Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 15 September 2020

The notes of the previous meeting held on 15 September were received.

To receive a briefing from the Head of Housing & Community Services on the Community response to the Lockdown

The Head of Housing & Community Services presented an update of the community response to the national lockdown. West Sussex County Council Hub & NHS Responders had established their offer of support and residents will go through a new triage process to assess which service they need. All 27 Hubs which were established in March are active again during this lockdown.

Internally, an online self-service checker had been added to the Council’s website. A contact centre had also been reinstated for residents to talk to someone on the phone and be linked with the appropriate level of support.

The Head of Housing & Community Services also gave an update on Homeless Services. Throughout the lockdown in March, all rough sleepers were housed and the majority moved into permanent accommodation. Therefore, numbers were much lower in this lockdown. New assessments relating to covid-19 had been considered to support rough sleepers into new accommodation, with turning tides continuing their outreach work alongside this. 

Allocations and Housing Associations had continued their usual work throughout the current lockdown. 

To receive a briefing from the Head of Environmental Health & Licensing

The Head of Environmental Health gave an update on the service’s business inspections. They were up to date with the back log which occurred due to covid-19 and are set to have all complete by end of the financial year subject to any further restrictions imposed on them by The Food Standard Agency.

The service’s Covid-19 safe project which included new Covid-19 marshals had been delayed due to the current lockdown. However, the service would be ready to resume as soon as the lockdown ends and begin proactively inspecting businesses and supporting them in re-opening.

The Head of Environmental Health presented the West Sussex Covid-19 weekly data.  Horsham district cases had been relatively stable when compared to other areas within West Sussex. There had been early signs that numbers are beginning to level off.

Comparisons between age groups, showed that 20-29 year olds were the group which were most frequently testing positive for Covid-19.

The governments Track & Trace system will now include a partnership between Public Health and local Districts and Boroughs. The council will play a supportive role and assist with track and trace to offer increased capacity.

To receive a briefing from the Head of Housing & Community Services

The Head of Housing & Community Services gave an update on a new development opportunity for Horsham District Homes. The council owns the site which currently has empty garages on, and it has previously had planning permission granted for a nursing home.

The current proposal for development would include 16 one and two bedroom properties for affordable rents. These property types are aligned with needs identified on the housing register.

As a result of feedback from the Local Members, plans will be drawn up for a number of disabled accessible properties on the lower floor instead of parking spaces.

To note the Forward Plan extract for the Community Matters and Wellbeing Portfolio

The Forward Plan extract was noted.