Chair to report.

The Chair outlined the virtual meeting procedure and etiquette to the Committee and attendees.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Barker.

The Chair advised that an informal meeting of Members would be held following the conclusion of the Committee.

(Please telephone the Corporate and Community Services team to prepare a form for your signature before the meeting.  Interests must be re-declared when the item is called, and Councillors must leave the room if necessary).

There were no declarations of interest announced.

Report by Head of Environmental Health and Housing (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health and Housing (circulated previously) regarding an update on Homelessness and the principle of purchasing of individual units of bespoke night by night temporary accommodation for rough sleepers in the form of emergency shelter pods.

The Head of Environmental Health and Housing highlighted the following:

·       On 26 March 2020, the Government had sent a letter to the Chief Executive requesting that the Council seek accommodation for all rough sleepers as a matter of urgency.

·       The Government had also advised that the Council were unable to operate our winter shelter “Safe Sleep” this year.

·       During the peak, the Council received 50 new presentations of homelessness per week.

·       The Council were required to modify the delivery of its service in a Covid safe way and needed to also provide a range of different services including the provision of food, water and medicine.

·       The procurement of accommodation pods had been identified as a potential solution for the provision of temporary accommodation.

·       The Government had recently announced additional £105 million funding available from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government for rough sleeper provision.

·       If the Council was successful in drawing down funding from the Government, approval was sought in principle for the purchase of five shelter pods.

·       Benefits of procuring shelter pods were outlined in the report and would ensure the wellbeing of extremely vulnerable individuals.

Councillor Worden expressed his appreciation to the Service Lead for Housing Vulnerable Persons and her team and the Head of Environmental Health and Housing for their work.

In response to questions, the Service Lead for Housing Vulnerable Persons and Head of Environmental Health and Housing advised the following:

·       The accommodation pods had a small slimline window to allow some light.  The pods were purely for sleeping purposes and would only be accessed at night.

·       The revenue budget for the delivery of the homelessness service would be used to pay the £500 maintenance costs for each pod.  This would also be enhanced by housing benefits.

·       Positive discussions had taken place with third parties regarding the location of the pods.  Council land may also be used to accommodate one or two pods.

·       Once potential locations had been identified a dialogue would be held with relevant stakeholders.  The specific locations of the pods would not be reported to the Committee.

·       The Service Lead had been successful in drawing down funding from Central Government for rough sleepers and had set up an inter-agency  team consisting of representatives from health, adult and social services.  This set up was unique and was a really good way of providing a holistic core service.

·       Many homeless individuals had been provided with accommodation by the Council and many had now been moved into permanent accommodation, which was a massive achievement for the team.

·       The Council received 1 – 2 cases of rough sleeper per week, which showed the pressures that many people were now under.

·       The demand for temporary accommodation had doubled during the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 150.

Report by Conservation Officer (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Conservation Officer (circulated previously) regarding the allocation of Section 106 Conservation funds arising from the development of Fremington Army Camp towards the Fremington Quay Wall Repair Project Phase 1.

The Conservation Officer highlighted the following:

·         When the redevelopment of Fremington Army Camp was approved in 2014, the approval was subject to a section 106 agreement contribution of £30,000 for “Conservation Area Contribution”. 

·         The Council received the contribution in December 2015.  The contribution needed to be spent within five years of the date of receipt.

·         The original intention was that the fund would be spent within the Fremington Village Conservation Area which included the Army Camp. 

·         The most suitable target for the money was the grade II listed walled garden and gazebo, however following discussions with the owners it had not been possible to instigate the repair work within the required timescale.

·         An alternative use for the funding had been identified at Fremington Quay, which was just to the east of the Army Camp development.  It was a separate Conservation Area, however the developer who made the contribution and the Parish Council have confirmed that they no objection to the slight variation.

·         The Quay wall bordered the informal car parking area to the north of the café, and there was a slipway at the northern end.  South of the slipway, sections of the stone facing to the Quay structure built wall have bellied out and collapsed on to the beach.  This had resulted in water getting in to the main wall.  Repair works were urgently necessary to prevent further deterioration to the structure and keep it safe.

·         This would be the first phase of the work.  Further funding would be required for the next phase.

Report by Project, Procurement and Open Space Officer (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Project, Procurement and Open Space Officer (circulated previously) regarding the allocation of section 106 public open space funds towards one project in Kings Nympton.

The Project, Procurement and Open Space Officer highlighted the following:

·       The Council had recently provided section 106 public open space funds to Kings Nympton Parish Council to undertake improvement works at the playing field in Kings Nympton.  These works included improvements to access to the playing field by installing a hardstanding concrete footpath.

·       Kings Nympton Parish Council have in collaboration with the Friends of Kings Nympton school, the pre-school and Mother and Toddler Group to gather research on a range of play equipment that would benefit the community.  As part of this community consultation a zip wire had been identified as the preferred option.

·       The Parish Council had obtained quotes.  The financial details were detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report.  The remaining amount would be funded by the Playing Field Committee and any overspend would be met by the Parish Council.

To note the urgent decisions that have been made by the Chief Executive in accordance with paragraph 3.48, Annexe 2, Part 3 of the Constitution (attached).  

The Committee noted the urgent decisions that had been made by the Chief Executive in accordance with paragraph 3.48, Annexe 2, Part 3 of the Constitution (circulated previously) regarding two decisions in relation to the Barnstaple pedestrian and cycle route improvements and a decision relating to urgent works to Lynmouth Esplanade sea wall.

It was noted that Councillor Lofthouse as Ward Member had received notification on 20 May 2020 giving the options and not 19 May 2020.