Agenda and draft minutes

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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 icon 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