Agenda item

To consider the Council’s performance in 2018/19 relative to its five-year plan, discussed at the Executive on 20 June 2019 and to make any observations.

The Committee considered a report on the Council’s performance relative to its five-year plan in the 2018-19 municipal year which had been discussed at the Executive on 20 June 2019.

Leader, Councillor Mark Brunt, introduced the report. He highlighted some key facts such as the excellent work of the family support programme which had a positive impact on families it worked with and the work on the refugee programme.

There were a number of questions and comments on the report, relating to the following topics:

·       Investment in businesses – the report noted that the Harlequin theatre was part of the local business sector that was supported by the Council. Members asked how the Council awarded grants to support the role of the local Council and the public sector and did this include voluntary and community services?

The Leader highlighted the work of Councillor Humphreys and the Head of Economic Prosperity and his team. Recent business awards had showcased thriving local businesses who appreciated the support from the borough including the grants programme. This programme has helped start-up businesses to grow and the £1000 grants have made a big difference to small organisations. If voluntary and faith sectors have innovative business ideas then the Council can look to see if they qualify for grants. It was identified that the Council supported businesses not just with money but with a monthly newsletter, lunch and learn sessions once a month that allowed networking. It was described as “a hidden gem” and it was keen to expand the approach and work with other boroughs across Surrey. A key part is working with the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The Leader said that he was due to be appointed to the LEP board in October to represent this borough and the nine boroughs and districts around Gatwick.

It was identified that it was a difficult time for businesses. Canon had announced that due to consolidation of its offices it was sadly closing in Reigate. However, Fidelity conversely was looking to expand. How could the Council support and encourage those larger businesses as well as smaller businesses? Continued engagement with businesses, highlighting what makes the Borough a great place to work was important. The area has a vibrant economy but it is shrinking as businesses are changing. For example, less office space was needed as people worked from home two or three days a week. The Council needs to adapt to this, look through the changing ways of work and have supportive services and policies in place.

·       Money Support Team – it was identified that the Council had supported families but little was known about the work done by the team and the services offered. Members asked for more information about this service.

·       Temporary emergency accommodation – it was noted that the provision of council-owned temporary emergency accommodation in Horley had been very successful and had saved the Council money as well as improved support to residents. Could this be expanded to the north of the borough as if people have to move, then employment and schooling places could be lost?  Demand would be kept under review and discussions regarding future provision would take this into consideration.

·       Introduction of Universal Credit – it was identified that this could have an adverse effect on claimants and Members asked how the Council has worked with families to prepare for changes.

The Director of People Services said that the roll out of Universal Credit had only just started. It would be rolled out over the next two and a half years and the Council would not see the full impact until it is finally implemented. At the moment the numbers were quite small – 15 to 20 a month. The Money Support Team was formed from the preparation work that had been carried out to be ready for the introduction of Universal Credit. More information could be provided to Members.

The Borough had lobbied the DWP hard on the question of debt. The Council had limited powers but it could get money to people more quickly in certain circumstances. It has its own schemes for rent deposits and can work with residents to assist them if needed.

The DWP has said that Universal Credit will be rolled out over two years but the council does not have a timetable as yet. Members requested that they be informed when the main rollout starts.

·       Fraud and Universal Credit – Members raised this issue which had been reported in the news. They asked what support was given to ensure that vulnerable people were not exploited. Members also asked how the Council helped those less fortunate get back into work. It was identified that the Council worked with the DWP to tackle fraud and carried out financial checks on those people who wanted to join the housing register, or presented as homeless, which had saved the organisation significant amounts of money. Its in-house expertise was used by other authorities. Community development workers also shared information with other agencies about loan sharks and others preying on vulnerable residents.

One aim of the Family Support Team was to reduce reliance on benefits. However, they were working with families with multiple and complex problems such as mental health and addiction issues. It monitored numbers who got back into work and worked closely with partners to get individuals ready for the world of work.

·       Dementia Action Alliance – Members asked if this was still running as NHS and other funding was drying up. It was confirmed that the Council was still taking part in supporting dementia-related activity and organisations directly providing support.  Its role was to support and encourage their work. It was not the Council’s area of expertise and it did not deliver direct services but supported those organisations.

·        Wellbeing prescriptions – it was identified that wellbeing prescriptions operating in the south of the Borough had been very successful and has been taken up by GPs. It had looked at providing a similar service in the north of the Borough but the amount of funding on offer was not sufficient to operate it.
 

·       Children and mental health – the Council worked with a number of organisations such as Heads Together to provide mental health support in schools. It was recognised as a growing problem and more funding was needed. In one area there was only nine months of funding as Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) had cut funding. The numbers who needed services was going up and it was identified that this was an issue that should be tackled well before a child is 14 to help improve a young person’s way of life.

·       Affordable homes – it was noted that the Council needed to secure more affordable homes and to take a more active role. Only about five per cent of homes that had been built were affordable. How was performance measured?  It was identified that it was frustrating for the Council as developers’ lawyers often justified why they could not afford to build affordable homes. The Council was looking to change its approach as discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny meeting on 6 June 2019. It was delivering 100 affordable homes a year but the Leader said it should be aiming to double that target.

RESOLVED – that the Council’s performance in 2018/19 relative to its Five Year Plan be noted.