Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 15^th September 2020 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Councillor J Oates announced the following;

“Thank you Mr Deputy Mayor. Just a very brief announcement.

We have been informed this afternoon that Tamworth and the whole of Staffordshire will be escalating on the COVID-19 risk and tiers and we will be moved to high risk, which means we will move to a tier two regime, we believe this will be at one minute past midnight on Saturday morning. We will have suitable communication sent out to all members over the next 24 hours.

The key differences in where we are at now is we will not be able to mix or meet family or friends outside of our household indoors, that does mean however you can still go for a meal with your household in a pub or a restaurant but you can’t mix with households indoors. You could still meet people in the park just socially distanced.

The other key thing is that care homes will be asked to restrict their visiting to essential visits only.

They are the key changes when we move up to tier two. As I said communications will be sent out to all members and the public tomorrow.

I will just repeat that Tamworth and the rest of Staffordshire has now tripped into high risk in terms of the Covid pandemic and we are now operating at a tier two level. Thank you Mr Deputy Mayor.”

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO.1

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor T Clements will ask the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Councillor M Cook, the following question:-

“On 24th May 2020 plans were unveiled by the housing secretary Robert Jenrick MP to commit to providing 3500 units for rough sleepers and a budget of 160 million for 20/21. Can I ask the portfolio holder how the 'everyone in' initiative worked here in Tamworth during lockdown?”

Councillor M Cook gave the following reply:-

“Thank you Mr Deputy Mayor.

Thanks also to Cllr Clements for her question.

Preventing homelessness and helping people, often some of the most vulnerable in society, accessing suitable housing is part of Tamworth’s core strategic purpose.

Despite the national crisis facing our communities as a result of the pandemic, never more has our commitment been higher to supporting national, regional and local efforts to prevent homelessness.

The topic of the ‘Everyone In’ initiative was discussed at length in the meeting of Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny on 24^th September. I’m aware Cllr Clements wasn’t able to attend this meeting due to another commitment, however, from our conversations, it is clear you are fully versed in the outputs from this meeting.

In terms of Tamworth specifically, during “the everyone in” initiative, we supported 16 vulnerable people and put in place to support the wider homeless strategy, a number of measures including:

A free phone number set up for Rough sleepers to ensure the service is accessible to all.

All Night shelter guests were accommodated at the point the country went into lock down and the shelter was forced to close. In total, accommodation was sought for 7 rough sleepers. No one returned to Rough Sleeping, a bed was secured for all.

We purchased 5 rooms in local B&B’s for 16 weeks, with unoccupied and occupied nightly rates negotiated in order to save money.

All placements into B&B and Temporary Accommodation (TA) are now completed remotely and virtually to protect people from becoming infected.

The Supported Housing Team from Ellerbeck and Chestnut Court provided support to those in TA stock, as well as those living in those units.

Continuing our detailed work with key partners such as social services to support vulnerable care leavers, Ministry of Justice (MOJ); prisoners due to early release requirements and hospitals to ensure no one returns to rough sleeping.

COVID-19 secure checklist through risk assessments and offering PPE to those in B&B and having self-contained units available for those high risk clients.

Plus we worked with all our normal partners, as well as third sector groups to support anyone who was at risk of homelessness.

I will just remind members of Health and Wellbeing that Cllr Ford has also asked for observations and feedback by the 3^rd November so officers can integrate this into the Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy set to be considered by Cabinet on 3^rd December 2020. Thank you Cllr Clements for your question, Im happy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

The Report of the Leader of the Council provided an updated Diversity and Equality Scheme which gives assurance that systems or work streams are in place where required in order that Tamworth Borough Council embraces equality and diversity and remains compliant with legislation.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

The Report of the Leader of the Council detailed Tamworth Borough Council’s Pay Policy Statement so that statutory guidance as set out in S38 of the Localism Act is adhered to.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

(Report of the Monitoring Officer)

The Report of the Monitoring Officer advised Members of the number of complaints received for the period 01 May 2019 until 30 April 2020 in relation to alleged breaches of the Members’ Code of Conduct arising from implementation of Part 1 Chapter 7 of the Localism Act 2011 which introduced provisions to assist with the regulation of standards of conduct for elected and co-opted Councillors.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

(Report of the Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee)

The Chair of Audit and Governance presented the Annual Report of the Audit & Governance Committee 2019/20 for Council’s endorsement

(Moved by Councillor M Summers and seconded by Councillor J Faulkner)

(Report of the Chairs of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Committee and the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee)

Following circulation to all councillors by email on 2 July 2020, the attached Annual Reports were presented to Council by the Scrutiny chairs to formally update Council on the activities of the Corporate Scrutiny, Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny and Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committees over the year 2019/20 which included,

·         Chair’s overview

·         Working Groups

·         Recommendations made in the year to Cabinet

·         Committee Terms of Reference

·         Membership and Attendance

·         Training & Effectiveness

·         Work Plan

·         Resource implications

Corporate Scrutiny

(Moved by Councillor T Jay and seconded by Councillor R Bilcliff)

Infrastructure, Safety & Growth

The Chair of Infrastructure, Safety & Growth thanked the Committee, Officers and Portfolio Holders for their hard work on the Committee.

(Moved by Councillor S Goodall and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

Health and Wellbeing

The Chair of Health and Wellbeing also thanked all members of the Committee for their invaluable contributions and a mention of thanks was given to the Democratic Services Officer.

(Moved by Councillor R Ford and seconded by Councillor P Brindley)

(The updated Outside Bodies List for 2020/21)

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)