Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Democratic Services 01732 227247  Email: democratic.services@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

84.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 172 KB

To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 February 2022, as a correct record.

 

 

Minutes:

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 10 February 2022, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

85.

Declarations of interest

Any interests not already registered

Minutes:

There were none.

86.

Questions from Members (maximum 15 minutes)

Minutes:

There were none.

87.

Matters referred from Council, Audit Committee, Scrutiny Committee, CIL Spending Board or Cabinet Advisory Committees (if any)

Minutes:

There were none.

88.

LGA Peer Challenge - Final Report pdf icon PDF 132 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered the report which set out the outcome of the Council’s Corporate Peer Challenge, which was held between 29 November and 1 December 2021. The final report from the Peer Challenge Team was set out in Appendix A to the report with the 9 key recommendations. Overall the Peer team concluded that the Council was a well-led and an effectively managed authority with a strong track-record of effective delivery and innovation. This, was reflected in strong performance outcomes across a range of areas; excellent residents’ survey results; and a highly committed and talented workforce.

 

It was expected that the Council will develop an action plan in response to the findings and recommendations made in the final report and the action plan would be published within eight weeks of the report’s publication and following six months following the conclusion of the Peer Challenge, a check in will be organised with the LGA to provide an opportunity to update on progress made against the action plan and to discuss any further next steps.

 

Members discussed the report.

 

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Council that

 

a)     Member’s thanks to the LGA Peer Challenge Team for giving their time and expertise in undertaking the peer review of the Council, be noted; and

 

b)     the findings of the Peer Challenge and the nine recommendations set out in the report, be noted.

 

89.

Community Grant Scheme 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for People & Places presented the report which set out the Community Grant Scheme and summarised applications received by the Council from voluntary organisations for funding during 2022/23. The People & Places Advisory Committee had also considered the same report and suggested a review of the scheme and its guidelines going forward. The Committee supported the recommendation.

 

Members considered that the Council’s Community Grant Scheme supported local charities and voluntary sector organisations that, through their work, contributed to the priorities set out in the Community Plan. In 2021/22, the grants awarded through the Community Grant Scheme enabled voluntary organisations to support 80,377 volunteer hours in the Sevenoaks District, which represented an economic benefit of £1.53 million. The grants had not decreased from the previous year.

 

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

 

Resolved: That the Grants, as set out in Appendix C of the report be approved, subject to the conditions as set out in paragraph 12 of the report below:

 

·         That performance indicators as set out in the application forms are adhered to and monitored;

·         That appropriate Safeguarding policies and arrangements are in place, where necessary;

·         That appropriate recognition of this Council’s funding contribution is made in all their publicity; and

·         Where services are provided over a wider area than the District boundaries, organisations will be required to hold grant aid from this Council in a restricted fund for the benefit of Sevenoaks District residents;

·         That organisations funded either have or are working towards any quality accreditation.

 

90.

Voluntary Sector Barometer Survey pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for People & Places presented the report which updated Members on the results of the second barometer survey which tracked the impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary and community sector in the District. The People & Places Advisory Committee had considered the same report.

 

The Health and Communities Manager advised that there were similar themes from the May 2021 results remained prevalent, there seemed to be the need for the Voluntary Sector Forum to provide the sector with support in the following areas:

  • Improving the wellbeing of the sector’s leaders, staff and volunteers with training and events;
  • Recruitment and training for volunteers.
  • Disseminating fundraising and grant streams to the sector;
  • Encouraging more collaboration and partnership working;
  • Sharing information and support regarding compliance with restrictions and best practice for returning to some face-to-face interactions.

 

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

91.

Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership Strategy and Action Plan 2022- 23 pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for People & Places presented the report which outlined the 2022 – 23 Sevenoaks District Community Safety Strategy and Action Plan. The People & Places Advisory Committee had considered the same report.

 

The Health and Communities Manager advised that the plan responded to the community safety priorities identified in the mostrecent Strategic Assessment. The Strategic Assessment was undertaken in December 2021. The six priorities, as ranked in the Strategic Assessment, were:


·Serious and Acquisitive Crime including Crime Trends
·Anti-Social Behaviour including Environmental Crime & Rogue Trading
·Domestic Abuse
·Safeguarding (including Mental Health, Prevent, Human Trafficking,
Modern Slavery, CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation), Vulnerable Adults
and Protecting Children
·Violence against Women & Girls including Stalking & Harassment
·Drug Misuse & County Lines


All priorities included actions around public perception and reducing repeat
offenders/victims.


Members asked questions of clarification.


Public Sector Equality Duty
Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the
Public Sector Equality Duty.


Resolved: That the Community Safety Partnership Strategy & Action Plan for 2022-23, be approved.

92.

Citizens Advice Financial Split pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for People & Places presented the report which proposed to Cabinet certain changes to be made by Citizens Advice to the financial split between its two offices over the next three years.  This had been agreed in March 2021 but had been amended subsequently.

The Health & Communities Manager set out that the People & Places Advisory Committee had considered the same report.

Public Sector Equality Duty
Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.


Resolved: That new financialsplit as set out below be approved

 

 

General Advice

Housing Advice

Total

Edenbridge & Westerham

30%

 

£29,562

33 1/3rd %

£6,000

£35,562

North West Kent

70%

£68,978

66 2/3rd %

£12,000

£80,978

 

93.

Safeguarding Policy pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for People & Places presented the report which updated the Safeguarding Policy which reflected all changes in legislation and working practices. Members were advised that the People & Places Advisory Committee had considered and supported the same report and noted that under the Equality Assessment ‘Young people’ needed to be included under the second row, final column.

 

The Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Officer People & Places confirmed that there would be Member Safeguarding training and advised that the main aims of the policy were to:


· Raise awareness of the duties and responsibilities for children, young
people and adults at risk of harm


· Encourage good practice among staff, elected members, volunteers
and contractors, to safeguard children and adults at risk who receive
Council services


· Provide clear guidance on procedures to be adopted if it is suspected
that an adult, young person or child may be at risk of harm
The Committee discussed the report.



Public Sector Equality Duty
Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the
Public Sector Equality Duty.


Resolved: That it be recommended to Council, to adopt the updated Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy.

IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS

This notice was published on 21 March 2022. The decisions contained in Minute 90 and 92 take effect immediately. The decisions contained in Minute 89, and 91 take effect on 29 March 2022. The decisions contained in Minutes 88 and 93 are references to Council.

 

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