Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 4^th March 2019

The notes of the PDAG held on 4^th March were received.

To note the Forward Plan extract (if any) for the Community and Wellbeing Portfolio

The extract from the Forward Plan was noted. 

With reference to item 10 on the Forward Plan, it was stated that Rowan Way is in Billingshurst.

Presentation by the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing gave a presentation about Environmental Health.   He explained that the service area had a very broad remit.  He circulated a briefing document about the Environmental Health and Licensing Department and he outlined the different areas of responsibility and named the members of the team.  Councillors also took part in a brief quiz about what Environmental Health Officers do.  It was clarified that the Environmental Health team do license pleasure boats.

To be approved by the Cabinet Member for Community and Wellbeing.

One of the Principal Environmental Health Officers gave a presentation about food safety and health and safety and then took questions. 

The Cabinet Member for Community and Wellbeing approved the Food Safety and Health and Safety at Work Service Plan 2019/20.

A general introduction / overview will be given by the Head of Housing & Community Services

The Head of Housing and Community Services gave a presentation about his service area.  He explained that it involved:

·         operating the housing register and that there were 19 providers

·         management of 85 properties which provide temporary accommodation. 

·         homelessness prevention. 

·         working with other services including Turning Tides, Citizens Advice, Southdown Housing Association and IPEH in order to try to identify people at risk of homelessness as early as possible

·         rough sleeper outreach.  There were 4 staff members

·         private rental service.  There were 2 staff members

·         leasing property from Saxon Weald reduced the number of people in bed and breakfast accommodation.

There was a discussion around other ways the Council could identify people at risk of homelessness.

It was explained that the Council has obligations regarding cross county work on rough sleepers.  There are not the same people who are rough sleeping year on year. 

The Council have introduced a contactless donation initiative in Horsham town centre to aid homeless people.

Horsham District Council’s affordable housing provision has involved the delivery of affordable homes on new development sites.  There is a mixture of shared ownership and affordable rented housing.  This section also administer the allocation of the S106 affordable housing funds.  They provide grants for registered providers, administer the provision of new temporary housing and have set up affordable housing companies. 249 affordable homes were provided by Horsham District Council in 2017/18 and about 300 in 2018/19.  This was the highest in West Sussex.

Community Safety and Emergency Planning covers:

·         anti social behaviour

·         community wardens in 7 parishes

·         a community safety partnership

·         Junior Citizen – an annual event

·         Emergency planning and the provision of rest centres and business contingency which is ensuring council services continue to be delivered in the event of an evacuation.

·         Providing a safety advisory group

The Health and Wellbeing section:

·         provide 1 to 1 support for a range of health and wellbeing issues

·         falls prevention

·         alcohol awareness

·         pre-diabetes advice

·         physical activity advice and activities

·         weight loss advice and programmes

·         workplace health

·         wellbeing MOTs

·         highlighting services to promote healthy living

·         delivering a public health service for Horsham District

·         GPs refer people to Horsham District Council for advice

The Community Development section involves:

·         community partnerships

·         safeguarding

·         community transport

·         voluntary sector support

·         strategic grants and funding e.g. Homestart get grants from Horsham District Council

·         youth and older person’s service e.g. regarding dementia

·         social prescribing reducing pressure on GP’s surgeries

·         Horsham District Community Lottery

The Community Development Department as a whole would be undergoing a review.

There was a discussion around the fact that information must not just be available to people electronically.