Agenda and minutes

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting. The following declarations were made:

·        Councillor Barbara Parry made a personal, non-prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of agenda item 5 (Consideration of Cabinet Decisions) as she is employed at The Ridgeway School (part of the White Horse Federation).

·        Councillor Kevin Parry made a personal, non-prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of agenda item 6 (Cabinet Member Question and Answer Session - Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety) as he is the owner of a rented property.

·      Councillor Barbara Parry made a personal, non-prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of agenda item 6 (Cabinet Member Question and Answer Session - Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety) as she is the owner of a rented property.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th August 2020.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th August 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Please refer to the guidance below.  

There were no questions submitted under this item.

The Committee considered a report introducing decisions arising from the Cabinet meeting held on 9^th September 2020.

Minute 17. Swindon Borough Council Covid-19 Recovery Update

Councillors David Renard (Leader of the Council) and Rob Jandy (Cabinet Member for Organisational Excellence), responded to questions put by Councillors Emma Bushell,Jim Grant, Jane Milner-Barry,Barbara Parry and Rahul Tararon the following matters:

·         The differing Covid league tables being published in the media, with the national watch list being the one used by Government to determine what measures are needed in a given area, and Swindon’s position on those tables.

·         The analysis undertaken on the economic recovery from the Covid crisis by Centre for Cities, which has identified that Swindon is a robust place compared to others in the area. 

·         The Leader’s challenge to the Centre for Cities report in January 2020 regarding air quality in Swindon, the details of which will be circulated to members of the Committee subsequent to the meeting.

·         Covid testing capacity issues and its potential impact on the accuracy of case rate figures within Swindon.

·         The plans for maximising local media opportunities, as well as national communications to parents, regarding Covid symptoms of children at school and guidance on what to do.

·         That potential savings from officers working at home have not been calculated.

·         The engagement with staff during lockdown which has included: a staff survey around two or three weeks in to lockdown regarding mental health; a risk assessment questionnaire around eight weeks ago regarding working from home, mental health, and any equipment needs; a ‘Click and Collect’ service for Display Screen Equipment, and; a survey that will be going out this week regarding working from home and looking at a hybrid model of office space in the future.

·         How the £930k allocated by Government to the Council for supporting the implementation of the Local Outbreak Management Plan has been allocated and spent.

·         The latest status with regards to booking Covid tests in Swindon, which is being impacted by national testing capacity issues, and the issues residents are experiencing such as IT glitches and being referred to testing centres outside a reasonable travelling distance. The Committee noted that a new testing site will be coming online this week in Swindon which will provide additional capacity.

·         How the laboratory testing is a national programme delivered at a local level with the Council having little influence over the ability to increase capacity. Concerns are, however, fed into regional and national chains.

·         The communications in place, such as the Council’s media feeds and the ‘Your Swindon Newsletter’, which provide regular updates to residents on these matters.

·         The work being done with bus companies to reinforce public safety messages and requirements. The Committee noted that a driver would be entitled to tell passengers to wear a mask but has no enforcement ability.

Resolved – (1) That Minute 17 of the Cabinet be noted.

(2) That information requested by members during the course of the Committee’s consideration of this item  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Councillor Cathy Martyn (Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety) was in attendance and presented to the Committee a report summarising progress and performance in respect of the key objectives of her role, which are to:

·         Provide the strategic direction for the management of all aspects of the Council’s social housing.

·         Provide strategic direction to reduce and prevent homelessness where possible.

·         Promote partnership engagement to address rough sleeping.

·         Provide strategic leadership to promote safe public areas.

·         Set the strategic vision for the Borough’s continuing social development.

·         To work with other Cabinet Members to Manage Demand within the portfolio.

·         Ensure that the Council's agreed priorities within the portfolio are delivered.

The Cabinet Member is responsible for securing the following Vision Pledge:

• Pledge 26: To prevent homelessness where possible using additional measures including the temporary winter housing provision and enabling a day centre to prevent rough sleepers from returning to the streets.

The Cabinet Member also has delegated responsibility for:

·         Allocations and Advice Services

·         Empty Homes

·         Estate and Tenancy Management

·         Housing Enabling and Strategic Services

·         Homeline Services

·         Homelessness

·         Housing Right to Buy/Sales Services

·         Neighbourhood Wardens

·         Private Sector Housing Renovation Grants

·         Sheltered Accommodation

·         Environmental and Public Protection Services Gypsies, Travellers and Unauthorised Encampments

·         Reducing Drugs, Alcohol and Substance misuse

·         Control Room Operations

·         Reducing anti-social behaviour

·         Reducing domestic abuse

·         Community Safety Partnership

·         Licensing

·         Trading Standards

·         Environmental Health

·         Parishes

Councillor Martyn responded to questions put by Councillors Emma Bushell,Paul Dixon, Jim Grant, Jane Milner-Barry,Kevin Parry and the Chair on the following matters:

·         The current number of residents on the waiting list for a council property, the details of which are to be circulated to members subsequent to the meeting.

·         The impact on demand for social housing as a result of the financial fallout from Covid and the forthcoming end of the moratorium on private sector evictions and whether the Council’s development programme of 300 affordable new homes will adequately meet any increased need. 

·         The expected introduction of Covid Enforcement Marshals and the similar work already being undertaken by Public Health Officers in conjunction with Environmental Health and Police colleagues. The Committee noted that it is unlikely the Marshals will have enforcement powers, that extra funding will not be provided for local authorities to employ them, and that further guidance is awaited from Government.

·         The cohort of clients that have been booking and using The Haven via the appointments system, the details of which will be circulated to members of the Committee subsequent to the meeting.

·         The predicted number of residents (both private and public sector) who are at risk of homelessness when the Government extension to Section 21 is lifted after 20 September 2020, and what the Council is doing to manage and help those in rent arrears and other financial difficulties. 

·         The support provided by the Housing Team to those who have recently contacted the Council in relation to their potential eviction, or ongoing problems they are having with paying their rent and requesting additional support. The Committee noted that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Legal Officer setting out the topics for inclusion in the 2020/2021 Scrutiny Work Programme, as agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 7^th July 2020, and updated during the course of the Municipal Year.

The Committee received an updated report advising on the status of outstanding issues and member requests for information.

Resolved – That the report on the status of outstanding issues and member requests for information be noted.