Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Mercer welcomed members to the meeting and assumed the role of Chair in the absence of Councillor H Harrison.

Apologies were received from Councillors H Harrison, G Shacklock, K Lawal, J McGhee and C Smith-Haynes

Cllr Lyn Buckingham was in attendance as a substitute for Cllr J McGhee.

It was AGREED:

That the minutes of the Health, Wellbeing & Vulnerable People Executive Advisory Panel held on 1 October 2021 be agreed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

AGREED:

That the content of the two harmonised policies and new Tenancy Agreement as set out in the Appendices be noted

(Reason for decisions – Prior to the formation of North Northamptonshire Council, Kettering and Corby have their own different documents, policies and procedures. These all require harmonisation and currently present some risks to the authority.)

The Assistant Director for Housing and Communities introduced the report which outline proposals to harmonise policies and align tenancy agreements across North Northamptonshire.

Members noted that the main tenancy offer introduced 1-year introductory tenancy contracts. These would be extended if tenancy conditions were met within the initial 12-month period.

During discussion, the Panel raised the following principal points:

      i.        A phased approach to implementation was welcomed;

    ii.        The Council should challenge itself to be the best landlord in the area;

   iii.        Endorsement of the Tenant’s Forum should be sought in development of the Full Housing Strategy;

   iv.        The Executive Member for Housing & Communities should seek to ensure that the policies of registered housing providers meet the standard set by North Northamptonshire Council;

    v.        The offer available to and rights of tenants with a suspended possession order seemed to be unclear;

   vi.        Provision of further explanatory information detailing the rights of tenants should be sought for inclusion in the final policy documents;

  vii.        Building for purpose should be considered for the future provision of adaptable homes;

 viii.        Knowledge of the private sector facility provision should be improved for the purpose of identification of suitable homes;

   ix.        The application process and access to adapted properties for younger disabled tenants should be further reviewed.

It was AGREED:

That the content of the two harmonised policies and new Tenancy Agreement as set out in the Appendices be noted

(Reason for decisions – Prior to the formation of North Northamptonshire Council, Kettering and Corby have their own different documents, policies and procedures. These all require harmonisation and currently present some risks to the authority.)

AGREED:

That statement on Modern Slavery as a position statement for North Northamptonshire Council as set out in the Appendices be supported.

(Reason for decision - Organisations must publish an annual statement setting out the steps they take to prevent modern slavery in their business and their supply chains. This is a requirement under section 54 (Transparency in Supply Chains) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.)

The Assistant Director for Housing and Communities introduced the report which outlined the commitment of North Northamptonshire Council to preventing and acting against identified slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities, its supply chains, and the wider community.

Members noted that the Modern Slavery Statement will be published annually by North Northamptonshire Council.

Members felt that enforcement would be key in ensuring the commitments of the statement are consistently met and suggested that reporting could be strengthened through the development of wider partnership working.

It was AGREED:

That statement on Modern Slavery as a position statement for North Northamptonshire Council as set out in the Appendices be supported.

(Reason for decision - Organisations must publish an annual statement setting out the steps they take to prevent modern slavery in their business and their supply chains. This is a requirement under section 54 (Transparency in Supply Chains) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.)

AGREED:

That the items listed on the Executive Forward Plan be noted.

The Panel received the Executive Forward Plan covering the period 1 October 2021 to 31 January 2022.

Members noted that Executive budget discussions would begin week commencing 1 November 2021 and that initial proposals would be presented to Executive Advisory Panels during the December meeting cycle.

It was AGREED that the Executive Forward Plan of items be noted.

AGREED:

That the following items be added to the work programme:

      i.        Corby (November 2021)

    ii.        Budget Proposals (December 2021)

Members reviewed the forward list of items for future consideration by the panel.

It was AGREED that the following items be added to the work programme of the Health, Wellbeing & Vulnerable People EAP:

              i.        Corby Town Investment Plan and Multi-Purpose Building (November 2021)

            ii.        Budget Proposals (December 2021)

AGREED:

That the updates on;

1. Integrated Care Systems
2. Real Living Wage
3. Knife Crime Summit and;
4. The Care Quality Commission review of Younger Adult’s Services

be noted.

The Executive Director Adults, Communities and Wellbeing provided an update on the recent Care Quality Commission review into the Younger Adult’s Care Service. This had been rated as requiring improvement. Members noted that progress had been since May and that the review did not consider the impact of the recent introduction of the Real Living Wage at NNC.

Members heard that a Knife Crime Summit had been recently held by Northamptonshire Police. Members requested that progress updates on this item be brought to the Panel under the standing item for updates and alerts.

The work on Integrated Care Systems was progressing and had entered the recruitment phase for Chief Officers.

It was AGREED that:

The Panel noted updates on the following items:

      i.        The Care Quality Commission review of Younger Adult’s Services

    ii.        Real Living Wage;

   iii.        Knife Crime Summit and;

   iv.        Integrated Care Systems