MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM


Present :

 

Mr I R Stephens (Chairman), Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mrs B D Clough, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mr G P Price, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams


Apologies :

 

Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C R Hancock, Mr G S Kendall


Portfolio Holder :

 

Mr R G Mazillius


Also Present (Non-Voting) :

 

Mr J A Bowker, Mrs B E Foster



 

 18.      MINUTES


RESOLVED :

 

THAT, subject to the inclusion of Mrs D Gardiner on the apologies listed, the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2002 be confirmed.

 

19.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST


Interests were declared in the following matters :


Mrs T M Butchers declared a personal interest as the Council representative on Medina Housing Association Management Board.


Mr D G Williams declared a personal interest as the Councils representative on Vectis Housing Society Limited.

 

20.      HOUSING SERVICE PLAN


The Chairman indicated that the Select Committee had the opportunity to scrutinise issues relating to housing matters. Members focussed on the Housing Services Service Plan which detailed the service performance and targets for the period 2002/03.

 

           Members considered the current homelessness figures for the Island. Members were advised of the various problems the Island had encountered with homelessness and how this was being addressed. It was noted that empty properties, through various sources, were identified by the Council’s Housing Initiatives Officer so as much empty property as possible was brought back into use. It was suggested that Parish Councils be informed of the need to identify empty property. The temporary use of Bed and Breakfast facilities still existed, it was estimated that the net cost per family per week was £90-100. Members were concerned about the long term use of B&B facilities and the effect that it would have on families.


It was indicated that planning policy for housing needed to be revisited. It was highlighted that sometimes developers would submit a planning application to which an affordable housing condition would be attached, but as the policy would not enforce a timescale to which the development had to commence, there was no guarantee when the houses would be built. The Select Committee were informed that the Chairman of both the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee and Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee had agreed that a Joint meeting of the Committee’s would be arranged to take place in September 2002 to discuss such housing and planning application matters.


The Strategic Director briefed members on the current problems encountered with the Total Cost Indicator (TCI). The TCI was the amount of funds that the Housing Corporation allowed for the cost of building a house. It was explained that the Directorate had proved that the TCI was too low and was in correspondence with the relevant bodies to rectify this shortfall.


RESOLVED :

 

           (a)       THAT a further report be brought to the Select Committee regarding empty properties

 

           (b)       THAT the Select Committee support the Strategic Director and Portfolio Holder in their correspondence regarding TCI’s.

 

           (c)       THAT the Committee support the Joint Select Committee meeting to be arranged in September with Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee.

 

           (d)       THAT the Select Committee have greater involvement in the monitoring of external SLA’s relevant to this Service.

 

21.      MEALS ON WHEELS CHARGES


Members were advised that as part of the budget settlement for 2002/03 it had been agreed to increase charges of a range of services which had included the Meals on Wheels service, a rise from £1.70 to £2.25 per meal. Following representations from people receiving the service, the WRVS and Councillors, in consultation with the Chairman of the Select Committee and the Portfolio Holder the increase due to come into force on 1 July 2002 had been withdrawn.


The Strategic Director advised Members that by careful management of the revenue budget it would be possible to take this action and stay within the financial framework.


It was suggested that if it was necessary to increase the charge of the service that it be done in stages and not in one go.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the position be noted.

 

22.      BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF MAY 02 AND PROVISIONAL OUTTURN FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 02


The Strategic Director presented his report which outlined the budget and spending position on both revenue and capital for the services within the Select Committee’s remit.

           Members were advised that the Revenue Provisional Outturn for 2001/02 had increased from £570,000 to £597,000. The increase was because one placement for a man with learning disabilities had not been picked up by financial monitoring. Members were assured that appropriate checks had been put in place to ensure this problem would not be encountered again.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the report be noted.

 

23.      THE FUTURE OF THE CHILDREN’S COMMITTEE


The Select Committee received the report of the Head of Paid Service which outlined proposals to amend the title and role of the Children’s Committee. The Committee had been established in June 2000 by the Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee and Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee to oversee the Council’s role as a Corporate Parent and monitor progress against national objectives for Children’s Services.


There had been a meeting on the 17 June 2002 involving the relevant representatives to consider the future of the Children’s Committee. It was suggested that the Committee’s title should be amended to the Children and Young Peoples Committee due to the Council’s responsibilities for young people up to the age of 25 . It was noted that a number of matters relating to Children and Young People had in the past been reported to both Committees which involved duplication of work and no clear line of responsibility. Members were advised that the Children’s Committee role could be extended so to give greater assistance in the development of appropriate plans and strategies. The Select Committee would still retain the right to consider any relevant matter and would also be advised of the Committee’s proposed workplan.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Children’s Committee be renamed the Children and Young Persons Committee, with the terms of reference as set out in Appendix 1, subject to it dealing with areas of significant joint working where these have been approved by the relevant Select Committee.

 

24.      FORWARD PLAN


The Strategic Director highlighted that the Lead Commissioning Proposals had not yet been built into the Forward Plan. The proposals would be considered by the Select Committee before being considered by the Executive on 24 September 2002.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Forward Plan be noted.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN