Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2009 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

The minutes from the last Safer Halton Partnership (SHP) meeting held on Tuesday, 17 November 2009 were presented to the Board for information.

It was agreed that the Board would receive a copy of the Safer Halton Partnership Agenda and minutes for information

RESOLVED: That

(1)               the minutes be noted; and

(2)       that the Board receive a copy of the Safer Halton Partnership Agenda and minutes for information.   

The Board received the Safer Community Working Party minutes of its 16 September 2009 and 3 November 2009 meetings for information.

Minutes of 3 November meeting.

The Board was advised that there was no hotline for reporting Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and it was likely to become a Home Office requirement for all Local Authorities.

It was suggested that Halton Direct Link (HDL) could fulfil this function, either with the current HDL number or a dedicated ASB number.  The hotline would identify the ASB hotspots in the authority which would result in resources being deployed more effectively. 

The Board was further advised that the ASN Phase 2 issues and stats had been deferred to the next meeting, 

It was reported that Members had requested a glossary of abbreviations for the Performance Monitoring Indicators.  In addition, it was highlighted that the indicators only represented reported crime not actual crime and that the issue relation to the perception of crime would need to be addressed. 

It was noted that a new Joint Commissioning Board  which had been set up by the Council and the Primary Care Trust were establishing a  programme to prevent and deter alcohol and drug addiction and related mental health problems in the Borough.  The programme would also address the medical, social and economic issues relating to alcohol and drug addiction. 

It was agreed that the Board would receive and update on the issues relating to smoking at the next meeting.

Bereavement Working Party

The Board was advised that funeral charges had been revised as a result of meeting with clergy and undertakers.  It was reported that previously part of the price for a funeral had been based on the height of the individual concerned and could cost an additional £75.  However, the Working Group had suggested that £1 could be added to every funeral to avoid such costs and ensure a more consistent and fair pricing regime. 

The Board was also invited to the next meeting of the group on 4 December 2009.  In addition, it was reported that in January 2010, the membership would be reviewed.  All Members were encouraged to attend the meeting as it was important to continue to manage and operate the service as effectively as possible.

RESOLVED: That the minutes and comments made be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Health and Community which gave Members the opportunity to contribute to the development of Business Plans for the coming financial year.

The Board was advised that a list of priority areas had been circulated at the previous meeting and Members were invited to identify 3-5 priority areas.

RESOLVED: That the Board recommend the following priority areas for their current service development over the next three years:-

·        Alcohol and its Influences (to include Anti Social Behaviour, Domestic Violence and Crime);

·        Continue with the Bereavement Working Party in respect of ongoing issues;

·        Waste (to include Recycling, Enforcement and Litter);

·        Smoking (to include Trading Standards, Issues relating to cold calling, loan sharks, bogus calling and No Smoking Enforcement); and

·        Noise Nuisance (to include Air Pollution and Smell Pollution).

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Health and Community which presented the Annual Report of Halton’s Safeguarding Adults Board, for the year 2008/09 and briefed the Members on the key issues and progression of the agenda for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.

The Board was advised of the strategic framework and operation of the multi-agency arrangements for safeguarding adults in Halton who were vulnerable to abuse. The report provided details of work undertaken from April 2008 to March 2009 and summarised priorities and planned activity for the year April 2009 to March 2010. 

The Board was further advised that an additional Detective Inspector post had been created in the northern Public Protection Unit of Cheshire Constabulary, thereby providing a dedicated DI for Halton instead of covering both the Warrington and Halton areas.  A dedicated vulnerable adults officer had also been appointed at Detective Constable level.

It was also reported that a Dignity Co-ordinator had been appointed and that Dwayne Johnson, Strategic Director, Health and Community had been appointed as Chairman of the Safeguarding Adults Board.

The following points arose from the discussion:-

·        The Board suggested that they receive a copy of the Minutes of the Safeguarding Adults Board;

·        It was noted that Councillor Gerrard had been appointed to the Board and Members were informed to contact Councillor Gerard with any items that they wished to be considered on the agenda;

·        It was noted that all agencies/people that provided any support services to vulnerable adults would be subject to a CRB Check and be subject to regular inspections.  It was also noted that agencies that were providing services on behalf of the Council to support vulnerable people would be subject to a contract, with a detailed specification and the Contract Officer would undertake regular inspections and measure the services against the contract;

·        The issues relating to safeguarding in relation to the Direct Payment Scheme was noted.  In particular, that the Authority emphasised and provided guidance and support to people wishing to participate in the scheme to ensure their safety.  However, it was noted that it was an individuals choice whether they took such advice and liability for any problems in relation to this scheme was with the individual as an employer.  The Authority, recommended that they obtained Liability Insurance to safeguard against such problems;

·        Clarity was sought on the CRB check in relation to foreign nationals;

It was reported that this information would be circulated to all Members of the Board.

·        It was noted that the attendance of the Basic Awareness Course had improved significantly in comparison to previous years;

·        In relation to a plan for provision of a Handyperson scheme to enable minor repairs to be carried out by vetted staff, clarity was sought on whether this was a duplication of service as Age Concern currently provided this service; and

It was reported that information on this matter would be circulated to all Members of the Board.

·        the further development of date collection in respect of reporting and analysis  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which provided a draft Environmental and Regulatory Services Enforcement Policy document for comment and endorsement.

The Board was advised that the draft document replaced the current Enforcement Policy that was originally approved in 2001.  In addition, it was reported that there was a key risk that future enforcement actions taken by the Council may be contested if the authority could not demonstrate that it had an up to date enforcement policy that recognised the principles of enforcement in the Cabinet Office Enforcement Concordat and the statutory BERR Regulations Compliance Code.

In respect of Simple Cautions, clarity was sought on the timescale of cautions remaining active.  It was reported that this matter would be discussed with the Legal Department and the information be circulated to Members of the Board.

The Board agreed that it was important to receive the developments of the supporting documents as soon as possible.  It was suggested that the redrafted policy be presented to the next meeting of the Board for consideration.

RESOLVED: That

(1)                     the draft Environmental and Regulatory Services Enforcement Policy document be endorsed;

(2)                     the report be presented to the Executive Board recommending the adoption of the Environmental and Regulatory Services Enforcement Policy;

(3)                     the redrafted Policy be presented to the next meeting of the Board; and

(4)                     the supporting documents be presented to the Board as soon as possible.

(NB: Councillors M Ratcliffe and Councillor Redhead declared a personal interest in the following item of business due to being a Fire Service Employee and a Fire Authority Member).

The Board received a verbal report from the Head of Service, Waste Management on the progress in respect of the Lockable Wheeled Bin Project.

The Board was advised that as a result of incidents with wheelie bins being stolen and set on fire in Halton Park and Halton Lodge and in partnership with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service the Authority had established a lockable wheeled bin project.  The project in which lockable wheelie bins had been provided to 100 residents in that area at a cost of £4,000.  The project had been very successful.

The Board was further advised that the bins had specially designed keys that could only be opened by the key holder or by the collection service. In addition ten problematic properties had been identified and the Council had given them advice on removing waste from their gardens and monitored their progress.  Smoke alarms had also been installed.  As a result of the project, there had been no incidents of stolen bins or bins that had been set on fire since June 2009 and the Cheshire Fire and Police Service had also received an Excellence Award as a result of the success of the project. 

It was reported that the Area Forum had supported the pilot scheme, However, the scheme would cost too much to role out across the Borough.  It was, therefore suggested that the Council explore the possibility of work in partnership with companies to look at providing the bins at a reduced rate. 

In addition, it was suggested that this matter could be addressed via the Business Efficiency Board as part of the procurement procedure,

RESOLVED: That

(1)                     the verbal update and comments made be noted;

(2)                     officers explore the possibility of partnership working with private companies to provide the bins at a reduced rate so that the scheme could be considered in other areas of the Borough; and

(3)                     officers approach the Business Efficiency Board to request that they consider this scheme as part of the procurement procedure.