Agenda for Neighbourhoods, Communities and Equalities Committee on Monday, 13th March, 2017, 4.00pm
navigation and tools
Find it
You are here - Home : Council and Democracy : Councillors and Committees : Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
PDF 2 MBVenue: Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton. View directions
Contact: Penny Jennings Democratic Services Officer
Media
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Procedural Business (a) Declarations of Substitutes: Where councillors are unable to attend a meeting, a substitute Member from the same political group may attend, speak and vote in their place for that meeting.
(b) Declarations of Interest:
(a) Disclosable pecuniary interests; (b) Any other interests required to be registered under the local code; (c) Any other general interest as a result of which a decision on the matter might reasonably be regarded as affecting you or a partner more than a majority of other people or businesses in the ward/s affected by the decision.
In each case, you need to declare (i) the item on the agenda the interest relates to; (ii) the nature of the interest; and (iii) whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest or some other interest.
If unsure, Members should seek advice from the committee lawyer or administrator preferably before the meeting.
(c) Exclusion of Press and Public: To consider whether, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting when any of the following items are under consideration.
Note: Any item appearing in Part Two of the agenda states in its heading the category under which the information disclosed in the report is exempt from disclosure and therefore not available to the press and public.
A list and description of the exempt categories is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls and on-line in the Constitution at part 7.1.
Additional documents: Minutes: (a) Declarations of Substitutes
52.1 Councillors Druitt and Penn declared that they were attending as substitutes for Councillors Gibson and Horan respectively.
52.2 Jane Lodge declared that she was attending the meeting in place of John Child.
52.3 Prior to seeking declarations of interest, the Chair drew the Committees attention to the fact that the meeting was being signed for the first time as there were items on the agenda that were of interest to local deaf people who were also in attendance.
(b) Declarations of Interest
52.4 There were no declarations of interest in the items appearing on the agenda.
(c) Exclusion of the Press and Public
52.5 In accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”), the Committee considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any items of business on the grounds that it is likely in view of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present during it, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act.
52.6 RESOLVED: That the press and public be not excluded during consideration of any item of business on the agenda. |
|
|
To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2017 (copy attached). Additional documents: Minutes: 53.1 Councillor Simson referred to paragraphs 49.7, 49.8 and 49.9 and noted that it had been agreed to provide her with an update on those points, however she was still awaiting the information.
53.2 The Chair noted that the information was still awaited and asked that this be provided as soon as possible.
53.3 RESOLVED: That the minutes of the last meeting held on the 23rd January 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record of the proceedings. |
|
|
Presentation - Routes Before proceeding to the formal business of the meeting there will be a presentation by Jane Ross, Community Works.
Routes offers free, one-to-one personalised support to help people on their journey into employment. Project services include intensive internship placements, community learning opportunities and employability focused information and advice. Routes is led by Community Works in collaboration with four delivery partners: The Hangleton & Knoll Project, Whitehawk Inn, The Bridge, Workers’ Educational Association.
Additional documents: Minutes: 54.1 The Chair welcomed Jane Ross from Community Works, who had been invited to attend the meeting and give a presentation on the project of ‘Routes’ which offered free one-to-one personalised support to help people on their journey into employment.
54.2 Jane Ross thanked the Chair and welcomed the opportunity to attend the meeting and outlined the role of Routes and how the project supported people in the community to be able to find employment. She explained that the project was led by Community Works in collaboration with four delivery partners, The Hangleton & Knoll Project, Whitehawk Inn, The Bridge, and Workers’ Educational Association. It provided intensive internship placements, community learning opportunities and employability focussed information and advice.
54.3 Members of the Committee thanked Jane Ross for her informative presentation and asked what they could do to help the project which they felt was providing important and necessary support to people across the city.
54.4 Ms. Ross stated that it was important to spread the word about the project and to encourage organisations to provide support such as placements, internships and time to nurture those people who were involved. There was also a need for additional funding in order to support those people that were currently going through the project and for future years.
54.5 The Chair thanked Jane Ross for her presentation and for attending the meeting. |
|
|
Chairs Communications Additional documents: Minutes: 55.1 The Chair welcomed everyone to the final meeting of the committee for the current municipal year. She stated that it had been great to see the range of activities happening for International Women’s Day and noted that there was still an opportunity to participate in, what should be an incredible event, the first gathering of the international women’s network for Brighton and Hove. The network would be offering professional mentoring, training, cultural and employment connections as well as support to women in order that they, their friends and families could make the most of the opportunities that were on offer in the city. It was meeting from 12.00 - 2.30 pm, on the 21st March 2017 at Sini Turkish restaurant Hove Street.
55.2 The Chair stated that our great equality work continued to influence and get acknowledgment far and wide, and noted that very recently our actions on increasing equality and inclusion for Trans people – trans swimming sessions, gender neutral toilets, was noted in the Human Rights and Gender Identify best practice catalogue, produced by Transgender Europe, which was recognised as the legitimate voice for trans community in Europe.
55.3 She was pleased to inform the meeting that in partnership the council, CCG and Community Works were holding an event on Social Value as part of a national programme of events lead by Social Enterprise UK on Wednesday 22nd March 9.30 – 1pm at the Brighthelm Centre.
55.4 The Chair then reported that the city council had been successful in securing additional funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government. The funding was for 12-15 months and would complement the city’s existing investment in refuge provision. It included working with East Sussex County Council to pilot new ways of working with victim/survivors of domestic violence with complex needs in refuge.
55.5 Finally, the Chair stated that the Community Works spring conference was taking place on Thursday 16th also at the Brighthelm. The theme was empowerment and would be looking at how organisations can ensure they and their services are empowering for service users, staff and volunteers. Lessons all organisations can learn. In the meantime she was looking forward to seeing everyone again at the committee’s first meeting in the new civic year which she believed would be early July. |
|
|
Call Over (a) Items (59 – 64) will be read out at the meeting and Members invited to reserve the items for consideration.
(b) Those items not reserved will be taken as having been received and the reports’ recommendations agreed. Additional documents: Minutes: 56.1 The Head of Democratic Services confirmed that all of the following items on the agenda had been reserved for discussion:
Item 59 - Fairness Commission Recommendation: BDA Charter for British Sign Language; Item 60 - Food Poverty Action Plan Progress Update; Item 61 - Brighton & Hove Pride Item 62 - Establishment of Brighton and Hove Community Fund Item 63 - Community Safety Strategy Consultation Item 64 - Independent Visitors |
|
|
To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:
(a) Petitions: To receive any petitions presented by members of the public to the full Council or at the meeting itself.
(b) Written Questions: To receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 6th March 2017.
(c) Deputations: To receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 6th March 2017.
Additional documents: Minutes: 57.1 The Chair noted that no written questions had been submitted from Members of the public and that there were no petitions to be presented at the meeting. However, there was one deputation that had been included in the addendum papers and she had also agreed to accept two further deputations from the deaf community for the present meeting.
57.2 The Chair then invited Ms. C. Glasson as the spokesperson for the deputation concerning Surrey Street to come forward and outline the deputation.
57.3 Ms. Glasson thanked the Chair and stated that since the Brighton Station Gateway Development residents of Surrey Street had found that their lives had become a nightmare. The street was used by taxi drivers waiting for the evening and late night trains, and had led to engines being left running, radios blaring out and hooting of car horns when traffic is unable to pass. There had also been incidents of racial and verbal abuse encountered by residents when they had challenged taxi drivers about the noise and disturbances being caused; which included taxi drivers fighting amongst themselves.
57.4 She was hoping that the committee would enable a way forward to be found so that the residents’ lives were improved and children and others could safely cross the road. There had been no consultation and yet there were now 3 bus stops along the road and buses having to come up onto the pavement in order to get passed the waiting taxis. The area was becoming a bottleneck for traffic and creating stress and anxiety for the residents as well as affecting their health and wellbeing.
57.5 The Chair thanked Ms. Glasson for attending the meeting and acknowledged the concerns raised in the deputation which cut across a number of areas of the council. She therefore suggested that it would be helpful for residents to record the numbers of the taxis causing difficulties and to report them to the Licensing team. In the meantime she would raise the matter with the team and ask that officers discuss the matter at the next taxi forum and see if some action can be taken.
57.6 The Chair stated that she would share the information presented with the Police to see if they could consider taking any action e.g. direct PCSO patrols along Surrey Street. She would also raise the matter of traffic congestion and the need for a crossing with the Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee and ask that she take the matter up with the relevant officers.
57.7 The Chair then proposed that the deputation should be noted.
57.8 RESOLVED: That the deputation be noted.
57.9 The Chair then invited Mr. Darren Jenson, Director of Surdi to address the Committee in relation to the BSL Charter for British Sign Language.
57.10 Mr. Jenson stated that he had wanted to put on record the importance of the Charter which brought equality for deaf people and meant that they would be recognised. There were lots of projects in the city which deaf people did not have access to and this should now mean that they were considered and able to take advantage of these such as the one mentioned in the earlier presentation.
57.11 The Chair noted the information and called on Ayesha Denny a pupil at Hamilton Lodge School to come forward and address the Committee.
57.12 Ayesha Denny stated that as a pupil she hoped that she could be treated the same as others and asked the committee to support the BSL Charter and to encourage others to recognise that deaf people were willing and able to take part in learning & development opportunities and just needed the chance to do so.
57.13 The Chair thanked both presenters for attending the meeting the meeting and highlighting the situation for deaf people and proposed that the deputations be noted.
57.14 RESOLVED: That the deputations be noted. |
|
|
Member Involvement To consider the following matters raised by Members:
(a) Petitions: To receive any petitions referred from Full Council or submitted directly to the Committee;
(b) Written Questions: To consider any written questions;
(c) Letters: To consider any letters;
(d) Notices of Motion: to consider any Notices of Motion referred from Full Council or submitted directly to the Committee.
Additional documents: Minutes: 58.1 The Chair noted that there were no matters to be raised under the item. |
|
|
Fairness Commission Recommendation: BDA Charter for British Sign Language
Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision: 59.1 RESOLVED:
(1) That the committee on behalf of the council, sign up to the BSL Charter, pledges 2, 3 and 5 and work with the British Deaf Association and local Deaf and BSL groups towards fulfilling the requirements of pledges 1 and 4 as outlined in appendix 1 to the report;
(2) That a report be brought back to the Committee in 12 months updating the position in regard to the progress made on meeting the pledges and detailing what support services there are for hearing children with deaf parents. Minutes: 59.1 The Head of Communities & Equalities introduced the report which detailed the outcome of a review of current practice by the council against the five pledges of the British Deaf Association (BDA) Charter; and the recommendations of the Fairness Commission. She noted that a Members Working Group which had been part of the review process had identified the need to sign up to the British Sign Language Charter (BSL) and drew the committee’s attention to a clarification to the report’s recommendation and financial implications as a result of changes to the BSL Charter detailed in the addendum papers.
59.2 The Head of Communities & Equalities stated that the intention was to sign-up to a number of the pledges and work to improve the council’s position in relation to the other pledges before signing-up t them.
59.3 Members of the Committee welcomed the report and noted the intention to sign-up to pledges 2, 3 and 5 whilst working towards a position to be able to sign-up to pledges 1 and 4 in the future. It was felt that there should be recognition of how the council would work towards meeting pledges 1 and 4 and Councillor Moonan moved an amendment to the recommendation so that this was made clear.
59.4 Councillor Druitt formally seconded the amendment.
59.5 Councillor Simson queried whether where a hearing child was born to deaf parents; it was difficult to find services to support that child and whether any changes had been made.
59.6 The Chair noted that it was not possible to clarify the position at the meeting but asked that officers investigate the situation and suggested that an update report be brought back to the committee in due course on the pledges and the matter raised b Councillor Simson.
59.7 The Chair noted that an amendment to the recommendation had been made and put the revised recommendations to the vote which were carried.
59.8 RESOLVED:
(1) That the committee on behalf of the council, sign up to the BSL Charter, pledges 2, 3 and 5 and work with the British Deaf Association and local Deaf and BSL groups towards fulfilling the requirements of pledges 1 and 4 as outlined in appendix 1 to the report;
(2) That a report be brought back to the Committee in 12 months updating the position in regard to the progress made on meeting the pledges and detailing what support services there are for hearing children with deaf parents. |
|
|
Food poverty action plan progress update
Report of the Executive Director for Health & Adult Social Care (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision: 60.1 RESOLVED:
(1) That the report be welcomed and the progress made by all partners in delivering the Food Poverty Action Plan be noted;
(2) That officers be instructed to bring back a report at the end of action plan period highlighting successes, learning and proposals for next steps; and
(3) That in regard to the Action Plan, the ASC & CCG actions in Aim 2C around building nutrition and hydration into care assessments, creating innovative ways to allow people to eat together by combining Adult Social Care (ASC) care packages, ensuring that food issues are considered in Home Care Commissioning Process, developing a trigger mechanism when a meal service for vulnerable people is under threat; and how social enterprise model Community Meals/ Meals on Wheels delivery could be stimulated be referred to the Health & Wellbeing Board for consideration. Minutes: 60.1 The Chair welcomed Becky Woodiwiss and Emily O’Brien to the meeting and invited them to introduce the report.
60.2 Becky Woodiwiss stated that a report had been brought to the committee in November and this was an update on the progress made to implement the citywide Food Poverty Action Plan.
60.3 Emily O’Brien stated that a great deal of good work in developing and implementing the Food Action Plan, which had been recognised at a national level and she had been invited to speak to the Welsh Assembly on setting up Food Action Plans. She then outlined various aspects of the Plan and not that there were still significant challenges to be addressed including 1 in 5 people in the city were struggling to meet household costs, 1 in 5 council tenants regularly reduced meal sizes or skipped a meal and 2 in 5 felt that they ate less healthily than they could. There was a higher level of food poverty amongst young people and a third of people in the City Tracker survey indicated that disabled people felt insecure about food poverty. She also noted that there was a fear of food prices increasing as a result of Brexit.
60.4 Emily O’Brien stated that the council was involved in over half of the actions that had been identified in the Plan and its partnership was welcomed as it meant that there was a collective approach to the problem. She noted that the Partnership was working with schools to support children and maintain the success of CHOMP.
60.5 The Chair thanked both Becky and Emily for attending and providing the update on the action plan.
60.6 Members of the Committee welcomed the report and queried whether there were any areas where more support or action was required and whether the local discretionary fund was fully utilised. The need for sign-posting to advice and support for people with mental health was also raised as well as the role of home care and support workers in regard to providing information about nutrition.
60.7 Emily O’Brien stated that there was a need to look at hospital discharges and whether people were eating properly and had access to healthy food. It may be that the situation had been recognised but it would help to have stronger links with Adult Social Care so that information could be shared and updated. In regard to the local discretionary fund she was unsure if it was fully used. She stated that the Action Plan was only half way through and more could be done if resources were available e.g. she wanted to develop a food tip sheet for specific groups of people and noted that home visits were not really long enough to enable people to provide information and help in terms of eating healthily. Perhaps it would be possible to combine care packages so that people leaving hospital could be seen together thereby having a 45mins tine period, in which they could be seen and eat together.
60.8 The Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing stated that she would ensure an update on the local discretionary fund was sent to all Members of the Committee.
60.9 Councillor Littman stated that it was an important report and proposed that the recommendations be amended to include that proposals for next steps are included in the next report to committee.
60.10 The Chair welcomed the amendment and formally seconded it. She also suggested that the matter of adult care should be referred to the Health & Wellbeing Board for further consideration.
60.11 Councillor K. Norman welcomed the proposal to refer the issue to the Health & Wellbeing Board and formally seconded the Chair’s amendment.
60.12 The Chair noted that the recommendations had been amended and put them to the vote which was carried.
60.13 RESOLVED:
(1) That the report be welcomed and the progress made by all partners in delivering the Food Poverty Action Plan be noted;
(2) That officers be instructed to bring back a report at the end of action plan period highlighting successes, learning and proposals for next steps; and
(3) That in regard to the Action Plan, the ASC & CCG actions in Aim 2C around building nutrition and hydration into care assessments, creating innovative ways to allow people to eat together by combining Adult Social Care (ASC) care packages, ensuring that food issues are considered in Home Care Commissioning Process, developing a trigger mechanism when a meal service for vulnerable people is under threat; and how social enterprise model Community Meals/ Meals on Wheels delivery could be stimulated be referred to the Health & Wellbeing Board for consideration. |
|
|
Brighton & Hove Pride Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision: 61.1 RESOLVED:
(1) That the Committee reaffirms its support for Pride CIC and acknowledges the benefits of working to deliver a successful and safe Pride, especially the social and economic benefit Pride creates for the city and specifically for LGBT people and LGBT community and voluntary sector organisations;
(2) That the Committee reaffirms its support of BHCC officer time and capacity to work in partnership with and support Pride CIC to make Pride a successful and safe event. The committee recognises the benefits of officers working with and encouraging local businesses to join the official Pride programme to maximise the benefit to the local community; and
(3) That the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing, as the senior lead officer for the BHCC on pride, be instructed to convene a strategic city group, to meet as frequently as required in the lead up to the event, to provide oversight of the impact of the Pride weekend on the city. Minutes: 61.1 The Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing introduced the report which outlined the Council’s commitment to work in partnership with Pride CIC to ensure delivery of safe and inclusive events in the city both on the Pride weekend and in the run up to it.
61.2 The Chair welcomed the report and noted that Pride was a BSL accessible event and stated that it was important to work in partnership so enable Pride CIC to undertake its work.
61.3 Members of the Committee welcomed the report and stated the importance of supporting the event and noted the priority given to this year’s event for the role of service and ex-service people in the LGBT community.
61.4 The Chair noted the comments and put the recommendations to the vote which were carried.
61.5 RESOLVED:
(1) That the Committee reaffirms its support for Pride CIC and acknowledges the benefits of working to deliver a successful and safe Pride, especially the social and economic benefit Pride creates for the city and specifically for LGBT people and LGBT community and voluntary sector organisations;
(2) That the Committee reaffirms its support of BHCC officer time and capacity to work in partnership with and support Pride CIC to make Pride a successful and safe event. The committee recognises the benefits of officers working with and encouraging local businesses to join the official Pride programme to maximise the benefit to the local community; and
(3) That the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing, as the senior lead officer for the BHCC on pride, be instructed to convene a strategic city group, to meet as frequently as required in the lead up to the event, to provide oversight of the impact of the Pride weekend on the city. |
|
|
Establishment of Brighton and Hove Community Fund
Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision: 62.1 RESOLVED:
(1) That Policy, Resources & Growth (PRG) Committee be recommended to approve the closure of the trusts and the transfer of the endowments listed in appendix 1 of the report to Sussex Community Foundation for the purpose of establishing the Brighton and Hove Community Fund as outlined in the report; and
(2) That delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing to take all steps necessary to action and complete the transfer. Minutes: 62.1 The Head of Communities & Equality introduced the report which detailed changes to the delivery of the Third Sector Investment Programme and proposals to transfer council held dormant and under-utilised endowment funds to Sussex Community Foundation to form a Brighton and Hove Community Fund (B&HCF). She stated that discussions had been held with the community and voluntary sector, the Members Advisory Group, CCG colleagues and the Charity Commission. It was intended that the BHCF would be established as an umbrella fund in order that additional objectives may be created as additional donors/funding were secured. The fund would then make grants under the following two objectives:
(i) Awards to community and voluntary organisations supporting children and young people across Brighton and Hove; and (ii) Awards to support aims and objectives of libraries.
62.2 The Head of Communities & Equality also confirmed that the BHCF would at all times and under all circumstances, be used exclusively for the benefit of the community in Brighton and Hove.
62.3 The Chief Executive Officer of Sussex Community Foundation (SCF) informed the committee that the Foundation had been established for 11 years and had an excellent record of managing portfolios and securing additional investments that could then be used to support the aims of the BHCF. He also noted that SCF already supported a number of community groups and voluntary organisations in the city and that the BCHF grants and any additional funds secured for the fund would be used in conjunction with those already allocated to the city by SCF and not as an alternative source of funding.
62.4 Councillor Simson stated that as a member of the Members Advisory Group she had been involved in the process and fully supported the recommendations. However, she felt that there should be some Member oversight and asked if this would be possible.
62.5 Councillor Littman stated that he echoed Councillor Simson’s comments and fully supported the proposed approach.
62.6 Councillor Bell referred to paragraph 4.3 of the report and appendix 1 and sought clarification in regard to the transfer of the funds and the maintenance of the first three funds listed in the appendix.
62.7 The Head of Communities & Equality stated that it was intended for all the funds listed to be transferred across to the BHCF but that the aims of those funds would be maintained although they would be updated to reflect the objectives of the BCHF. She apologised for any confusion and stated that she would ensure this was made clearer in time for the PR&G Committee meeting.
62.8 Councillor Druitt stated that the report was an example of a fantastic piece of work which would result in the use of resources for the benefit of those in the city. However, with the closure of the various funds he wondered if anything was being done to acknowledge the aims and objectives of those funds.
62.9 The CEO of Sussex Community Foundation stated it was intended to retain a record of the donors and legacies as part of SCF’s history and for reference purposes. He also stated that he was happy for the Council to have representation on the decision-making panel for the award of funds and would welcome Member involvement.
62.10 The Chair thanked the representatives from Sussex Community Foundation for attending the meeting and officers for their work in bringing the report to the committee. She hoped that the PR&G Committee would support the recommendations and that officers could then reach an agreement with SCF on the make-up of the decision-making panel and asked that the committee members be updated accordingly.
62.11 RESOLVED:
(1) That Policy, Resources & Growth (PRG) Committee be recommended to approve the closure of the trusts and the transfer of the endowments listed in appendix 1 of the report to Sussex Community Foundation for the purpose of establishing the Brighton and Hove Community Fund as outlined in the report; and
(2) That delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing to take all steps necessary to action and complete the transfer. |
|
|
Community Safety Strategy Consultation
Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision: 63.1 RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND: That subject to no significant negative comments arising from the consultation process, the Committee recommends to the Council that the Community Safety Strategy be approved. Minutes: 63.1 The Head of Community Safety introduced the report which detailed the draft Community Safety Strategy for 2017-20 and sought comments on the strategy and priority areas. He noted that the priorities selected had been chosen where they could make the most impact and covered:
· anti-social behaviour, · safety in the night-time economy · domestic violence and abuse, sexual violence and other forms of violence against women and girls · reducing offending · community collaboration and resilience · preventing terrorism and extremism
63.2 The Head of Community Safety stated that an action plan would be drafted and taken to the Safe in the City Partnership Board. He also noted that it was necessary to amend the recommendation to take account of the need for the strategy to be approved by full Council.
63.3 Councillor Moonan welcomed the report and sated that it had a number of synergies with the Rough Sleepers Strategy and asked whether the committee would be given the opportunity to see the Action Plan.
63.4 The Head of Community Safety stated that the Action Plans tended to be very detailed and as such he would hesitate bringing them to the committee, however he could provide Programme reports in the future.
63.5 The Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing stated that if there was an area of concern, it could be included in the Programme Report and more detail provided within the report in regard to that specific area.
63.6 Councillor Littman referred to the information on crime figures detailed on page 152 of the agenda and noted that there had been an increase which could be related to the issues of austerity and Brexit.
63.7 The Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing acknowledged there had been a spike in the figures around the period of the referendum; however there was no evidence that it would continue as the process for Brexit went forward.
63.8 Councillor Simson referred to page 167 of the agenda and noted that there was an emphasis in dealing with alcohol related issues for the night-time economy and queried whether a similar emphasis should be placed in the impact of drugs.
63.9 The Head of Community Safety stated that officers and partner organisations were aware of the use of drugs being an issue for the city, but evidence showed that the majority of violent incidents related to alcohol.
63.10 Anusree Biswas Sasidharan referred to page 174 of the agenda and noted that Local Action Teams (LATs) were referenced as a sector to work with and sought assurance that community groups would also be consulted and supported.
63.11 The Head of Community Safety stated that it was intended to consult and work with all interested community groups.
63.12 Councillor Penn noted that there was an increase in hate crime on-line and that it appeared to be an area where victims felt less support was available and it was more difficult to address. She queried whether this would be given greater consideration.
63.13 The Head of Community Safety stated that the issue had been considered and it was felt that it was a difficult area to deal with. However, if any incidents were reported then they would be looked into and appropriate action taken.
63.14 Councillor Hill noted that the consultation on the proposed community safety strategy was due to end on the 19th March and asked if the analysis of the consultation could be shared with Committee Members prior to the final version going to the full Council.
63.15 The Head of Community Safety sated that the strategy was due to be published on the 1st April and copies of the analysis could be provided to the committee Members.
63.16 RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND: That subject to no significant negative comments arising from the consultation process, the Committee recommends to the Council that the Community Safety Strategy be approved. |
|
|
Independent Visitors Report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services (copy to follow). Additional documents: Decision: 64.1 RESOLVED:
(1) That it be noted that the Independent Visiting Service was currently unable to meet the needs of providing an Independent Visitor for each child in care who would like one; but that performance in Brighton & Hove was significantly better than the reported performance nationally; and
(2) That the Directorate be asked to explore ways of increasing the overall capacity of the service to extend provision to more children in care. Minutes: 64.1 The Chair noted that she had accepted a late paper for the meeting which could not be finalised in time for publication with the agenda papers and invited the Assistant Director of Children’s Safeguarding & Care to introduce the report.
64.2 The Assistant Director of Children’s Safeguarding & Care thanked the Chair and stated that the report provided an update on the Independent Visiting Service that was managed within the Families, Children & Learning directorate. The council had a good record for providing independent visitors but noted that it was a significant commitment for those people. She also noted that currently there was a demand for ten independent visitors and that it was hoped to extend that provision should it be necessary to do so.
64.3 Members of the Committee welcomed the report and noted that it was an important service which made a difference to young people’s lives. They also noted that all councillors were effectively Corporate Parents and should therefore be mindful of their own roles and responsibilities.
64.4 The Chair thanked Members for their comments and put the recommendations to the vote which were carried.
64.5 RESOLVED:
(1) That it be noted that the Independent Visiting Service was currently unable to meet the needs of providing an Independent Visitor for each child in care who would like one; but that performance in Brighton & Hove was significantly better than the reported performance nationally; and
(2) That the Directorate be asked to explore ways of increasing the overall capacity of the service to extend provision to more children in care. |
|
|
Items referred for Full Council To consider items to be submitted to the 6th April 2017 Council meeting for information.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 24.3a, the Committee may determine that any item is to be included in its report to Council. In addition, any Group may specify one further item to be included by notifying the Chief Executive no later than 10am on the eighth working day before the Council meeting at which the report is to be made, or if the Committee meeting take place after this deadline, immediately at the conclusion of the Committee meeting
Additional documents: Decision: 65.1 RESOLVED: That item No.63, Community Safety Strategy Consultation be referred to the full Council for approval at its meeting on the 6th April, 2017. Minutes: 65.1 RESOLVED: That item No.63, Community Safety Strategy Consultation be referred to the full Council for approval at its meeting on the 6th April, 2017. |