Agenda item

This report sets out the Council's progress in delivering the corporate objectives from April 2020 to July 2020. This is to ensure that Members have the most up to date information possible.

Members considered the progress of the Corporate Priority, Communities, presented by Councillor Hoy.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows:

1.    Councillor Miscandlon stated that in the report it states that officers have worked with 79 landlords, which appears to be a limited number, given the scale of the private rented properties in the district, and he would like an understanding of the work carried out with unregistered landlords to encourage them to register and to ensure good sound rental housing, which impacts on the health and wellbeing of their tenants. Councillor Hoy expressed the view that the numbers are low, compared to last year when the number was 95, but that it is for a much shorter period, and that due to Covid 19, formal inspections on properties has not been able to take place. She stated that with regard to registration, there is no formal landlord registration scheme or any licensing type of scheme in place apart from houses in multiple occupancy (HMO), however, the Landlord Forum which took place in early March, which was used to explain the new enforcement approach, appears to be working well and landlords seem to be taking action. Councillor Hoy stated that the mandatory HMO licensing which was introduced last year, initially meant that people were slow to sign up, however, because they now realise there are penalties if they do not register, there has been an increase in the number of registrations. She expressed the opinion that it has been successful and will be reviewed pre-budget time and she hopes that this approach will focus on the bad landlords.

2.    Councillor Miscandlon asked what action is being taken to bring the empty properties across the district back into use? Councillor Hoy stated that an officer is now in post to address this issue, which has proved to be successful. She stated that there were 400 properties across the districts which have been empty for over 6 months and since the officer has been in post, 52 of those empty properties have been brought back into use.

3.    Councillor Cornwell asked for clarification with regard to the figures at the bottom of page 3 of the report in connection with private sector housing. Councillor Hoy provided an explanation to members with regard to the meaning of the income and expenditure listed and also outlined the various processes that are in place in order for monies to be paid to the Council.

4.      Councillor Wicks asked what enforcement takes place with regard to dog fouling? Carol Pilson stated that this issue would fall within Councillor Murphy’s portfolio for environment, but she would be happy to give an overview. She stated that the Council is keen to promote responsible dog ownership; it has recently carried out some consultation with regard to its Public Spaces Protection Orders, where an overwhelming response was received from the public who wanted to retain them going forward, and the Council also promotes the Green Dog Walkers Initiative, where there are over 150 volunteers who promote the scheme to impress amongst others about how to behave responsibly with their dogs. She stated that seven additional dispensers for dog fouling bags have also been installed within hot spot areas in the District and the Street Cleansing service, which operates a 7 day a week service, will respond to any reports of fouling to be cleared. The Street Scene Team also patrol in a number of areas and they have the powers to issue fines of £75 if they witness any fouling, which is not cleared up by the owner and three of these fines have been issued in the last year. Carol Pilson concluded by stating that it does remain a priority for the Council as it is a such a concern for the public and we regularly update our social media and website campaigns. Councillor Wicks asked whether there are any anti fouling posters in existence that can be displayed? Carol Pilson stated that she will raise this proposal with Councillor Murphy.

5.      Councillor Booth stated that the Street Scene Team do have anti-fouling stickers and will come out and display them if requested.

6.      Councillor Booth asked Councillor Hoy whether she was confident that all empty properties have been identified across the District via the Council Tax database? Councillor Hoy stated that the Anglia Revenues Partnership database is utilised, however, if Councillor Booth has a property which he is aware may be an empty property then he can email the officers for it to be investigated further. Councillor Booth stated that if a resident is trying to get a property back into circulation, but needs assistance, is advice and guidance available? Councillor Hoy responded that yes advice is available and she would encourage the residents to make contact.

7.    Councillor Mrs Mayor said that during the COVID 19 pandemic and associated lockdownthere appears to be an increase in vandalism. She added that in Whittlesey there has been a property in the grounds of the Manor Leisure Centre, which has been so badly vandalised it now needs to be removed, and she asked what deterrent can be put in place to stop the vandals? Councillor Hoy stated that she will ask Councillor Wallwork to respond to this question.

8.    Councillor Mrs Mayor referred to page 25 of the report where it mentions Vivacity handing back their contract to Peterborough City Council and also refers to a smaller trust doing a similar thing further south, asking for further details regarding this. Councillor Clark stated that it was in Southern England and was a company called Adur Leisure Centres and she would send Councillor Mrs Mayor the newspaper link to it.

9.    Councillor Cornwell referred to a comment in the report in relation to Groundwork East concerning a community tree planting scheme and asked whether members were going to be kept informed of any proposed tree planting. He was also keen to understand if the community would be involved and how the organisation decides where any works are to take place? Councillor Clark responded that Groundwork East have recently been awarded an Environmental Education contract to run a number of tree planting days. The project is in its initial stages and is currently looking for potential sites, with the intention to engage with community groups and land owners. Once sites are identified and plans are in place, ward councillors will be notified and receive updates on the project.

10.Councillor Cornwell stated that apart from the Covid pandemic there is nothing contained within the report with regard to health services and he would like to have an update going forward.

11.Councillor Cornwell asked for an explanation with regard to the ‘I Love Wisbech’ project. Dan Horn advised that it is an initiative which has created collaboration between the community and voluntary sector in conjunction with the public sector, with various objectives and a set of principles. He added that moving forward funding opportunities will be investigated and submissions of bids for funding will be worked on to move forward with projects.

12.Councillor Cornwell asked for an update regarding Civil Enforcement parking ideas which have been discussed over time. Councillor Mrs French stated that this was first discussed last year, however, there have been delays due to Covid. She added that she has since had a meeting with officers and the intention is to bring a report to the Cabinet meeting in October, which will outline how the project can be funded.

13.Councillor Mason asked Councillor Hoy to outline what the plans are for rough sleepers following the Covid pandemic and asked whether the current level of funding is going to be sustainable? Councillor Hoy stated that the funding is not sustainable, however, the Council has banded rough sleepers with regard to their level of need and possible solutions and interventions are being investigated to assist these individuals going forward. She added that additional funding has been requested from Central Government, to assist with accommodation placements for our rough sleepers and it is hoped that the Council will be successful with its bid as it is the wish that rough sleeping is ended by 2023.

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel agreed to note the progress made by the Council in delivering the Communities corporate objectives in the Business Plan.