Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Jill Waring, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage. 

There were no Declarations of Interest made.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 7^th December 2020.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th December be confirmed as a correct record. 

Nothing to report.

There was nothing to report from Cabinet.

The Committee considered a report on Domestic Abuse.  The report outlined the demand for services and summarised the services available for those affected by domestic abuse in the Borough.  Catherine Fox, Partnerships Vulnerability Officer, presented the report with contributions from Sarah Moore, Partnerships Manager, Becky Murphy of Staffordshire County Council, Helen Jarvie from the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Matthew Ellis, Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime. 

The Committee was advised that the work referred to the situation during 2020 based on data from the year.  The MARAC (multi agency domestic abuse conference) had continued its work which had been a pilot project in Newcastle-under-Lyme but had now continued and had been introduced across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.  Work with vulnerable people had increased and investment in Domestic Abuse services had been increased including through funding pots from the Ministry of Justice.   The situation with levels of Domestic Abuse during Covid had been unclear to start with but data now showed that cases had increased.  At the start of the pandemic, many people had sought help via the National Helplines and were then referred to local services.  This had seen a slight increase in calls for support until around October 2020 when a sustained increase had been seen to the range of support services available.  There had been communications around where support was available and there was around a 25% increase in calls for support.  Providers had responded well to increased demand and adapted services with online support available but some face to face support such as in school settings was offered.

Members raised a number of queries and issues on the report:

-       Were there many cases of child to adult violence?  Members were informed that there were around 15 cases per quarter that were referred to commissioners that were child on parent abuse.  This figure had not increased during the pandemic.  In April 2021 a dedicated support offer to individuals affected was to be made called ‘Who’s in Charge’.

-       What were waiting times for services once an initial approach had been made?  This depended on type of service and level of risk; if it was a high risk situation then assessment and triage would be immediate; if lower risk, after initial support and guidance there may be a wait time of a few weeks for further support. 

-       Was the Children and Young Person’s Glow domestic abuse service finishing at the end of March and what would happen after that?  The Committee was advised that the contract was due to end on 31^st March but a contingency plan was in place to ensure there would be no gaps in service and there would be an extension to the service using the Locality Deal Funding passported to the Borough Council on behalf of the Newcastle Partnership from the Commissioner’s Office.

-       A question was asked about Domestic Homicide Reviews.  It was explained that any recommendations from DHRs would be shared with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To consider a presentation from Councillor Moffat.

Councillor Moffat presented on a New Vic Theatre project to tackle faith and race hate.  She was presenting in her role as Director of New Vic Borderlines.

Councillor Moffat explained that the Government had made £1.8m available through the Faith, Race and Hate Crime Grant scheme; the funding was available for established community groups and organisations for projects that champion building a diverse and tolerant society for all faiths and races. 

Borderlines project was called ‘It’s Not as Simple as Black and White’ and had received £222,931.  It would be launched on 20^th March.  The project used the idea of football to tackle faith and race hate; looking at how tactics could tackle faith and race hate with solutions not sides.  The project was supported by Port Vale Football Club.  Since November the project had worked with over 2000 people with workshops and strategies about how faith and race hate could be tackled.  The project was being extended and it was hoped could be taken into schools and at the New Vic.  The UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was 21 March with a poster/banner competition being launched on 20 March; banners would be chosen for display at Port Vale’s ground and there would be an online display. 

Members commended the work by the Borderlines project.  Reference was made to a football match a number of years ago organised by Cyril Regis that raised awareness of race.  The Committee was told that the project would continue up to the start of the European football championships.  The Partnership Manager referred to work at Keele University by the Students Union on hate crime plus work by Staffordshire County Council working in partnership to address hate crime and develop community cohesion.  Councillor Moffat advised that there was a Steering Group which would welcome representation from the Council; it was also hoped that the project would be the start of future development work along the themes outlined. 

Resolved: that the presentation be received. 

To consider a verbal update.

Councillor Moffat updated on the Parks and Open Spaces Scrutiny Review.  The Group had met and considered an interim report.  Following discussion at the meeting a further meeting had been arranged to discuss the key points raised including:

-       The importance of open space to physical and mental health and wellbeing

-       Ensuring this is recognised and given priority in the annual budget process

-       Identify and make use of any digital opportunities through the One Council programme

-       Look at pilot work in some key spaces to develop website content, location maps, QR codes and suggestions were to trial this in Lyme Valley and Bathpool Parks

-       Review ‘Report It’ functions on the website to ensure greater use

-       Consider a tree planting project taking into account the Environmental Sustainability Strategy and look at incorporating the potential for sponsoring a tree; consider a project to plant 850 trees to celebrate 850 Anniversary in 2023

-       Identify external funding and partnership opportunities.

A further meeting was taking place on 15^th April after which a report and recommendations would be submitted to the Health, Wellbeing and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee.

Resolved: that the update be received. 

To receive feedback from members of this committee who attended the meeting of the Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee

The Committee considered the digest from Staffordshire County Council outlining the work of the Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee at the recent meeting on 1^st February 2021. 

Resolved: that the update by received. 

The Head of Recycling and Fleet updated on a meeting on 26^th February between the Chair and Vice Chair with Tracey Shewan, Director of Communications from the Clinical Commissioning Group. 

The main focus of the meeting had been the response to Covid-19.  There had been a large reduction in inpatient numbers with the latest figures being 140 in the Royal Stoke Hospital and 10 in the County Hospital.  Of these there were 38 patients in Critical Care.   Members had asked about the age group and were advised that there was an increase in younger patients with the youngest in patient being 18 years of age.  Rates of infection had decreased particularly in North Staffordshire.  There was great progress with the vaccination programme; 98% of those over 80 years of age had received their first vaccine and 100% of people aged 70 -79 had been vaccinated.  The picture regarding Care Home residents showed good progress with vaccinations.   The vaccination by Ward had been circulated by email earlier and showed total numbers although not percentages.  There had been an increase in people coming forward for testing based on symptoms although they did not necessarily have the virus; it was positive that people were aware of symptoms and the need to be tested.  There was a wealth of volunteer support for the vaccination programme which was welcomed.  The main message was to continue communications around good hygiene and social distancing.  The key message was that the virus did not move; it was moved by people.

Members referred to issues around family groups continuing to visit shops which made social distancing more difficult.  Members noted from their own experience the efficient manner of delivering the vaccine.  There were also examples of great communications from GP practices.  Members noted lower figures for certain areas such as Chesterton, Knutton and Madeley and asked whether this was low take up or lower population.  The Head of Recycling and Fleet explained that there were no particular issues highlighted at the meeting but for the future it would be helpful to receive analytical data that enabled greater scrutiny and clarity.  

Members referred to helpful messages from the Council Communications’ team that were shared by Members to ensure the key issues continued to be reinforced. 

Resolved: that the update be received.

Members considered the Work Programme.   The item on Anti-Social Behaviour had originally been scheduled for this meeting but had been agreed with the Chair and Vice Chair to defer it to June in order not to overload officers and Members and give sufficient time to consider important topics.  The June meeting would also consider the final report from the Scrutiny Review of Parks and Open Spaces.  The September meeting would hear a report from the Newcastle Housing Advice Service following it being brought in-house from April.  Members would also receive the regular update from the CCG meetings with Tracey Shewan and the work that the Borough was undertaking such as use of Covid Marshals in the high streets.

Resolved: that the Work Programme as outlined be approved. 

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

There were no Members of the Public present.    

There were no items of urgent business.