Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Rebecca Tait  k

Items
No. Item

249.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence from the meeting were received from Councillor Mary Robinson.

250.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

251.

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary, other registrable and non registrable interests

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest in respect of matters contained in the agenda.

 

Minutes:

Councillor B Holden declared an interest in Agenda Item 9 – Capital Monitoring 2022/23

252.

Public participation

Minutes:

There was no public participation.

253.

Homeless Strategy 2022 - 2025 pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report requesting Committee consider the Homeless Strategy for 2022-2025.

 

The report explained the draft strategy was presented to Committee in January 2022 and was discussed in detail at the Homeless Forum in June 2022. Following consultations, the strategy had been amended to reflect comments received. The main amendments shown in red were inclusion of a summary, an updated action plan around Domestic Abuse services, and information about affordable housing completions.

 

Members were reminded that an up-to-date Homeless Strategy is a requirement under the Homeless Act.

 

There was discussion at the meeting around hidden homelessness. There was an anticipated increase in homelessness due to the rising cost of living, and landlords selling rental properties. It was also suggested that education was needed around the triggers for homelessness, such as parental eviction and relationship breakdown, to try and address these issues. It was felt that residents of the Borough may not believe homelessness was an issue as rough sleeping was not prevalent however homeless households were hidden as many sofa surf. Officers confirmed that housing need would be looked at as part of the Local Plan review in order to understand housing needs across the Borough and address them through appropriate projects.

 

Concerns were raised over the expected increase in Domestic Violence linked with the pressures of the rising cost of living. 

 

Committee requested that initiatives around Domestic Violence and Homelessness be moved up the agenda going forward, and that Committee receive a progress report at each cycle.

 

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

 

·         Approved the Ribble Valley Homeless Strategy for 2022-2025.

 

254.

Replacement of Vehicles pdf icon PDF 65 KB

Report of Chief Executive enclosed.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive submitted a report requesting approval of additional budgets on capital schemes for the replacement of the Pest Control Van and Dog Warden Van.

 

The report noted that on 13 January 2022 the Committee had approved the transfer of capital budgets to 2022/2023 for:

·         Replacement of Pest Control Van - £13,800

·         Replacement of Dog Warden Van - £13,500

 

Committee had also recommended that the Policy and Finance Committee approve additional budgets of £2,200 (Pest Control Van) and £2,500 (Dog Warden Van), for 2022/2023, due to updated guide prices and additional costs for fitting out the vans.

 

The report detailed the considerations with regards to the replacements, and the estimates for conversion work which would meet DEFRA welfare standards. This included fitting cages, sign writing, mechanical ventilation, and hazard warning signs. The report concluded that an increase in the budget of £5,891 was therefore necessary, being £2,837 for the Pest Control van and £3,054 for the Dog Warden van.

 

There was lengthy discussion around exploring the option of electric vehicles, and the cost of implementation. Members were minded to explore this considering the environmental benefits. The option of leasing was discussed, however, due to the modifications required on the vehicles Officers felt this was not a practical option.

 

Members requested information regarding disposal values of vehicles and equipment replaced, including trade ins, in future. 

 

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

 

·         Submit the request to Policy & Finance Committee for additional budget for the replacement of the Pest Control and Dog Warden vehicles. Two options to be submitted:

 

1.    Replacement with Diesel vehicles estimated cost £37,890, or

 

2.    Replacement with Electric vehicles estimated cost £76,000.

 

255.

Revenue Outturn 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 159 KB

Report of the Director of Resources enclosed.


Minutes:

The Director of Resources submitted a report on the outturn for the financial year 2021/22 in respect of the revenue budget for this committee.

 

There had been a number of variations in both income and expenditure during the year that had given rise to an overall underspend of £110,363 on the net cost of services. After transfers to and from earmarked reserves there was an overall underspend of £102,361 that had been added to General Fund Balances. Details by cost centre were outlined in the report for information.

256.

Revenue Monitoring 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 132 KB

Report of the Director of Resources enclosed.


Minutes:

The Director of Resources submitted a report informing committee of the position for the period April to June 2022 of this year’s revenue budget for this committee.

 

The comparison between actual and budgeted expenditure showed an underspend of £53,341 for the first three months of the financial year 2022/23, after allowing for transfers to/from earmarked reserves. Details of the variances were included in the report for information.

257.

Capital Monitoring 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 171 KB

Report of the Director of Resources enclosed.

Minutes:

The Director of Resources submitted a report for information of progress on the 2022/23 capital programme for the period to the end of June 2022 for this committee.

 

At the end of June 2022 £249,982 had been spent or committed which equated to 7.1% of the annual capital programme budget for this committee. Of the nine schemes in the capital programme, four schemes were expected to be completed in-year, one scheme was unlikely to be completed in-year, three schemes were on-going grants schemes, and it was unclear whether one scheme would be completed in-year.

 

Officers raised the following issue to provide clarification. It was possible that the S106 funding re Land North of Dilworth Lane, Longridge would be utilised in a different manner, therefore, for future reports it was proposed to split the approved budget of £2,048,080 as follows:

 

·         £422,130 left as the Equity Share Option Schemes.

·         £1,625,950 re-named as “Affordable Housing – Longridge” scheme.

 

The delay regarding the Joiners Arms Roof Renewal was noted, and it was requested that progress be reported at the next Committee.

258.

Homes for Ukraine Update pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed.

Minutes:

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report updating members about the current Homes for Ukraine position in the borough.

 

The report informed Committee that following a very positive response from homeowners to date there were 85 Ukrainian residents in the borough. A table was included showing the increasing numbers of sponsors and guests for all Lancashire boroughs. It was noted that the Clitheroe Ukrainian Support project continued, a welcome pool party had been arranged at Ribblesdale pool, an Independence Day Reception was being hosted, and a trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Guests had also received passes to access the pool and gym. Families were being provided housing advice and assistance and the Council’s Homes for Ukraine Assistant had commenced a full-time role.

 

DLUHC had written to host families to consider extending accommodation to 12 months from 6 months and responses were awaited.

 

It was confirmed at the meeting that sponsor accommodation was predominantly residential homes and, to date, 2 families had received assistance in moving into rental accommodation.

259.

Affordable Housing Update pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed.

Minutes:

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report informing members of the number of affordable housing units delivered across the borough in 2021/22.

 

The report confirmed the number of completions for 2021/22 was 162, which surpassed the annual target of 75, and was the highest number of affordable units completed in the borough in any year.

 

Members discussed the split of affordable housing ownership options and affordable rent and were keen to ensure that the split reflected the needs of residents. The number of completions was highlighted as a success; however, it was noted that there was a lack of affordable units within villages.  

260.

Minutes of Working Groups

None.

Minutes:

There were no minutes from Working Groups.

261.

Reports from representatives on outside bodies

262.

Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Report of Cllr David Peat enclosed.

Minutes:

Councillor David Peat submitted a report for information following the Council of Governors meeting on 12 July 2022 for Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust. The report noted the target for “full retraction” from the Calderstones site in December 2023/January 2024, and that 45 residents were currently on site.

263.

Lancashire CC NHS and Adult and Social Care Scrutiny committee pdf icon PDF 5 KB

Report of Cllr David Peat enclosed.

Minutes:

Councillor David Peat submitted a report for information following the Lancashire County Council NHS and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee on 13 July 2022. At the meeting 2 presentations had outlined strategies for Adult Social Care with the new NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, and also Health and Well-being.

264.

Exclusion of Press and Public

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That by virtue of the next item of business being exempt information under Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be now excluded from the meeting.

265.

Grants Update

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed.

Minutes:

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report for information on recent approvals for seven Disabled Facilities grants and two Ribble Valley Adaptation grants. No new First Time Buyer Energy Efficiency Grants or Landlord/tenant Capital Grants had been approved since the last committee report.