Venue: By Teams. View directions
Contact: Wyn Richards, Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services
Email: wyn.richards@powys.gov.uk
Media
Items
No. |
Item |
1. |
Apologies
To receive apologies for absence.
Minutes:
There were no apologies for absence.
|
2. |
Disclosures of Interest
Any disclose of interests by Members relating
to items to be considered at the meeting.
Minutes:
The Committee did not receive any declarations
of interest from Members relating to items for consideration on the
agenda.
|
3. |
Declaration of Party Whips
To receive disclosures of prohibited party
whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in
accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure
2011.
(NB: Members are reminded that under Section
78 Members having been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on
a matter before the Committee.)
Minutes:
The
Committee did not receive any disclosures of prohibited party whips
which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in
accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure
2011.
|
4. |
Scrutiny of Business Critical Activities
|
4.1 |
Homelessness PDF 105 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Documents
Considered:
·
Extract from the Portfolio Holder Update –
statistics to 20th May, 2020.
Issues
Discussed:
·
Updated statistics provided for 1 June
2020:
Stat
|
01/06/2020
|
Comments
|
No. of live homeless
cases
|
286
|
|
No. of homeless
households in TA (excluding B&B)
|
97
|
|
No. of households in
B&B
|
18
|
|
Number of new
properties identified to boost temporary accommodation
provision
|
63
|
54 are PCC
properties, 1 Pobl, 1 Grwp Cynefin, 7
MWHA.
|
Number of (known)
people still rough sleeping
|
5
|
|
Number of
homelessness presentations during last two weeks
|
22
|
(18/5/20 to 1/6/20)
19 for the same period last year
|
Number of homeless
presentations since 1st March 2020
|
180
|
127 for the same
period last year
|
Reasons for
homelessness for presentations since 1st March
|
|
Top reason is still
non-violent breakdown of relationship with partner, closely
followed by parents no longer able or willing to accommodate. Last
year it was loss of rented accommodation - this is now in third
place. Violent breakups remain higher than last year. Increase with
regard to rent arrears in PRS compared with last year.
|
Breakdown of
age-bands for presentations since 1st March
|
See Age Bands
tab
|
Top age band is
36-59 which is the same as last year and this age group has seen
the biggest increase. More 16-17 yr
olds this year
|
·
Questions:
Difference between Powys and
Wales average is pronounces, over 80% of ours is single persons
compared to 60% across Wales. Also this is not just finding a home
for individuals but extra resources needed from social care, third
sector etc. Is the Council getting enough support for these
individuals and providing accommodation and support permanently
which is the way forward.
|
Single person households is the
main issue for Powys at present. Powys currently has only around
100 general purpose single person flats. The temporary
accommodation being used is larger than needed for individuals or
couples, so alternatives will be needed following the end of
lockdown which are not available in the social sector. Powys last
year asked Welsh Government to be involved in a private sector
leasing scheme pilot, but had been unsuccessful. Powys does rely on
the private sector to house single persons.
Welsh Government has made
£20m available to all Welsh local authorities and Powys will
be bidding for additional support and funding. One area identified
as lacking is Assertive Outreach Support i.e. support which sticks
with an individual wherever they go. Current support provision is
also being reviewed with social care.
|
What is the number of known
rough sleepers?
|
There are currently 5 rough
sleepers in Powys.
|
Is the aim to eliminate all
rough sleepers in Powys and what is the timescale?
|
Offers of accommodation have
been made to the individuals but they are not taking these up. The
Service is engaging with these individuals and they are aware of
their obligations under the Covid-19 restrictions.
|
Is this a seasonable
effect?
|
Possibly.
|
Success of the homelessness
cell is something to be celebrated, but because of that
consideration ... view
the full minutes text for item 4.1
|
|
4.2 |
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)
Minutes:
Documents
Considered:
·
None
Issues
Discussed:
·
Since pandemic, work being undertaken with Welsh
Government and CSS Waste Wales Working Group to co-ordinate
responses. Plan was to open sites up once clear guidance was
available. Traffic management plans have been put in place, risk
assessments on the site, and much work done on communications with
the public. The use of a booking system was considered but based on
the experience of other Councils it did not appear to be essential
to have a booking system in place.
·
When the centres were opened there were some queues,
but the Council kept its information channels up to date advising
the public of the current situation.
·
Issues at Lower Cwmtwrch
led to an adjustment to the traffic management plan which overcame
the issue. Consideration is being given to allowing access to vans
and permit holders on an ongoing basis.
·
Questions:
Planning has worked as well as
communications. Can we continue the communications especially about
weekly waste collections and the ability to collect more from the
kerbside.
|
Powys has collected more from
the kerbside during the pandemic and the recycling rate has
increased.
|
Need to thank the public for
their co-operation and collecting more at the kerbside should
continue rather than people taking it to the HWRCs.
|
Communications will continue
with the public and the response from the public has been
positive.
|
Risk assessments at the HWRCs
were high, but the mitigation is disinfecting hand rails etc is done hourly. What assurance does
the Council have that this is taking place.
|
Regular meetings being
undertaken with the contractor, Powys staff are on site. It is
Potters' risk assessment and they have their own Health and Safety
Manager who ensures this is happening. This is being monitored
closely and staff are aware of the requirements.
|
Is there any reporting
framework to the Council from Potters to assure us that this is
being done as its not only a risk to staff but also the Powys
population.
|
Potters do report back to the
Council and we do have staff on site, but there is no guarantee
that this is happening.
|
The high risk is mitigated to
medium based on the control measures. It does not seem that there
are any guarantees that this is being done. There is no reporting
framework. Why has this not been put in place.
|
It is the responsible
contractor's role to put these measures in place. The Committees
concerns will be raised with the contractor.
|
We were assured that this is
the case, but this is not in place and not written into the
agreement. It would be expected that the Council would have put a
system in place so that there are regular reports to the Council to
ensure this is being done.
|
The Corporate Director –
Environment and Economy suggested that the Senior Manager -
Waste & Recycling Services discuss with the contractor at the
forthcoming meeting whether a system of recording and feeding back
to the Council can be put in ...
view the full minutes text for item 4.2
|
|
5. |
Scrutiny Work Programme
The next meetings of the Committee will be
held as follows:
18/06/2020
|
15.00 – 16.00
|
02/07/2020
|
14.00 – 15.00
|
16/07/2020
|
14.00 – 15.00
|
30/07/2020
|
14.00 – 15.00
|
Potential items for consideration:
·
Regulatory Services
·
Support for Businesses
·
Contact Tracing
·
Grass Cutting
Update Information arising from previous
meeting:
·
Valuation Service – valuation of new businesses
·
Emergency Childcare Transport – Supply of hand sanitiser and
PPE – resolved?
Minutes:
The
Committee noted that the next meetings of the Committee would be
held as follows:
18/06/2020
|
15.00 – 16.00
|
02/07/2020
|
14.00 – 15.00
|
16/07/2020
|
14.00 – 15.00
|
30/07/2020
|
14.00 – 15.00
|
Potential items for consideration:
·
Regulatory Services
·
Support for Businesses
·
Contact Tracing
·
Grass Cutting
·
Library Reopening
·
Increase in places for people to walk safely, cycle
lanes, pedestrianisation of towns. This is part of enhanced active
travel arrangements.
Update Information arising from previous meeting:
·
Valuation Service – valuation of new
businesses – carry forward
·
Emergency Childcare Transport – Supply of hand
sanitiser and PPE – this has been resolved and can be
closed.
At last Group Leader's Meeting it was noted
that the Strategy document for the Mid Wales Growth Deal had been
submitted to Welsh and UK Governments. Members have not seen a copy
of this document. Therefore, could this be circulated to Members.
Discussion are also ongoing with Ceredigion County Council
regarding the joint scrutiny of the Mid Wales Growth Deal.
Outcomes:
Action
|
Action By / Completion Date
|
That
Emergency Childcare Transport be removed from the list of updates
required.
|
WR
|
That
a copy of the Mid Wales Growth Deal Strategy document be circulated
to the Committee
|
WR /
NB
|
That
the next meeting consider Library
Reopening and Grass Cutting
|
WR
|
|