Meeting documents

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2016.

The minutes of the PAG on 13 June were agreed.

The PAG noted the report of the Bucks HASC May 2016.

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

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:

·         Homelessness: the total number of homeless within temporary accommodation is 67, with the number of homeless within B&B accommodation falling to 39 - 21 being in B&B over 6 weeks.

·         Private Sector Housing Strategy: this was to be reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, with there currently being no significant changes to the strategy after consultation.

·         Community Safety: South Bucks continues to be a safe place to live, with low crime. During the period April-July 2016 – in comparison to the same period in 2015 - the number of non-dwelling burglaries had reduced, however 57 burglaries at dwellings were reported. Violent crime had increased by 46.5% on the same period last year, thought to be linked to the change in national recording standards, and was seen as typical across the board.

·         Community Cards: 32 schools signed up to the scheme, which ended during June. Three schools won a trip to Legoland, with the scheme having been well-received by all.

·         Licensing: the Taxi Policy Consultation has concluded, with the policy to be reviewed by the Licensing Committee on 5^th October.

·         Environmental Health:

o   After a year of hard work, the team has a successful prosecution award of £2.2million fine, with officers feeling that this could be used to aid publicity around Health and Safety fines.

o   Repeat complaints from previous years had been focussed on in order to minimise risk of further repeat complaints. Due to this work, repeat complaints at The Polish Club, Iver Sewage Works, Big Ben’s (Burnham) and 85 High Street (Burnham)

o   The dog contractor was now patrolling green spaces, and increasing contact is being made with Town Councils over working in partnership to tackle dog fouling.

o   The Air Quality review is currently with DEFRA.

To consider the report of the Interim Director of Services.

Members were updated by the Head of Healthy Communities that this item was to be taken back to consultation phase in order to look at the different types of seating available for the Centre, which would aid the determination of the type of flooring to be used. Additionally, Members were informed that the existing seating would shortly be removed due to safety concerns.

To consider the report of the Interim Director of Services.

The PAG received a report detailing applications which had been made from the following organisations for funding from the Community Development Grant budget 2016/17, of which a balance of £15k remained:

During the discussion around Denham Cricket Club, the PAG noted that the Community Development Grant stated that funding is available for 50% of the project costs, up to a maximum of £1500 – the full cost of the ride-on second-hand mower would be circa £9k.

The PAG also discussed that in the case of the Butterfly Conservation Upper Thames Branch (BCUTB), Environment Grant conditions state that community groups can be awarded up to 100% the costs of the project, hence the request for £549, which comprises: 20 x Dutch Elm Disease Resistant Elm Trees; 20 x deer-proof tree-guards and; 20 x 1.2m stakes with tree ties.

After consultation with the PAG, the Portfolio Holder RESOLVED to award:

1.       £1500 to Denham Cricket Club for the purchase of ride-on mower and;

2.       £549 to Butterfly Conservation Upper Thames Branch for the planting of Elm trees, to replace those killed by Dutch Elm disease.

To consider the report of the Interim Director of Services.

The Members of the PAG considered a report detailing a request to consider allocation of funding for Rape Crisis (Wycombe, Chiltern and South Buckinghamshire).

The report detailed that Rape Crisis (Wycombe, Chiltern and South Buckinghamshire) had written to all Buckinghamshire Councils to request revenue funding to enable service delivery following the loss of funding from the Police Crime Commissioner, asking for a non-specific contribution to the organisation’s running costs.

Members discussed how far-reaching the voluntary organisation was in terms of its aid and impact, supporting non-abusing female and male partners, friends, relatives, and parents of victims, alongside the victims themselves. It was seen that the organisation also supports educational campaigns, counselling, befriending, advocacy, drop-in sessions, outreach, a helpline, emotional support and the ISVA service across South Bucks. Additionally, Members were informed that the Police had identified Rape Crisis as a key support service.

During the discussion, the Portfolio Holder and the Head of Healthy Communities clarified that Chiltern District Council would be looking to match SBDC’s funding proposal of £4,000/annum.

After consultation with the PAG, the Portfolio Holder RESOLVED that:

1.       South Bucks District Council supports the funding appeal from Rape Crisis (Wycombe, Chiltern and South Buckinghamshire) through the award of £4,000/annum on condition of a signed three year funded Service Level Agreement, with a 12-month review.

To consider the report of the Interim Director of Services.

The PAG received a report detailed plans to award three service level agreements with organisations that assist the Council in delivering its services.

Members of the PAG noted that the grants review had identified key organisations that the Council works in partnership with to provide services that directly impact on the Council’s key objectives (attached as Appendix 1). It was discussed that organisations would be awarded three year service level agreement, to include breakout clauses to allow the SLAs to be reviewed if the organisations were no longer delivering in accordance with Council priorities.

The three organisations in question, and the annual funding required were:

·         Citizen Advice Bureau £42,000

·         Community Impact Bucks (via the Buckinghamshire Infrastructure Contract) £8,708

·         Wycombe Women’s Aid £7,000

All three organisations were seen to be key in delivering the Council’s services, with Members noting that Three Rivers Citizen Advice Bureau currently operates of out the Council offices, and is funded via a SLA to deliver services in return for a grant of £42,000/pa; it is proposed to extend this SLA for a three year period, at the same rate. 

Community Impact Bucks had been awarded the joint contract (Districts and County) to deliver voluntary sector infrastructure services – SBDC are now proposing funding of £8,708 via BCC in order to maintain service delivery (currently from the Subscriptions & Donations budget).

Wycombe Women’s aid was seen by Members to provide support to women and children experiencing domestic violence: the organisation links directly to the community safety and housing responsibilities of the Council, with SBDC hoping to maintain the Council’s contribution of £7,000 through a grant linked to a three year SLA.

In addition to this, the PAG considered the funding of Padstones, who supported an average of 525 young people each year.

After questions and answers, the Portfolio Holder, with the advice of the PAG RESOLVED that:

1.       Annual funding be given to:

·         Citizen Advice Bureau of £42,000;

·         Community Impact Bucks (via the Buckinghamshire Infrastructure Contract) of £8,708;

·         Wycombe Women’s Aid of £7,000

following an agreed three year Service Level Agreement being signed (to include a 12 month break clause)

AND

further RESOLVED that:

2.       Delegation be given to the Portfolio Holder to award funding to Padstones in return for an agreed three year Service Level Agreement being signed (to include a 12 month break clause).

None.

 To receive the Part II minutes of the meeting held on the 13 June 2016.

The Part II minutes of the PAG on 13 June were agreed.