Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Sheila Kirkland submitted apologies for absence.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23(j), Councillor Jo Randall attended as a substitute on behalf of Councillor Sheila Kirkland.

In accordance with the revised local Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda.  Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and they must withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.

If that DPI has not been registered, the councillor must notify the Monitoring Officer of the details of the DPI within 28 days of the date of the meeting.

Councillor Philip Brooker declared a personal interest as Chairman of Guildford Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Councillor Adrian Chandler declared a personal interest as his family had used Guildford Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Councillor Gordon Jackson declared a personal interest as Chairman of Ash Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Councillor Jennifer Jordan declared a personal interest as a volunteer at TALK and at Canterbury Care Centre.

Councillor Caroline Reeves declared a personal interest as a trustee of Guildford Action.

Councillor Angela Gunning declared a personal interest as her husband is in a care home.

To confirm the minutes of the Executive Advisory Board meeting held on

The minutes of the meeting held on 07 September 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

(Presentation)

The Lead Councillor for Social Welfare, Heritage and the Arts explained that the arts development strategy sought to increase participation by highlighting the importance of art, and helping this Council to identify and secure resources. The budget for arts development was limited, and meant that partnership working was essential. A consultation exercise looked at how to maximise reach by identifying gaps in provision, considering what prevented people from taking part, and identifying ways to maximise resources. This Council was keen to support local artists, particularly with networking and information sharing, but also with their development. Guildford had a vibrant arts community, but there was still scope to provide additional support for developing opportunities for young people, and ensuring opportunities reached across communities throughout the borough.

The Arts Officer reported that a cross-party Project Board had been responsible for the development of the draft strategy. Public consultation took place between 23 June and 28 July 2017 using a flexible approach to engage with as many people as possible. The aim of the strategy was to encourage more people to take part in activities, and highlight barriers to people taking part. The Arts Officer gave examples of projects, including FISH (fun in the school holidays), which involved around 300 young people each year, and The Big Draw, which had involved ten different partners, with workshops in Ash, Bellfields and Newlands Corner, as well as Guildford town centre. Officers had also been working with Oakleaf and Waverley Borough Council to provide singing sessions for people with mental health issues.

Key findings from the consultation were that respondents thought that this Council led on all arts within the borough, but did not understand the work of the arts officers. An action was included within the draft strategy to remedy this. The consultation also showed that there was an appetite for partnership working. The draft strategy was due to be launched in January 2018. 

The Board complimented officers on their achievements and commended the strategy to the Executive.

The Head of Health and Community Care Services provided an update on the current financial and demographic environment in relation to elderly services, and an overview of key issues.

The Board heard that the elderly population in Guildford was projected to increase substantially over the next decade, and services would need to be planned around this. The Board received an overview of the roles and responsibilities of this Council in terms of the delivery of services to the elderly, the framework for which was outlined in the Later Life Strategy, approved by this Council in 2010. Services to the community, including the elderly, were also provided through the voluntary sector, and private providers. The Head of Health and Community Care Services informed the Board that the Surrey Heartlands Sustainability Transformation Plan Board had responsibility for ensuring that services to improve the health and care of the local population were integrated, and the Better Care Fund was designed to facilitate changes to the way health and social care were delivered.

The Board was provided with details of the this Council’s services for the elderly, and heard that regular service reviews were undertaken to ensure efficiency. Services were designed around local need, and were held in high regard. They also compared well against services provided across other boroughs in Surrey. A database of vulnerable residents was held by this Council, but it was predicated on residents who were in receipt of services. The Board suggested that parish councils and community wardens be consulted as they may be able to provide information on other vulnerable elderly residents, particularly those in rural areas who were not connected into systems, so were not necessarily receiving services such as meals on wheels.

The Head of Health and Community Care Services suggested some issues that the Board may wish to consider. These included future funding and services, service changes, partners, customer expectations, technology development, the development of community resilience, and the merits of a trading company for the delivery of services.

The Head of Health and Community Care Services confirmed that officers had sought feedback from customers, and would continue to do so. Information came from different sources, including clients, relatives and professionals. Issues could be addressed through regular meetings with Surrey County Council.

The Board heard that a corporate review of voluntary grants was under way, and it was likely that this would result in some changes to the way that services to the elderly were organised. Charging for services was an option for consideration, but it was important to ensure that the future viability of services was not jeopardised as a result. Likewise, a trading company could be set up, but the benefits of doing so would be dependent on how it was structured, and if it required subsidising, it might not save any money.  More work was required on this, with a further report and discussion following the review of grants process.

The Board’s attention was drawn to a recently launched report from  ...  view the full minutes text for item S25

(presentation)

The Lead Councillor for Housing and Environment informed the Board that the air quality strategy had been developed by the air quality task and finish group, and an action plan to support the strategy had been produced in collaboration with the group. The strategy was ambitious, but realistic, and its implementation would be monitored annually through the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Finances and resources had been allocated for all current activities within the strategy, and key performance indicators had been agreed.

The Environmental Health Manager informed the Board that a local monitoring network was in place to measure air quality. Exceedances had been recorded at Compton, and some work had already been done in connection with this, including research into traffic volume and source apportionment. This Council had a memorandum of understanding with its planning department to allow effective use of planning conditions to improve air quality. Green scheme parking fees had been introduced in council car parks for electric vehicles, and a parking app had been developed to direct users to the closest and cheapest spaces. Community wardens were providing education in communities to change behaviours, and services were being taken out into communities to reduce car journeys to Millmead. This Council had been working with partners to produce air quality modelling of Surrey for PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and to comply with nitrogen dioxide air quality limits on the A331. In addition, this Council was working with other local authorities, land managers, and highway authorities to develop a framework to monitor forecast improvements in roadside air quality around the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area to confirm that forecast improvements were being delivered and, if required, to identify and deliver supplementary measures.

The Environmental Health Manager outlined some of the projects this Council would be looking at over the short term to improve air quality. These included the adoption of the air quality strategy, and the declaration of an air quality management area in Compton. Home, mobile, remote and flexible working would be facilitated and promoted for this Council’s officers, and alternative travel methods promoted amongst its workforce. This Council also planned to participate in a University of Surrey European project to raise citizen awareness about air quality and the impact of green infrastructure to reduce air pollution and improve health and well-being. This Council was also exploring ways to discourage drivers from keeping their engines running whilst waiting at level crossings.

The Environmental Health Manager informed the Board that over the medium term, this Council would be looking to set a positive example through its lease car policy and fleet vehicle procurement process. A policy would be created to cover officers’ travel to meetings, seminars and training courses and there would be a service delivery review to further reduce public journeys to this Council’s properties where appropriate. An electric vehicle charging strategy would be adopted, and other employers would be encouraged to introduce travel plans. This Council also planned to work in partnership with local bus companies to  ...  view the full minutes text for item S26

The update report was noted.

To consider and approve the EAB’s draft work programme.  Details of future Executive decisions are included.  

The work programme was noted by the Board.