Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor T G Knight.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 13 March 2014.

It was AGREED that the minutes of Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel held on 13 March 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest or disclosures of advice or direction made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a verbal report by the Executive Member for Health and Housing on Local Strategic Health Issues.

The Panel received a verbal report by the Executive Member of Health and Housing on local strategic health issues. He informed that the Panel that he had recently attended a Health and Wellbeing Seminar on Healthy Ageing. He explained that it was an extremely informative seminar and thought that it would be of great interest to the Panel, and therefore he and the Director of Community would put together a presentation on this for the Panel at a future meeting.

He also attended the Friends of the Hospital AGM. During this meeting there was a presentation from a general practitioner which highlighted the management structure of the hospital, which consisted of 4 separate organisations, and how this management structure is confusing and suitable for the hospital whilst highlighting some of the issues that it is causing.

Councillor Trott proposed that the Panel write a letter to the Health Minister and send a copy to all other interested parties including the local MP and the Chairman of the Clinical Commissioning Group, expressing the Council’s concerns over the management and use of the hospital. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Whittingham, and having been put to the vote with 5 in favour and 1 against the proposal was accepted.

The Director of Community addressed the Panel to provide an update on a recent award of grant funding. He informed the Panel that the Council had received 335,000 in funding for the ‘Clued Up 2 Go’ Project as part of the Fareham Park Project, which will provide young people with access to a Youth Centre, Health and Wellbeing Advice and a Counselling Service.

To consider a presentation by the Director of Community on an introduction to the Role of the Panel.

The Panel received a presentation by the Director of Community on an Introduction to the Role of the Panel.

The presentation outlined the role of the Panel, the services within the Health and Housing portfolio, the achievements made in the past year, and the priorities for 2014/15.

It was AGREED that the Director of Community be thanked for his presentation.

To consider a report by the Director of Community on the Affordable Housing Programme 2015-18.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community on an update on the Affordable Housing Programme 2015-18.

The Panel were informed that since the report went to the Executive in April 2014, Palmerston Avenue and Coldeast Close have both been granted planning permission. Work is likely to start on Palmerston Avenue in the Autumn and work on Coldeast Close should start early 2015.

It was AGREED that the Panel notes:

(a)  the decisions taken by the Executive in April 14 to set budgets for all ‘firm’ schemes;

(b)  the nature of the bid which has been submitted to the HCA and the commitments that will be entered into should the bid be successful; and

(c)  the current status of the Council’s Affordable Housing Programme.

To receive a presentation by the Director of Community on an update on Collingwood Court.

The Panel received a verbal update by the Director of Community on the progress made to date on the Collingwood Court development.

He informed the Panel that the development is progressing well, and that they are currently 4/5 weeks behind schedule due to the severe weather at the start of the year, but they are working hard to bring the project forward. They are currently on the 2^nd storey, the roof structure will be placed onto the building by September 2014, and internal works have already begun. The Council is pleased with the progress and the quality of the work, and the contractor is working well with the local community and so far no issues have been reported.

He also informed the Board that the works have to be completed by 31 March 2015, and that an opening date for the new development should be known in the autumn.

It was AGREED that the Panel notes the progress made to date on the Collingwood Court development.

To consider a report by the Director of Community on Development Opportunities.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community on development opportunities.

Councillor Davies enquired as to whether it was possible for a number of small sites to be identified and packaged together to make one contract. The Senior Housing Officer (Enabling) confirmed that it was possible but potentially challenging depending upon the nature of each site and the associated constraints.

It was AGREED that the content of the report be noted for future reference as the sites come forward.

To consider a report by the Director of Community on a Review the Work Programme for 2014/15.

The Panel received a report by the Director of Community on a Review of the Work Programme 2014/15.

The Director of Community addressed the Panel to confirm that the Chairman of the Clinical Commissioning Group would be attending the meeting on 11 September, and that the Panel will be able to put any health questions to him.

He also addressed the panel regarding a proposal to set up an Officer/Member working group to look at the issue of rough sleeping/homelessness in the Borough, and to feedback to the Panel with proposals on how this can be tackled. He circulated a scoping document to members which contained suggested items for consideration. All members expressed an interest in being a part of the working group and it was decided that Councillors; Mrs Ellerton, Miss Bell, Mrs Trott and Steadman would be the members that would undertake this role.

Councillor Davies requested that an item on Supporting People be added to the work programme, as a result of the recent announcement that Hampshire County Council are looking to withdraw funding from this service. The Director of Community suggested that the item be added onto the work programme as an unallocated item until Hampshire County Council announces their plans for the funding of this service and the impact that these cuts will have on the services is fully known.

It was AGREED that the work programme, subject to the inclusion of the additional unallocated item on Supporting people, as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved.