Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 September 2020, as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Resolved:-

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 September 2020, be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

The Chair confirmed that no questions from members of the press or public had been submitted.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

The Chair advised that there were no items of business on the agenda that would require the exclusion of the press or public from the meeting.

To receive a report and presentation in respect of national, regional, and local economic recovery initiatives.

Consideration was given to a briefing and presentation regarding economic recovery plans at the national, regional, and local level. The presentation incorporated data visualisations illustrating the economic impact of COVID-19. The presentation further covered the key priorities for approximately the next 18 months.

The presentation illustrated the upward trend in benefits claimants; meanwhile, the number of job advertisements trends downward nationally. Several National Schemes to help alleviate the economic crisis were listed. It was noted that some businesses have fallen through the cracks as far as being eligible for available aid, which could be partially offset by the Council’s Discretionary Business Grants. The Council has several active bids for funding from Central Government: £1 million requested from Town’s Fund Accelerated Funding; £33.6 million allocated to Sheffield City Region from Getting Building Fund, and £40 million allocated to Sheffield City Region from Brownfield Housing Fund.

At a regional level, The Sheffield City Region Renewal Action Plan has requested £1.72 billion from central government to support investment in renewal of skills and expertise so that people can find and stay in work; in employers’ ability to survive, adapt and thrive; and in job creation to reduce inequality.

In terms of local response, the Council has made Economic Recovery one of the five priority strands of the Year Ahead Plan. The Council has administered Government grants, which has included paying out over £44 million in grants to local businesses, through the Council’s finance team—including over £2.5 million in discretionary grants to those who missed out on other recovery schemes. The local response also continues coordinating local intelligence and response, delivering major projects, reopening the town centre, developing the response to emerging funding opportunities and co-ordinating with Sheffield City Region to inform and develop the Renewal Action Plan. The presentation also identified transportation schemes which will bring jobs to the area.

In discussion, clarification was requested around variations in grant amounts. The response conveyed that larger businesses with larger running costs draw down larger grants. It was noted that all businesses were able to apply for these grants if they had experienced a loss of income because of the pandemic.

Regarding the various funding packages available, Members requested clarification of how the Towns Fund was allocated. Also, assurrances were sought that Rotherham would receive its fair share of the money allocated to Sheffield City Region. In response, Officers summarised where the grants were as of the date of the meeting in their various stages of applications and bidding. Specifically, the Future High Street Fund has gone to the final bid stage and is expected to be announced next month. Some of the funding relies on the funding cycle and the City Region. Cabinet agreed we would be submitting to the cohort in January regarding the Towns Fund.

Further reassurance was also requested regarding businesses missed by relief schemes. Regarding the support available for benefits claimants and those who cannot claim, Officers cited the strand of the renewal action plan that supports people to overcome  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

To receive a report in respect of the Council’s progress toward changing energy providers.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the Council’s proposed scheme to reduce the number of households in the Borough that pay high tariffs for gas and electricity. This was part of the Council’s efforts to reduce fuel poverty. In 2019, the Council went out to tender to secure a partner to deliver the scheme, and Robin Hood Energy (RHE) was awarded the contract in September. In the end, however, the contract could not be agreed formally because RHE could not deliver the specifications. Insights garnered through this process informed subsequent amendments to the specifications, as the Council tried again to tender a partner to deliver the scheme. Cabinet gave permission in July.

Finding a partner to help deliver the scheme was noted as the best way to reach a high number of residents with cheaper tariffs. At the same time as going back out to the market, the team also prepared a secondary plan for delivering the scheme without a partner if a suitable one could not be found. This way, the team was able to ascertain what would be possible to provide internally as well as from external partners. Since July, the primary focus had been on the retendering exercise, and on a smart meter scheme to maximise benefits especially to residents over 65 years of age. At the time of the meeting, the team was currently still assessing whether any compliant bids had been received.

In discussion, Members sought clarification whether Options 1 and 2 would be counterintuitive. The response averred that the Community Energy Scheme includes supporting smart meter conversion for residents over 65, but this scheme, which runs out in the coming months, can feed directly into whichever scheme the Council ultimately implements.

Members also hoped to hear more about the kinds of actions that would make practical implementation of Option 2 work. The response from officers conveyed that if the scheme were so popular that it could not be managed by one person, a second person would be recruited. The scheme would be supported at that scale of demand as required.

Members also inquired about retention of customers if the scheme available is not the most inexpensive for the customers; therefore, some unique draw might be provided to help keep subscribers. In response, Officers noted that any customers who signed up would not be put on a standard variable rate, but would have the advantage of being moved onto a best available tariff rate. Discounts were not possible because of volatility in the market.

Members requested further clarification around the amendments to the specifications and contract timing. Elements that no energy company would likely comply with had had to be discarded. One such specification that been discarded was that the provider be among the top 20 suppliers across the country. Some criteria like these were deleted, others added to make the contract more attractive to potential suppliers. Contract timing is multifaceted and therefore a length of contract could not be stipulated. The partner would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

This agenda item has been withdrawn following consultation with the Chair.

This item was withdrawn in consultation with the Chair and the Head of Democratic Services.

To receive an update briefing in respect of the goals and scrutiny projects outlined in the agreed Work Programme.

Consideration was given to an update in respect of progress against the agreed work programme. Recent recommendations have led to the formation of a sub-group of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board with examines call centre communications. It was also noted that a new sub-group had been formed at the request of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board in respect of Building Use. It was further noted that recommendations from the Major Incident Plan Review Sub-group would be reported at the next meeting. Further, a call for membership was made regarding the upcoming Building Use, Flood Alleviation, and Homes Allocation sub-groups.

Resolved:-

1.    That the updated work programme be approved.

To consider any item which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair advised that there were no urgent items of business requiring the Commission’s consideration.

The next virtual meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission will take place on 8 December 2020, commencing at 1.30 pm.

Resolved:-

That the next virtual meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission will take place on 8 December 2020, commencing at 1.30 pm.