Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th July, 2012, be approved as a correct record.

The Chairman reported that he had given a verbal update to a recent meeting of the Health Select Commission including:-

-        Secretary of Local Pharmaceutical Committee to attend the next Board meeting

-        Chief Executive of Rotherham Hospice to report on End of Life issues and End of Life experience

-        John Wilderspin, National Director, Health and Wellbeing Board Implementation, Department of Health, had attended the last meeting. He had praised the Board for its work to date

-        Visit by the NHS Commissioning Board to look at the CCG authorisation

-        CCG had now appointed 2 Lay Members

The Chairman welcomed Trevor Cooper and Denise Kelly from the Dogs Trust to the meeting.  They gave the following report on the work of the Trust and what the Trust could do for the Authority:-

-        Largest UK charity for dogs and dog owners - “responsible dog ownership”

-        Cared for approximately 16,000 dogs a year and had just opened its 18^th Centre in Loughborough

-        Well funded by members of the public – last year’s budget for responsible dog ownership was £6M

-        50,000 dogs neutered and 100,000 dogs mirochipped free in 2011

-        Estimated 8 million dogs in the country – the vast majority well behaved and responsible dog owners

-        120,000 stray dogs nationally.  The Trust kept a stray dog for 7 days and then had the option of either re-homing or putting to sleep

-        Current Law required dogs, when outside, to wear a collar and tag with the owner’s name and address inscribed, however, owners were reluctant for their address to be visible

-        DEFRA consulted in the Summer on proposals to make it compulsory for puppies to be chipped when sold or given away; the Trust felt that this did not go far enough

-        It was possible to require chipping as a condition of the Tenancy Agreement

-        Trust would provide the microchips so there would be no cost to the tenant of both Council and other social housing.  The dog’s details would be registered on the database.  If they moved house or sold the animal there would be a £10 charge to update the database.  There was no legal requirement to do so but would be of benefit to the Dog Warden Service in helping in the control of dogs

-        A similar partnership arrangement could be arranged for targeted areas e.g. the 11 priority neighbourhoods in the Borough

-        Housing Hartlepool had introduced a Pet Policy in January, 2011, and already seen a reduction in the number of dog related complaints from 76 to 26 and the number of Fixed Penalty Notices reduced from 76 to 47.  There had also been an increase in the number of dogs returned to their owners from 23% to 41%

-        Rotherham initially would be given 400 free microchips with more available as and when required.  Free training would also be offered to anybody who worked for the landlord to carry out the chipping – this should be on a voluntary basis for the member of staff.  All the Trust would need was a building with electricity and water

-        When someone came in to sign Tenancy Agreement the trained member of staff could microchip dog at the same time and importantly be provided with advice on responsible pet ownership

-        Rotherham was in the top 20 local authorities for the number of stray dogs being destroyed and this was a trend based on increased unwanted “status” dogs .  The Trust could visit areas identified by the Authority with its Responsible Dog Ownership Roadshow  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

David Rhodes, Corporate Environmental Manager, submitted the above Strategy and action plan.

The 10 key areas were:-

Strategic Planning and Policy

Built and Natural Environment

Emergency Planning and Recovery, Social Care and Health

Energy and Water

Engagement, Education and Awareness Raising

Housing

Procurement and Resources

Regeneration and Business

Transport

Waste and Recycling

However, due to restructuring and significant changes to funding and staffing across the Council, it was decided to review and refresh the Strategy to bring it up-to-date to reflect new priorities and structures. This was tasked to the Policy Team within Commissioning, Policy and Performance. However this Team had also been subsequently restructured with limited staffing resources within the Policy Unit to take this task forward.

The Chair reported that there was a lot of interest from Elected Members on this issue for which there was no facility for it to be fed into or review what has happening.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the recent progress and the Environment and Climate Change Strategy review be noted.

(2)  That a meeting take place between the Cabinet Member, Director of Commissioning, Policy and Performance, Rotherham Partnership Manager, Community Engagement Manager and the Corporate Environmental Manager to discuss the way forward.

It was noted that this item had been withdrawn due work in progress and further discussions taking place.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 ((Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

ZafarSaleem, Community Engagement Manager, submitted a request to waive Standing Orders to extend the existing contract with Rotherham LINk from 1^st October, 2012 to 31^st March, 2013.

Planning was currently underway to commission a local HealthWatch to act as the new consumer champion for both Health and Social Care with effect from 1^st April, 2013.

It was proposed that the existing contract with Rotherham LINk be extended during the transitional period to allow the commissioning process to be completed and to ensure compliance with the duty to maintain a local LINk as specified by the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

Resolved:-  That the request to waive Standing Order No. 49 (Tender invitation and receipt of tenders) for the delivery of LINks be approved for the period 1^st October, 2012 until 31^st March, 2013.

Catherine Homer, Health Improvement Specialist, Public Health, and Paul Benson, Private Sector Housing Officer, Strategic Housing and Investment, submitted the draft joint Warmer Homes Strategy 2012-15.

The Strategy aimed to build on the foundations and achievements of the 2007-2010 Affordable Warmth Strategy for Rotherham.  It recognised the current financial challenges facing residents and organisations together with changes to legislation and structures that may worsen the issue.  It incorporated an action plan detailing how the main aims would be achieved and who would be responsible for delivering those aims.

The recent consultation on the Housing Strategy had included a commitment for Warmer Homes so feedback would be fed into the document.

A steering group had been established to develop the Strategy and the action plan arising from this would be taken forward.

A bid had been submitted to the Warmer Homes Healthy People Fund; the outcome would be known by 31^st October, 2012, with the funding to be spent by 31^st March, 2013.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the final Strategy be submitted to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).