Agenda and minutes

The Chair, Councillor Jane Kidd declared an Interest in the agenda items been considered due to her working for a voluntary organisation.

[A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up

to 5 members of the public on matters within the

Committee’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be

considered or contribute towards the future development of

the Committee’s work programme].

No public statements were made at the meeting.

The Chair of the Committee welcomed the Chief Executive of St Leger Homes of Doncaster to the meeting.

In response to questions raised the following areas were discussed:

Performance Improvement – It was reported there was confidence that performance would improve across the board. However there were still some legacy issues relating to the Pandemic and the service needed to maintain safe working practices which makes some of the methods of working more time consuming.. It was also noted that some  services were also experiencing instances of customer anxiety particularly in relation to the lettings process and people pulling out of the properties offered.

In terms of impact on the services, Members were advised that particularly in relation to repairs, electrical testing had to be stalled for this year as undertaking this work whilst maintaining social distancing within a property was not practical.

It was reported that the biggest challenge for the service had been homelessness. Members were advised that by looking at the report, the service had accommodated a large number of people over the last 9 months, which far outweighed anything done previously and it was envisaged that this activity would not change in the immediate future. The service were anticipating significant further pressure with regard to homelessness over this coming year. It was also anticipated that next  issue to be faced was the end of the furlough scheme and its impacts on poverty.

Members were advised that the 3 main challenges facing the service going forward would be:-

1.         Homelessness

2.         Rent collection; and

3.         Void turnaround (although optimistic this will be in a better position in          the new financial year).

In terms of the adapting service delivery in quarter 3 and lockdown, Members were advised that working practices were already in place from quarter 1, so not much changed in terms of service delivery when lock down commenced. Members noted that lock down did suspend a range of activities including repairs and lettings. However, from quarter 3 the service was back on track albeit some legacy issues around ensuring social distancing guidance was adhered to still remained. Some of those social distancing measures had since relaxed which has allowed the service to expedite work more quickly and enabled lettings to get back on track.

With regard to successes, it was suggested that the accommodation of 100+ people wase a success for the service. This was far and above previous performance, and managing that volume of activity was a real success and the team worked incredibly hard to achieve it.

Obtaining better data on asbestos in properties. St Leger had instigated a full Refurbishment &Demolition survey at the point of a property being void to ensure the service were aware of where asbestos is located. However, there was a substantial backlog on voids and with the added asbestos investigations this had led to a further 10-15 day delay in void turnaround. This activity was suspended in November 2020 to ensure  voids turnaround times were back on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The Committee gave consideration to the report by addressing the following issues:

Increase in number of referrals – It was asked whether officers saw this trend continuing as it moves from Quarter 4 and beyond and how will it be managed as schools are set to re-open and restrictions lifted. In response, it was reported that the service like others find themselves in unchartered territory due to the pandemic. However, officers stated that schools had remained open throughout for vulnerable children. It was advised that demand was tracked on a daily basis. It was envisaged by the Trust that there would not be another upturn albeit there may be a spike of referrals in March but these would be felt throughout the year and into the next and officers did not foresee this being a challenge.

Out of authority placements – In terms of progress made in reducing costs associated with out of area placements, there was a number of strands to this:-

(1)       Increase capacity of Residential offer – It was reported that despite Covid, it had stabilised. However, officers suggested that things will remain volatile for some time and the Trust will respond to the best interests for the children.

(2)       Increased Number of Doncaster Foster Carers – Members were advised that reliance on Independent Foster Carers had reduced and the Trust were utilising more of the in house providers and as lockdown eases this will allow the Trust to carry out a more outreach approach. It was noted that on 19 March, the 5th Mockingbird programme was installed which provides support for more complex needs. Officers advised that there had been an issue with identifying appropriate properties. However due diligence had been followed to ensure properties were in the right location and a number of additional checks were made. It was highlighted that the property market was buoyant and the stamp duty exemption has been welcomed. The Trust work closely with Planning, who have been very responsive so efforts to seek properties will continue.

(3)       St Leger – Pathway for Care Leavers – It was reported that the Trust are working with St Leger Homes on a pathway to help care leavers secure their own property when transitioning to adulthood.

Discussion took place on the Future Placement Strategy and when the Trust would be back on track in terms of securing properties. It was reported that as soon as properties become available, continued efforts will be made to access these. It was noted that revised dates were contained within the MTFS statement. However, the largest influence is the current market condition and over the next 3 years the MTFS has reasonable targets set to recognise this.t.

With regard to workforce, Members sought information on how staff have been supported to manage the increased work load and how this will be managed moving forward. Officers advised members that a staff survey conducted, that staff felt supported in their roles and as well as providing the support in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The Director of Corporate Resources presented the report to Committee, which set out a range of service standards and contained a commentary in terms of the activities that the Council had undertaken and its financial position. It was noted that going forward the report for the next quarter will incorporate a section specifically in relation to the Environment Strategy recently approved by Full Council and a deep dive in relation to Covid and the impact on service delivery.

It was reported that the report demonstrates, that is has been a really challenging period over the last 12 months. However, the Council had a balanced position in terms of performance. Whilst there were some areas where performance had deteriorated and there remains challenges, on balance the Council e managed to maintain service standards and also deliver a balanced budget.

A number of questions were put to officers and answered as follows:-

In relation to delivering a balanced budget, it was asked what the key risks were. In response, it was reported that the Council were managing costs keenly whilst also during managing to deliver savings.In the main the Council are on track to deliver the key changes set as part of last year’s budget. Members were advised that the Council has also receiveda lot of income of through Government grants. Sales and fees charges have been reimbursed albeit not entirely as the reimbursement mechanism has a floor and ceiling, so the Council still has a cost pressure as a result of those losses of income and the most significant area that has needed attention is the Collection Fund. It was noted that the Council is predominantly funded through the collection of tax and business rates and this needs to be monitored regularly in order to make sure that the Council are taking appropriate actions and wherever possible and in a sympathetic way make sure that people are on track in terms of their direct debit payments..

In relation to the Collection Fund detailed on Paragraph 99 of the report, it was asked what the long term implications were and what actions were in place to improve the Councils position. It was reported that non-collection of business rates had been built into the budget and this needed to be monitored in terms of further announcements on business rate relief.

Issues were  raised in relation to the increase in Free School Meals whether this was likely to continue, how the Council was managing this  and what does it tell us about the employment and stability of the local economy?

In response, it was clear that free schools meals was a barometer of a wider environment consequence, so people are eligible to free school meals when they are on benefits. Doncaster has seen an increase in the number of people claiming Universal Credit which in turn has increased eligibility for free school meals. It was advised that the question was around how the economy is going to bounce back as the stages of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The Chair presented the updated work plan and identified a number of issues raised during the meeting which may help inform the work plan moving forward, these included:

Lack of large properties for families and who may have disabled members of the family

1.    Holiday activities for children and how these are accessed

2.    Increased burden on carers – potential reduction in workforce

3.    Economic Impacts of Covid – how that effects peoples income

4.    Fly-tipping/littering – communication requires improvement in engaging with communities and them becoming involved.

5.    Careers Service and advice for schoolchildren

6.    Councillors On-line and its effectiveness

7.    The impact on Children’s attainment following the lockdown

8.    St Leger Homes priorities

9.    Free school meals

10. Children’s Services Trust

11. Mental Health issues and how these are being addressed

12. Domestic Abuse (on-going)

Each of the Panel Chair’s went on to highlight possible topics to be discussed at future meetings. It was noted that as well as looking at future items and how overview and scrutiny can contribute to those topics Members will also be looking at the quarter performance improvements reports.

            RESOLVED that the workplan and Forward Plan be noted.