Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18^th July, 2019, be received and approved as a correct record.

In accordance with the procedures set out in the Council’s Petition Scheme,

the petition named ‘S106 Agreement Local Infrastructure Funding’, having received in excess of 500 signatures, is presented for consideration as follows:-

“We the undersigned petition the Council to look into using S106 Agreement funding to assist local residents currently suffering detriment from granted planning permission and loss of local infrastructure on Carsic Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield and the adjoining streets, Davis Avenue and Percival Crescent.”

In accordance with the procedures set out in the Council’s Petition Scheme,

the petition regarding “S106 Agreement Local Infrastructure Funding” having received in excess of 500 signatures was presented to the Committee for consideration.

The petition organiser, Cathy Mason, was in attendance to discuss

the details of the Petition and put forward two questions for discussion. The

Assistant Director, Planning and Regulatory Services, attended the meeting to respond to the petition and questions.

Question 1

Is there any available Section 106 money available to support public transport and car parking schemes for Carsic Lane?

Question 2

Can the Council work with Bus companies and County Council to improve transport provision?

Response

The Council’s Assistant Director, Planning and Regulatory Services advised Committee Members that a Section 106 agreement between the Council and a Developer was legally binding and once entered into, couldn’t be varied.

The Council prioritises schemes within the District and as part of the S106 agreement negotiations, schemes within the vicinity of the application site are selected and submitted as part of the negotiations with the Developer.  Once the earmarked improvements are agreed and finalised, a formal S106 agreement is signed by all parties and implemented accordingly.

In relation to the Carsic Lane area, the S106 development agreement had allocated £32,000 for public realm improvements which enables environmental works to be undertaken to the spaces between the buildings/estates.  The funding could therefore not be used for highways improvements and in any event, the County Council had been consulted as part of the planning application and had not flagged up any highways issues within that particular area.

In relation to the question surrounding bus provision, the Service Manager, Scrutiny and Democratic Services advised Committee Members that there was an item already on the Scrutiny Workplan in relation to local bus provision and that issues raised throughout the review could also take into account the Carsic Lane area, amongst others, as part of the wider considerations.  Members considered the suggestion and agreed that as part of the review process, it would be beneficial for local residents from the Carsic Lane area to be consulted accordingly.

To conclude, the Assistant Director, Planning and Regulatory Services added that the list of projects for potential S106 funding was always changing and it was a possibility that highways improvements to Carsic Lane might come forward in the future.

RESOLVED that

a)    the petition, questions and responses be received and duly noted by the Committee;

b)    the Service Manager, Scrutiny and Democratic Services be requested to include the Carsic Lane area as part of the wider considerations of the review of Local Bus Provision.

The Council’s Scrutiny Research Officer took the opportunity to update Members in relation to the ‘Impact of Universal Credit’ review.

Further information had been requested at both the last formal meeting of the Committee on 18^th July and the informal working group meeting held on 7^th August in relation to Universal Credit payment methods, support services on offer and current food and fuel poverty issues.

A variety of officers with a range of areas of expertise were in attendance at the Informal Working Group meeting and these included the following:-

Nicky Moss, Service Manager – Housing Management & Tenancy Services

Peter Curry, Housing Management Advisor

Craig Scott, Service Manager – Revenues and Benefits

Sue Fielding, Senior Employment & Partnership Leader – Department

for Work and Pensions.

The current working arrangements and relationship between the Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was discussed including the types of support payments in place. 

At present, through the Universal Credit process, advanced payments were available should claimants need help to pay their bills or cover other expenses whilst the payment application process was being administered (usually with a six week waiting time).  This advance payment would then be paid back through future Universal Credit payments at a level acceptable to the claimant and their current commitments or obligations. 

A ‘Help to Claim’ service was also currently provided through Citizen’s Advice which was aimed at assisting claimants to prepare for the application process and to offer advice and support for jobcentre appointments as necessary.

Members had also raised concerns in relation to food and fuel poverty and since the introduction of Universal Credit, England was experiencing the second highest rates of fuel poverty in Europe.  Universal Credit was leaving households without payment for up to six weeks which was leaving claimants vulnerable and facing the ‘heat or eat’ dilemma.

In relation to food poverty, a charity called The Trussell Trust was a national anti-poverty organisation which supported a network of food banks nationwide.  A recent report released by the charity had shown that when Universal Credit was introduced into an area, demand on food banks immediately increased and was still showing an increase of up to 52% even after a 12 month roll out programme had been completed.

Key findings within the report had also shown that:

1.    Waiting for a first payment had immediate consequences with 70% of survey respondents finding themselves in debt, 57% experiencing issues with their mental or physical health and 56% experiencing housing issues.

2.    There was little statutory support available during this waiting period with 63% of respondents being offered no help or just a food bank voucher.

3.    Only 8% of people surveyed by the Trussell Trust said their full Universal Credit payment covered their cost of living with this being even less for disabled people or people with ill-health.

4.    Poor administration of the Universal Credit process was a persistent concern with 35% having waited longer than six weeks for their first payment.  ...  view the full minutes text for item OS.13

The Council’s Service Manager, Scrutiny and Democratic Services advised Members that ‘Wildlife Protection’ had been added to the Scrutiny Workplan in June 2019 following consultation with Elected Members. The report contained the draft terms of reference for consideration.

Following contact from residents in relation to reporting incidences of wildlife neglect and possible crimes, it had become apparent that there was currently no Wildlife Protection Officer within the East Midlands and often residents had been directed to wildlife protection organisations as far away as Birmingham. 

Members queried how incidences are reported, how the Police work with the RSPCA and the role voluntary wildlife sanctuary’s and protection organisations have within the local area.

There did not seem to be any one point of contact for recording any requests for wildlife assistance and Members were therefore keen to establish what services were currently available within the District.  In turn, the review would hopefully ascertain how the Council could potentially forge better working relationships with key partners, gain an understanding of the demand for wildlife assistance and identify the partners involved.

RESOLVED

that the draft terms of reference for the ‘Wildlife Protection’ review, as appended to the report, be received and approved.