Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received for Councillor Griffin.

Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

No interests were disclosed.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

The action notes from the previous meeting were acknowledged.

The group discussed the Mallard Festival that took place on September 7^th and September 8^th 2013. It was raised that there was no knowledge of a timetable for events. The Strategic Director (Communities and Environment Focus) informed the Committee that Councillors would receive an email with the timetable before the event and that there were ongoing events across the town as part of the festival. 

The group discussed bin and collection policy as discussed in the previous meeting. The Community Engagement and Policy Development Officer informed the group that the authority could fine residents for incorrect waste in bins but it was discouraged by central government and fining should only be used as a last resort. There would be emphasis on education rather than punishment by fines.

It was raised that some authorities ran a scheme where residents can put 30mph stickers on their bins to remind motorists of the speed limit. One Councillor asked whether this authority might consider introducing such a scheme and whether any policy was in place to support such a scheme. It was confirmed that there was no specific policy for such an issue. It was noted that an official response would be given to the PDG regarding this query. The PDG discussed that promotion of the speed limit could lead to business promotion and residents leaving bins outside permanently which would leave them open to abuse or increased litter in the street.

ACTION: The Community Engagement and Policy Development Officer to research the issue.

It was discussed that there were concerns about bin-men contaminating waste. The Strategic Director (Communities and Environment Focus) confirmed that any contaminated waste would be rejected and that dates and information about the vehicle that residents were concerned about would be required so the authority could monitor the situation.  

Report number TSE0057 by the Service Manager, Housing Management.(Enclosure)

The Service Manager for Housing Management presented the draft Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for consideration by the PDG.  This was a new policy for the authority to compliment the Multi-agency Policy and Procedures for Lincolnshire produced by Lincolnshire County Council’s Adult Safeguarding Board.

The Service Manager for Housing Manager explained that although this authority had no statutory duty to comply with the terms of the LCC document it did have a moral and social duty to uphold its principles and relevant procedures.

The Service Manager went on to inform the group that there had been an increase in vulnerable adults in housing therefore it was necessary to have procedures in place. All staff would be trained with regard to safeguarding adults which was supported by senior management. It was queried if councillors would be trained and confirmed that  training similar to that provided with regard to safeguarding children would be introduced as part of the induction process for elected members.

Members requested that an information link to the Data Protection Act be incorporated into appendix C of the document to give officers further information relating to Section 9 on Information Sharing.

The group discussed the language of the policy. The group noted that there was a difference in judging and making a judgement. It was agreed that the key was to avoid being judgemental but to make a clear judgement if informing services of any possible issues. Members requested that a change in terminology on page 13 to reflect this discussion.

It was raised that on page 10 item 10 of the report a link to the policies discussed – i.e. Complaints and Whistleblowing would be useful to officers.

The issue of obtaining consent and referring an individual without consent was discussed. It was noted that if an individual is mentally competent then without their consent another individual is unable to refer them onto another agency.

One councillor requested that the bullet point in item 12.1 which related to “referring without consent if it is necessary to prevent a crime” be changed to reflect specifically that this meant a crime against an adult at risk.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

The PDG was informed that the format of the work programme was being changed. A new Decision Bulletin document was being piloted to share information on Cabinet decisions taken following recommendations put forward by the PDG.  These bulletins would help form the discussion under the agenda item “Updates from previous meetings” and link into the agenda item “feedback from the Executive”.

The meeting closed at 3.50pm.