Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Deputy Billy Dove, Dr Martin Dudley, Deputy Henry Jones, Barbara Newman, Elizabeth Rogula, Virginia Rounding, Adam Richardson, James Tumbridge and Philip Woodhouse

There were no declarations.

To agree the minutes of the previous Committee meeting.

Resolved – that the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

The Committee received a presentation from Madeleine Starr from Carers UK and noted that the City of London Corporation partnered with Carers UK to develop a robust evidence base on carers and caring to underpin a new carers’ strategy for the City. Carers UK carried out a range of consultation and research activities including:

·       a survey of carers and a carer focus group;

·       a survey of key stakeholders and a stakeholder workshop; and

·       an analysis of the demand for care and the availability, makeup and experiences of carers in the City of London, including the impacts they experience on their health and economic activity.

In response to a query, Members were informed that the Care Act 2014 included significant and welcome measures to improve the rights of adults caring for adults, including:

·       A duty to promote their wellbeing;

·       Simpler rights to assessments and parity with cared for;

·       Eligibility set in law;

·       Rights to information and advice, advocacy and preventative services; and

·       A duty to provide services.

Received.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the City Corporation’s priorities for supporting adult carers in the Square Mile for the next three years.

Members noted that the number of carers identified by the Census was significantly higher than those known to services provided by the City Corporation. In 2014/15 the City Corporation assessed the needs of 53 carers – about one in ten of those reported by the Census. Carers who are known to City services were more likely to be those providing higher levels of care (more than 20 hours weekly), those whose caring role is impacting on their health and wellbeing, and those who are older carers.

In response to a query, Members noted that the action plan driving the delivery of this strategy would be reported to and monitored by the Adult Wellbeing Partnership. Its delivery would be the responsibility of the Adult Social Care team and the City’s commissioned providers. In response to a query, Members noted that Carers UK worked in partnership with a number of organisations to help early identification of carers and to help promote their welfare.

Officers informed Members that the Carers’ Allowance was a taxable weekly benefit to help carers look after someone with substantial caring needs; the allowance was covered by the Adult Safeguarding budget. The amount given to each carer was determined on a case by case basis. Officers agreed to provide Members with further information regarding the allowance via email before the next Committee meeting on October.

Resolved – that the Carers’ Strategy 2015-18 be approved.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the Care Act 2014 and the City of London’s work to implement this. Work had been under way at a local and regional level to prepare for the

implementation of funding reforms in April 2016. Much of this work had been

dependent on other organisations such as IT providers developing specific

products to deliver the reforms.

Received.

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee received a report of the Remembrancer regarding the provisions of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, which was introduced in Parliament shortly before the Summer Recess.

The Bill would implement the welfare reforms announced in July’s Budget, including a reduction in the ‘benefit cap’, a five-year freeze in working-age benefits and the

restriction of child tax credits to two children per family. Of most direct concern to

the Committee is a requirement for social housing providers to reduce rents by

one per cent in each of the next four years. Another measure affecting the

Committee is the abolition of statutory duties concerning child poverty. In response to a query from Members, Officers said that updates would be provided to Members of the ward of Portsoken regarding child poverty and the Committee was due to receive an update report later in the year.

Members noted that the City of London Corporation’s Housing Management and Almshouses Sub Committee received regular updates regarding the Welfare Reform Bill and the implications it had on housing within the City.

Received.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor regarding The Ball court in the Churchyard of St Botolph without Bishopsgate which was the responsibility of the City to maintain. The court had reportedly reached a stage where a full resurfacing was required.

In response to a query, Members were informed that Section 106 funding was available to resurface the court and improve the surrounds subject to the provision of times on the court allocated for young people to use the facility. Working in partnership with the Church and the Department of Community & Children’s Services, it was proposed to develop a scheme to carry out the improvement works and improve the promotion of the site. The opportunity would be taken to update the maintenance agreement between the Church and the City of London for this site.

Members agreed that further use of the court during weekends and weeknights should be investigated by officers, to help promote a healthy lifestyle and community inclusion. Officers agreed to liaise with Fusion Lifestyle and St Botolph Bishopsgate regarding this matter.

Resolved – that Members:

· Approved the proposed works, in principle, to resurface the ball court and

improve the court surrounds at the Churchyard of St Botolph without

Bishopsgate

· Delegated authority to the Director of Open Spaces in conjunction with

the Comptroller & City Solicitor to negotiate a new Churchyard

maintenance agreement that includes provision for future maintenance

of the ball court and provide for the old agreement to be of no further

effect.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the progress made during Quarter 1 (Q1 – April to June 2015)

against the refreshed 2015–17 Community and Children’s Services Business Plan.

Received.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the risk management procedures in place within the Department of Community and Children’s Services, which Members found satisfactorily met the requirements of the Corporate Risk Management Framework.

Received.

Verbal Update by Officers from the Department of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the expansion of Sir John Cass’s School. Members were informed that the Town Clerk and Director of Community and Children’s Services had met with the Foundation twice, and both meetings had been very positive. Officers expected to receive a decision from the Foundation regarding the expansion after their Board meeting in October. Members and Officers congratulated the pupils of the school on achieving a high standard of Key Stage 2 results in levels 5 and 6 this year.

Received.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act as follows:-

MOTION – it was agreed that

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous Committee meeting.

Resolved – that the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the Pavillion and Café in the ward of Portsoken.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.