are now more likely to report minor injuries than previously, and that there are no particular crime hotspots within the District. The Portfolio Holder requested that the crime per area report be reinstated at the Healthy Communities Minutes.

46.

Food and Health & Safety Business Plans pdf icon PDF 103 KB

To consider the report of the Interim Director of Services.

Minutes:

The PAG received a report regarding the Joint Food and Health and Safety Business Plans. The PAG noted that this was an annual plan that is brought forward to the PAG each year, with the difference this year being that these are now joint plans between the councils. Members of the PAG were pleased to note that mentoring and coaching would be taking place with businesses, to identify the measures that can be improved, those that fail to improve, and how they can then be improved.

 

After discussion within the PAG, the Portfolio Holder agreed to recommend to Cabinet to:

 

1.    To approve the joint Food and Health and Safety Service Plan (Appendix 1)

2.    To approve the Food and Health and Safety Enforcement Policies (Appendix 2 and 3).

47.

Joint Private Sector Housing Strategy and Financial Assistance Policy pdf icon PDF 99 KB

Minutes:

The PAG received a report Joint Private Sector Housing Strategy and Financial Assistance Policy for consideration, following on from the Joint Members Session in February, which looked at Housing Strategy across the two councils. Primarily, this strategy and policy is based around the provision of financial help for adaptations, repair, occupation licensing and standards. The Strategy and policy are focussed on aligning both authorities, and implementing a common approach throughout both CDC and SBDC.

 

The Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the PAG, recommended that:

 

1.    The Head of Healthy Communities implement a consultation period for the adoption of the Strategy, of no less than 6 weeks.

2.    That the Head of Healthy Communities prepare a report to be presented at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee detailing the consultation process.

3.    That following the Consultation period, the Strategy be taken to Cabinet.

48.

Delegated Authority for the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 pdf icon PDF 102 KB

To consider report Interim Director of Services

Minutes:

The Members of the PAG received a report considering the Delegated Authority for the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015.

 

The report detailed the powers that came into effect on 6 April 2016, and the need to amend the Constitution in order to facilitate the efficient and effective enforcement of the legislation, which provides for the compulsory microchipping of dogs, as well as the recording of each dog’s identity and keeper’s contact details on a prescribed database. The amendment would allow for a Notice being sent to the keeper advising them of the legal requirements, and requiring any dog being collected by the dog service, being chipped within 28 days.

 

The Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the PAG, recommended to Cabinet:

1.    To include the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and subordinate Regulations within the Scheme of Delegation.

2.    To delegate to the Head of Healthy Communities the appointment of officers for all purposes in connection with these enactments and to give the authority to officers to exercise any of the powers specified within the enactments.

3.    To amend the Constitution.

49.

Commuted Sums Update - Affordable Housing pdf icon PDF 143 KB

To receive report of Head of Healthy Communities.

Minutes:

The PAG received an update report regarding Commuted Sums – Affordable Housing.

 

The report provided the members of the PAG with an overview of the various schemes that the monies in question are utilised for, and raises the query of how to take the funds forward, with suggestions for this laid out in the recommendations within the report. The PAG noted that these include discussions with partners, including those with L&Q on how the Council could support them to redevelop some of their sites: the acquisition programme of L&Q has slowed, but is still ongoing. The PAG agreed that it would be prudent for the council to adopt a flexible approach

 

After consultation with the PAG, the Portfolio Holder agreed to recommend to Cabinet that:

 

1.    Members agree to the continued operation of the Acquisition, EquityShare and Downsizing schemes within current allocated funding levels and to cease the Incentive to Purchase scheme.

2.    Members agree to reallocate funding from the Acquisition scheme on a case by case basis to support the on site development of affordable housing by L+Q.

3.    Members agree to delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities agreement to finalise the level of financial support from Commuted Sums for partnership projects which will increase the delivery of affordable rented accommodation.

4.     Members agree to allocating the available £1.4M Affordable Housing Contributions (commuted sums) for opportunities that arise by working in partnership with registered Providers, other public bodies and or developers to provide grant funding to deliver affordable rented properties on site.

 

50.

Update on Major Infrastructure - Cumulative Impacts with a focus on air quality in Iver pdf icon PDF 529 KB

To receive update of the Head of Healthy Communities.

Decision:

The following decision(s) were taken by Healthy Communities PAG Portfolio Holder Paul Kelly at its meeting held on Monday 13 June 2016:-

 

Written Statement of Executive Decision:

 

(a)  Decision;

The endorsement of the use of £2,750 from the already allocated funding for a Detailed Air Quality Assessment in Iver.

 

(b)  Reasons for the decision;

 

This process is statutorily set out in the Environment Act 1995. This process will fulfil the statutory air quality guidance for monitoring and allow base line data to be established. It will also provide definitive data to support future challenges to the adequacy of proposed mitigation and technical challenge.

The Council needs to robustly demonstrate the existing problem locations and work through the air quality assessment process with a view to confirming the need for an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) designation.

 

(c)  Details of alternative options considered and rejected by the member when making the decision;

 

As the process is statutorily set out in the Environment Act 1995, no alternative options were available.

 

Minutes:

The PAG received a report for consideration informing Members how the change in local infrastructure meant that officers were now obliged to review and assess air quality within the district.

 

The report informed members of the PAG that the current method of testing – diffusion tubes – was indicative of Nitrogen Oxide levels being above the 40mg objective level. This in turn is identified as a new exceedance, which allows for a Detailed Assessment to be carried out in order that if confirmed, the exceedance would lead to an Air Quality Management Area to be declared.

 

After questions from the PAG, Officers clarified that the detailed assessment will look at the district broadly in order to see where exceedance occurs, and that there would be scope within the detailed assessment to include any areas of exceedance concern. Regarding the impact of vehicle movements, and which areas to test for exceedance Officers will advise Members of the locations of the additional air quality monitoring points to identify the background levels and monitor future trends.

 

After consultation with the PAG, the Portfolio Holder recommended that Members:

 

1.    Note that Officers from across the Council – Planning Policy, Environmental Health and the HS2 team are in dialogue on each of the proposed infrastructure projects providing critical feedback on proposals.

2.    Note the statutory framework in relation to air quality and the increased potential for air quality deterioration in the Iver area as a result of major national infrastructure projects.

3.    Endorse the use of £2,750 from the already allocated funding for a Detailed Air Quality Assessment in Iver.

4.    Acknowledge the process for engagement with local and statutory bodies if the air quality assessment indicates that an AQMA should be designated.

5.    Note the intention to investigate the proposed purchase of a FIDAS PM10 PM2.5 PM1 air quality monitor for Iver, using the funding already agreed to provide robust and conclusive data for the area and also provide this to relevant stakeholders including the public, Bucks County Council and national project developers.

6.    Note that officers will undertake a review of the effectiveness of the current

motorway Air Quality Monitor (NO2 analyser and PM10 monitor) including the

potential of transferring the management to Highways England, moving the monitor or indeed decommissioning. The monitor is currently under contract until April 2017, at which point a decision would be made.

7.    To note the intention to reserve a proportion of the allocated funding for future

analysis of noise assessments following further negotiations with external

stakeholders to improve their proposals and associated mitigation.

 

51.

South Bucks Leisure Advisory Board pdf icon PDF 96 KB

To consider report of Head of Healthy Communities.

Decision:

The following decision(s) were taken by Healthy Communities PAG Portfolio Holder Paul Kelly at its meeting held on Monday 13 June 2016:-

 

Written Statement of Executive Decision:

 

(a)  Decision;

 

To agree to a joint leisure advisory group to maximise the opportunities for partnership working across the two Councils through their contracts with GLL and through working with Public Health, the Clinical Commissioning Group and the County Sports Partnership.

 

(b)  Reasons for the decision;

 

To maximise opportunities for partnership working across Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils, GLL, LEAP, the Clinical Commissioning Group and Public Health to assists in the delivery of increased participation in physical activity.

 

(c)  Details of alternative options considered and rejected by the member when making the decision;

 

The option of continuing as two separate groups was considered but rejected due to being deemed inefficient as a whole.

 

Minutes:

The PAG received a report for consideration inform Members of the proposal to create a joint Chiltern and South Bucks Leisure Advisory Group to oversee leisure partnership working with the County Sports Partnership (LEAP), Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), Public Health, Clinical Commissioning, Chiltern District Council and South Bucks District Council.

 

The members of the PAG were informed that Portfolio Holders from both Councils had thought it practical, for efficiencies and efficacy, that the CDC and SBDC boards should be brought together. The report proposed this scenario to Members of the PAG, and laid out terms of reference and governance.

 

After considering the report, the Portfolio Member, in consultation with the PAG recommended to Cabinet that:

 

1.    Members agree to a joint leisure advisory group to maximise the opportunities

for partnership working across the two councils through their contracts with GLL and through working with Public Health the Clinical Commissioning Group and the County Sports Partnership.

52.

Open Spaces and Leisure Facilities Review pdf icon PDF 94 KB

To note the report of Head of Healthy Communities.

Minutes:

The PAG received a report informing Members of the decision by the Portfolio Holder to undertake an Indoor Leisure Facilities and Open Spaces and Playing Pitch review in support of the joint Local Plan, and to inform future leisure needs in the district.

 

The report detailed that the review has been commissioned with Strategic Leisure, with an interim report available towards the end of July. Members were pleased to note that the process involves consultation with stakeholders including parishes, clubs, groups dealing with green spaces and schools. The review will subsequently be incorporated into the local plan, forming part of the evidence base.

 

After consultation with the members of the PAG, the Portfolio Holder recommended that:

1.    Members note the decision to commission the joint Open Spaces and Playing Pitch review with Chiltern District Council.

2.    Members note the decision to commission the South Bucks District Council Indoor Leisure Facilities review.

53.

London and Quadrant Merger Announcement pdf icon PDF 116 KB

Minutes:

Members of the PAG received a report advising Members of proposals for London and Quadrant Housing to undertake a merger with Hyde Group and East Thames Group.

 

Members were keen to highlight that the focus on local needs must continue, even with a centralised service base. Members of the PAG noted that the merger would lead to a stronger asset base within the economic climate, and that London and Quadrant would be open to dialogue concerning Commuted Sums as they have a significant target in terms of delivering affordable housing.

 

After questions from Members of the PAG, the Portfolio Holder recommended that:

 

1.    Members note the contents of the report.

 

 

54.

Any Other Business

In accordance with matters that the Chairman agrees as urgent in accordance with section 100B of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

None.

55.

Exempt Information

The Chairman to move the following resolution:-

 

"That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act."

 

56.

Gerrards Cross Police Station Site

To consider report of the Head of Healthy Communities.