Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2022 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for members.

Cllr Attewell declared that she was a Surrey County Councillor.

The Chair, or his nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 40.

At the time of publication of this agenda, no questions had been received.

There were none.

To consider any issues raised by ward councillors in accordance with Standing Order 34.2

At the time of publication of this agenda, no ward issues had been received.

There were none.

This report seeks to inform decision making on the Council’s participation in the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

The Committee considered a report from the Housing Strategy and Policy Manager which sought approval to participate in the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. The Committee were advised this scheme would extend on the previously approved Afghan Relocation Policy, and it was recommended that three households be pledged to the scheme if the Committee approved participation, increasing the total combined pledge to eight households. A financial package would be offered by the Home Office to authorities that would cover the cost of the scheme.

The Committee noted that the guidance for the scheme had been set by the Home Office. The Committee debated whether incentives should be provided to landlords to encourage them to take on refugees as tenants. It was explained the scheme would guarantee landlords market level rent for two years, after which the support would end. *The Chair suggested that Marta looked into further incentives for landlords to encourage them to take on refugees as tenants. [*Amended by Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee 17/01/2023] Funding would be paid directly to public sector partners involved in the scheme rather than being paid to the individuals themselves.

The Committee resolved that the Council should participate in the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and to pledge three households.

To consider a new model of governance that meets the requirements of place based timely health interventions.

The Committee considered a report from the Strategic Lead, Independent Living which sought approval to lead on expanding the Health and Wellbeing Board in response to new legislation. A new model of governance was needed that met requirements of place-based timely health interventions. The proposed structure and membership for the new board was outlined along with the desired outcomes and achievements.

Funding would be provided to the board to apply locally towards health interventions and initiatives, and this would be spread across organisations in the borough rather than focused in one area. The Committee explored the types of interventions that could be addressed with the funding.

The Committee resolved to recommend to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and Council

1)    To endorse the Council’s approach to expanding the Health and Wellbeing Board to take account of the new requirements under the Health and Care Act and the associated White Paper, Health and social care integration: joining up care for people, places and populations

2)    To rename the Health and Wellbeing Board the Spelthorne Healthy Communities Board, with an expanded terms of reference, a wider membership of community participants and increased ability to award financial and other assistance using ‘pooled budgets’ from Health, Adult Social Care and the Council

3)    To request devolved authority to this board, within strict spending limits, to utilise ‘pooled budgets’ to expedite community-based health initiatives. Initially using £50,000 of £132,000 awarded for prevention made by NWS Alliance.

To consider proposals for the Council’s response to the cost of living and energy crisis.

The Committee considered a report from the Strategic Lead for Independent Living which sought to expand provision of Spelthorne’s Community Centres for their members to ease at-home energy costs. He outlined the plan for the centres as well as the offers and activities that would be put in place for members.

The Committee recognised that with the rise of energy bills and the impact of inflation, opening community centres an extra day would be beneficial for those who utilised the provision. The Committee queried if further provisions could be made for members of community centres who could not leave their home, and it was explained that business partners could be approached for support. The Committee suggested that if there was a high demand, the provision as well as the need for transport could be reviewed in future.

The Committee resolved to

1)    To endorse the Council’s approach to temporarily expanding the Community Centre’s provision to take account of the impact of current cost of living and energy crisis on our communities

2)    To open at least one of our community centres for 6 days a week throughout the winter period, potentially from 1^st October 2022 to 1^st March 2023, utilising centre staff to provide the additional provision.

3)    Offer a warm meal and hot take home options at a subsidy during the winter period.

4)    Approve engagement cross departmentally to maximise resident options in relation to warm places, stay warm and energy efficiency support

5)    Approve engagement with external stakeholders to maximise response package.

This report seeks to update members of the Community Wellbeing & Housing Committee on the performance of the allocated capital projects against the approved budget, as at 30 June 2022.

The Committee received a capital monitoring report related to Community Wellbeing and Housing for quarter one of the financial year from the Deputy Chief Executive. The report was presented alongside the overarching Capital Monitoring report going to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee which provided context for the Committee’s capital expenditure. He explained the largest projected overspend related to the Oast House and a report on the rise in construction costs for the site would be presented to the Development Sub-Committee for consideration.

The Committee resolved to note the £14.7m projected overspend on capital expenditure for the Community Wellbeing & Housing Committee against its Capital Programme provision as at 30 June 2022 for the Council.

This report provides a summary of the Quarter 1 (Q1) for the financial year 2022/23 as at 30 June 2022.

The Committee received a revenue monitoring report related to Community Wellbeing and Housing for quarter one of the financial year from the Deputy Chief Executive. He highlighted favourable variances in the report as well as anticipated pressures due to inflation.

The Committee resolved to note the £208,200 projected underspend on revenue expenditure for the Community Wellbeing & Housing Committee against its budget as at 30 June 2022.

To receive a verbal update on the leisure centre development.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Strategic Lead of Leisure and Community Development on the Leisure Operator Procurement Project and the new Leisure Centre Project. Ground-breaking had taken place for the new Leisure Centre and the project was progressing. The tender for a Leisure Operator would go to market in October 2022 with an aim of approval by full Council in July 2023. The Committee queried the delay, and it was explained that soft-market testing had been done, and advice received indicated October would provide more opportunities to compare operators.

The Committee resolved to note the verbal update from the Strategic Lead of Leisure and Community Development on the Leisure Operator Procurement Project and the new Leisure Centre Project.

To consider the forward plan for committee business. There are currently no items on the forward plan of committee business.

The Committee acknowledged there were no items on the forward plan and suggested items for updates and review.

The Committee resolved to add the following items to the Forward Plan

1)    Review of the Winter Warmer Project

2)    Review of the Tenancy Strategy

3)    Review of Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee’s Policies and Strategies that Impact on Knowle Green Estates

4)    Update on the Housing Register

To move the exclusion of the public and press in order to discuss the next item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Paragraph 4 or Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

The service plans are exempt by virtue of them detailing potential changes to staffing structures, that are still subject to consultations or negotiations.

It was proposed by Councillor Rybinski, seconded by Councillor Bateson, and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following items, in accordance with paragraph 4 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider the draft service plans for the following services:

·         Housing Benefits

·         Housing Options

·         Independent Living

·         Leisure and Community Development

·         Family Support

The Family Support Service Plan, the Housing Benefits Service Plan, the Housing Options Service Plan, the Independent Living Service Plan, and the Leisure and Community Development Service Plan were presented to the Committee.

The Committee were invited to ask questions and provide feedback on the service plans.

The Committee resolved to note the Family Support Service Plan, the Housing Benefits Service Plan, the Housing Options Service Plan, the Independent Living Service Plan, and Leisure and Community Development Service Plan.