Democracy in Crawley

How decisions are made and who represents you

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Ashurst Main Hall - The Charis Centre. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services  Email: democratic.services@crawley.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Disclosures of Interest and Whipping Declarations

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, councillors are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

 

Councillors must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

 

Minutes:

The following disclosures were made:

 

Councillor

Item and Minute

Type and Nature of Disclosure

 

Councillor

R A Lanzer

Community Grants Procedure

& Outcomes Framework

(Minute 4)

Personal Interest –

Member of WSCC

 

 

Councillor

R A Lanzer

HASC

(Minute 6)

Personal Interest –

Member of WSCC

 

Councillor

R A Lanzer

HASC

(Minute 6)

Personal Interest –

WSCC Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing

 

 

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 405 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 6 September 2021.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 6 September 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

 

3.

Public Question Time

To answer any questions from the public which are relevant to the items on this agenda.  The period will end after 15 minutes or at the Chair’s discretion.

Minutes:

No questions from the public were asked.

 

4.

Community Grants Procedure & Outcomes Framework pdf icon PDF 398 KB

To consider report HCS/29 of the Head of Community Services.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Commission considered report HCS/29 of the Head of Community Services. The report sought approval for the future process and outcomes framework relating to the community grants programme.

 

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Public Protection & Community Engagement, Head of Community Services and Community Services Manager, Councillors made the following comments:

·         Confirmation was provided on the proposed new grants procedure and outcomes framework as set out in report HCS/29.  The grants process was recognised as being important for organisations as pandemic restrictions eased.

·         Verification was provided on the application process and the criteria being applied, focusing on equally rated key priority areas.  

·         Confirmation that the priorities and outcomes for the new grants programme would be able to be revised periodically as required as there may be a need to adapt to changes in funding and ways of working.

·         It was recognised that the application process had been streamlined with a ‘simplified’ version for the small grants application. Ultimately, the application process for strategic grants would require a greater level of detail than those applying to the small grants but both processes would be predominantly online.  Groups would make regular contact prior to submitting applications with officers from Community Development offering support, which would continue throughout the funding process. 

·         Acknowledgement that the officers’ commitment, negotiation and support had been a continuing factor in the success the programme over its many years, building the engagement with the voluntary sector and outside organisations.

·         Explanations were sought and obtained on the details regarding the funding pots and budget provision.

·         Monitoring reports would continue to be a requirement (quarterly, annually and end of project) so as to ensure the grant was spent as intended, together with action in place if it was spent fraudulently.

·         Confirmation was provided on the revised Countywide ‘Community Advice and Support Service’ (CASS) which would remain as a jointly commissioned service. This would provide for an information and advice service such as currently provided by Citizens Advice West Sussex to be delivered in Crawley.  WSCC would lead the countywide procurement process.

·         Confirmation was provided on the crowdfunding agreement, particularly as it was commented that crowdfunding may generate significant interest. Currently there was an expectation for an organisation to reach a threshold before funding was released and if that was not reached the organisation would be directed to the small grants scheme.  It was recognised that other alternative (external) funding opportunities may be available for organisations. However, the council would still be looking to assist in signposting. 

·         Recognition that generally the feedback from the voluntary sector had been one of understanding with regards to the council’s position.  It was acknowledged there were many groups and organisations within the town and it would be useful for councillors to be aware of which groups were in receipt of funding within their wards.

·         There was a need to ascertain the impact on various groups and also promote the grants scheme particularly through the community, through different media, other funding bodies and networking  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Cabinet Member Discussion with the Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Community Engagement pdf icon PDF 99 KB

Councillor Jones has been invited to attend the Commission for a general discussion on the Public Protection and Community Engagement Portfolio and their duties.  A copy of the Cabinet Member’s responsibilities, as set out in the Council’s Constitution is attached.

 

Minutes:

The Commission noted the update given by Councillor Jones and questioned him on a variety of issues relating to his portfolio.

 

The following topics were discussed: 

·         Having recently returned to the position of Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Community Engagement it was welcoming to be back to celebrate the community spirit in Crawley.

·         The portfolio covered a variety of services including most recently the unveiling of a war memorial at St Johns Church to the most recent Crawley Pride event in Goffs Park which was an extremely successful event.

·         As part of Fostering Interest in Local Government it was queried if any events would be taking place as part of Local Democracy Week (11-17 October). It was confirmed that further discussions were currently underway.

·         Acknowledgement that the OSC would receive its annual update on the Safer Crawley Partnership at its November meeting. Meetings with the Civil Military Partnership had recommenced following the easing of restrictions.

·         Details were provided on the structure of the Nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour Team and services provided in relation to ASB.

·         It was noted it would be beneficial to have a representation on the amount of cybercrime occurring within the town, particularly for the Safer Crawley Partnership update.

 

RESOLVED

            That the Overview and Scrutiny Commission thanked Councillor Jones for attending and for the informative discussion that had ensued.

 

6.

Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee (HASC)

To receive a brief update on the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee (HASC).

Minutes:

An update was provided from the most recent HASC meeting.  Key items of discussion included:

A new system had been set up to monitor performance in the various sectors of WSCC’s remit. Key areas of scrutiny for each portfolio included

·         Will the new format enable effective scrutiny?

·         Effective use of measures in place.

·         Measures which are most critical to the committee’s focus.

·         Management of corporate risk.

·         Identifying specific areas for action or response within the portfolio.

·         Issues requiring further scrutiny.

The report focussed on highlighting situations within the different portfolios that impacted on delivering the 4 Council priorities.

·         Keeping people safe from vulnerable situations

·         A sustainable and prosperous economy.

·         Helping people and communities fulfil their potential.

·         Making best use of resources.

The issue of tackling climate change underpinned all the work. The reports were the first under the new system. There were pressures on both the Adult Services Portfolio and the Public Health and Wellbeing Portfolio and in the coming months the key performance indicators would be considered to see how areas of influence within portfolios were performing and the reports would be published quarterly.

 

The substantive item from the agenda concerned a report from the Sussex Health and Care Partnership on Covid 19 recovery and restoration of health services for West Sussex residents. Major points included:

·         Matters were challenging because of Covid 19 and continued to be so.

·         There was evidence of good collaborative working – within the top 10 decil nationally.

·         There had been greater elective response including liaison with private providers.

·         Integrated services were being developed.

·         There was no mention in the report of the role of patient groups in helping to drive services forward.

Operational Response to Covid 19

·         12-15 were being worked on.

·         There was a need to separate dosage figures for care homes between residents and staff.

Restoration of Services

·         There had been some problems with communicating the position regarding the restoration of services to people.

·         Flu vaccine rates had improved on previous years.

·         Access to GPs was still a problem – the situation had improved but there was still a lot to do. However, West Sussex was among the best countrywide.

·         The default position should not be the emergency services.

·         It was important that face to face GP referral improves.

Urgent Emergency Care

·         Emergency care had remained open throughout the pandemic but great pressures remain particularly on Walk In Centres and Urgent Treatment Centres

Hospital Elective Treatment

·         There was no mention of the Ambulance Service in the report.

·         It was important that working with patient groups continued.

·         There was a need to keep an eye on acute services.

·         Any staff shortages needed to be addressed.

Cancer

·         Referrals had increased

·         Work was on-going concerning cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mental Health

·         Need for greater mental health support in schools.

·         Expert advice was now going in.

Transformation of Mental Health Services

·         Community mental health services were at the heart of the NHS long term plan – developing new and integrated models of primary and community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Forthcoming Decision List - and Provisional List of Reports for the Commission's following Meetings

To consider any requests for future items. Those highlighted items have been referred to the Commission.

 

Cabinet 24 Nov 2021                                     OSC 22 Nov 2021 

 

Report Title

PFD

Budget Strategy 2022/23 – 2026/27                          

Yes

Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2021-202

Yes

2021/2022 Budget Monitoring - Quarter 2

 

Crawley Economic Recovery Plan

 

Town Centre Regeneration Programme v3

 

Crawley Fusion Innovation Centre Scheme – PART B

 

 

Cabinet 12 Jan 2022 = Provisional              OSC 10 Jan 2022 

 

Cabinet 2 Feb 2022                                        OSC 31 Jan 2022 

 

Report Title

PFD

2022/2023 Budget and Council Tax

Yes

Treasury Management Strategy 2022-2023  

Yes

Irrecoverable Debts 2021/22 (Over £50,000)

 

 

Cabinet 16 March 2022                                 OSC 14 March 2022 

 

Minutes:

The Commission confirmed the following reports:

 

OSC 22 November

Budget Strategy 2022/23 – 2026/27

Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2021-2022

2021/2022 Budget Monitoring - Quarter 2

Crawley Economic Recovery Plan

Town Centre Regeneration Programme v3

Crawley Fusion Innovation Centre Scheme Business Case (Part B)

 

OSC 31 January

2022/2023 Budget and Council Tax

Treasury Management Strategy 2022-2023

2021/2022 Budget Monitoring - Quarter 3

 

 

The Chair requested a report to OSC on the major works currently being undertaken at Milton Mount flats, particularly in relation to the water pressure.  The report should detail considerations, alternative options and resolutions.