EXECUTIVE
12TH MAY 2008
REMINDER – THOSE MEMBERS IN RECEIPT OF
BROADBAND ARE REMINDED TO BRING THEIR LAPTOPS
TO THIS MEETING AS PAPER COPIES WILL NOT BE
PROVIDED.
MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO DOWNLOAD
THE AGENDA ON TO THEIR LAPTOPS IN ADVANCE OF THE
MEETING. FOR ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT ICT ON THE
HELPDESK NUMBER 01246 242456
PROVIDING ACCESS FOR ALL
If you need help understanding any of our documents or
require a larger print, audio tape copy or a translator to
help you, we can arrange this for you. Please contact us
on the telephone numbers provided:
01246 242407 or 01246 242323.
Other Equalities information is available on our web site.
www.bolsover.gov.uk or by e-mail from [email address]
Minicom:
01246 242450
Fax: 01246 242423
Date: 1st May 2008
Dear Sir or Madam,
You are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of the Executive of the
Bolsover District Council to be held in the Council Chamber, Sherwood Lodge,
Bolsover, on Monday 12th May 2008 at 1000 hours.
Members are reminded that under Section 51 of the Local Government Act
2000 the Bolsover Code of Conduct was adopted by the Council on 3rd April
2002. It is a Councillor's duty to familiarise him or herself with the rules of
personal conduct by which Councillors must conduct themselves in public life.
In addition, Members should review their personal circumstances on a regular
basis with these rules in mind and bearing in mind the matters listed on the
Agenda for discussion at this meeting.
Copies of the Bolsover Code of Conduct for Members will be available for
inspection by any Member at the meeting.
Register of Members' Interest - Members are reminded that a Member must
within 28 days of becoming aware of any changes to their interests under
paragraph 14 or 15 of the Code of Conduct provide written notification to the
Authority's Monitoring Officer.
Members are reminded of the provisions of Section 106 of the Local
Government Finance Act 1992 and the responsibility of Members to make a
declaration at this meeting if affected by the Section and not to vote on any
matter before this meeting which would have an affect on the Council's
budget.
You will find the contents of the agenda itemised on page 84.
Yours faithfully,
Chief Executive Officer
To:
Chairman & Members of the Executive
Tel 01246 242424
Fax 01246 242423
Minicom 01246 242450
Text 07729 421737
Email [Bolsover District Council request email]
Web www.bolsover.gov.uk
Chief Executive Officer: Wes Lumley, B.Sc.,F.C.C.A.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
COMMITTEE -
EXECUTIVE
DATE - 12TH MAY 2008
NAME OF MEMBER - ____________________________________________
Levels of Interest
1.
Personal
2.
Personal and prejudicial
AGENDA ITEM
SUBJECT
LEVEL OF INTEREST
Signed
Dated
Note
*
Completion of this form is to aid the accurate recording of your interest
in the minutes only. This form, duly signed, should be provided to the
Clerk at the commencement of the meeting
*
A nil return is not required.
*
It is still your responsibility to disclose any interests which you may
have at the commencement of the meeting.
1
EXECUTIVE
Minutes of a meeting of the Executive of the Bolsover District Council held in the
Council Chamber, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover, on Monday, 7th April 2008 at 1000
hours.
PRESENT:-
Members:-
Councillor A.F. Tomlinson – in the Chair
Councillors J.E. Bennett, K. Bowman, A.J. Hodkin, B. Huddless, D. Kelly,
D. McGregor and B.R. Murray-Carr.
Officers:-
W. Lumley (Chief Executive Officer), S. Tomlinson (Director of Strategy), J. Ireland
(Chief Finance Officer), S. Sternberg (Solicitor to the Council) (from Minute No. 888),
P. Horsfield (Principal Solicitor) (until Minute No. 887), D. Eccles (Head of
Regeneration), D. Bonsor (Housing Needs Manager) (until Minute No. 883),
G. Galloway (Repairs Manager) (from Minute No. 886), F. Bacon (Head of Revenue
Services (from Minute No. 884), R. Owen (Senior Valuer) (from Minute No. 888) and
A. Brownsword (Democratic Services Officer).
881.
APOLOGY
An apology for absence was received from Councillor E. Watts.
882.
URGENT ITEM OF BUSINESS
The Chairman consented to the following urgent item of business being considered
under the provisions of Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.
PART 1 – OPEN ITEMS
Housing Needs Survey
883.
HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY
The Housing Needs Manager presented a report giving details of four Housing
Needs Surveys that were to be carried out in conjunction with the sub regional
partners.
Moved by Councillor K. Bowman and seconded by Councillor D. Kelly.
RESOLVED that (1) the Executive agree that the decision is an urgent one and
should not, therefore, be subject to call-in, as provided for in Scrutiny
Rule 16 and consented to by the Chairman of the Council,
2
EXECUTIVE
(2) the Council contribute £25,000 to complete a joint sub-regional
Housing Needs Survey, to be met from the Housing Needs Survey
reserve,
(3) the Council contribute the balance of the Strategic Housing
Market Assessment fund for the same survey (£2,375),
(4) the Council acts as ‘fundholder’ for the neighbouring authorities
and enter into contract with the selected consultants,
(5) the Council contribute £7,500 to the Feasibility Study from the
Housing Needs Survey reserve,
(6) Section 4.7 of the Constitution (financial regulations) be
suspended in this case as the procedures of partner authorities have
been followed.
Reason for Decision:
To
ensure
sufficient
funding
is
available
from
reserves to meet the cost of Housing Needs work.
(Head of Housing)
The Housing Needs Officer left the meeting.
The Head of Revenue Services entered the meeting.
884.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
The following declaration of interest was received.
Minute No.
Member
Level of Interest
890
D. McGregor
1
885.
MINUTES
Moved by Councillor J.E. Bennett and seconded by Councillor D. McGregor.
RESOLVED that the minutes of a meeting of the Executive held on 10th March 2008
be approved as a true and correct record.
3
EXECUTIVE
The Repairs Manager entered the meeting.
886.
WORKING NEIGHBOURHOOD FUND
The Chief Executive Officer submitted a report giving details of the Working
Neighbourhood Fund that was introduced as part of the Local Government Finance
Settlement to provide resources to local authorities to tackle worklessness and low
levels of skills and enterprise in their most deprived areas.
Moved by Councillor A.F. Tomlinson and seconded by Councillor K. Bowman.
RESOLVED that (1) the report be received,
(2) the Executive approve the evaluation criteria outlined in the
report,
(3) the Executive approve the establishment of a core working
group with delegated powers, to the Leader of the Council, to distribute
funding in accordance with the criteria contained in the report,
(4) the Executive approve the allocation of £1 Million for each of
the three years to the Local Strategic Partnership.
Reason for Decision:
In order to administer the Working Neighbourhoods
Fund to address ‘worklessness’ within the District.
(Chief Executive Officer)
887.
CLIMATE CHANGE – INVEST TO SAVE IMPROVEMENTS
The Director of Strategy submitted a report giving details of the recommendations of
a sustainable energy self assessment carried out by the Climate Change Group and
asked for approval to use General Reserves to fund necessary works on invest to
save principles where payback can be achieved within three years.
Moved by Councillor D. Kelly and seconded by Councillor A.F. Tomlinson.
RESOLVED that (1) the use of the General Reserve to fund approximately £9,500 of
energy efficiency works to Sherwood Lodge as outlined in the report,
be approved.
(2) delegated powers be granted to the Director of Strategy in
consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Resources,
Leader, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environment to utilise
reserves for works to be undertaken that would generate energy
4
EXECUTIVE
savings and carbon emission reductions that pay back initial costs
within three years of being implemented,
RECOMMENDED that resolution 2 above, be referred to Standards Committee for
inclusion in the Delegation Scheme in the Constitution.
Reason for Decision:
To assist the Council in meeting its carbon reduction
target and to generate ongoing savings.
(Director of Strategy/Democratic Services Officer)
The Principal Solicitor left the meeting.
The Solicitor to the Council and the Senior Valuer entered the meeting.
888.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985
Moved by Councillor B. Huddless and seconded by Councillor D. Kelly.
RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as
amended), 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 the stated Paragraph of Part 1 of
Schedule 12A of the Act and it is not in the public interest for that to be
revealed.
889.
COUNCIL HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2008/09
EXEMPT – PARAGRAPH 3
The Repairs Manager presented a report seeking to agree the housing stock capital
expenditure for the 2008/09 financial year and giving details of work needed to
continue the current programme.
Members asked questions.
Moved by Councillor K. Bowman and seconded by Councillor D. Kelly.
RESOLVED that (1) the draft capital programme outlined in the report, be approved,
(2) an external consultant be appointed to carry out a desktop
review of the HRA business plan and the outcome of this be reported
back to the Executive.
Reason for Decision:
To gain approval for the appointment of consultants
and to adopt the proposed capital programme for
council housing for 2008/09.
(Head of Housing)
5
EXECUTIVE
890.
EXTENSION TO THE ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH
THREE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS TO UNDERTAKE A PERIODIC
ELECTRICAL
TEST
AND
UPGRADE
PROGRAMME
TO
COUNCIL
HOUSING STOCK
EXEMPT – PARAGRAPH 3
The Repairs Manager presented a report seeking approval to extend the 3 year
Partnering Agreement with PK Electrical of Chesterfield, JKE Installations Ltd of
Shirebrook and Independent Testing Company Ltd of Creswell to deliver an electrical
periodic test and installation upgrade programme to council housing properties on an
agreed schedule of rates basis, with a view to meeting the decent homes target
electrically by 2010.
Moved by Councillor A. F. Tomlinson and seconded by Councillor K. Bowman.
RESOLVED that (1) the report be received,
(2) Members suspend Contract Standing Order 4.8.1(1) to allow
the current contract to be extended by two years and a CBI inflation
related increase to be negotiated for both years with suitable terms and
conditions.
Reason for Decision:
In order to maintain timely progress on the decent
homes programme and generate efficiency savings.
(Head of Regeneration)
891.
EXTENSION TO THE CENTRAL HEATING RENEWAL CONTRACT TO
COUNCIL HOUSING STOCK AWARDED TO SHACKLOCKS PLUMBING
AND HEATING
EXEMPT – PARAGRAPH 3
The Repairs Manager presented a report seeking approval to extend the current
central heating renewal contract with Neil Shacklocks Plumbing, Heating and
Electrical Contractors Ltd of Sutton-in-Ashfield, for a further two years, with a view to
meeting the decent homes target for controllable efficient heating by 2010.
Moved by Councillor A.F. Tomlinson and seconded by Councillor D. McGregor.
RESOLVED that (1) the report be received,
(2) Contract Standing Orders 4.8.1(1) be suspended to allow the
current contract to be extended by two years, the first year to be
negotiated at the increase of 1.75% as outlined in the report and a CBI
inflation related increase to be negotiated for the second year with
suitable terms and conditions.
Reason for Decision:
In order to maintain timely progress on the decent
homes programme and generate efficiency savings.
(Head of Regeneration)
6
EXECUTIVE
892.
APPLICATIONS FOR CHARITABLE AND DISCRETIONARY RATE RELIEF
EXEMPT – PARAGRAPH 3
The Head of Revenue Services submitted a report for Members to consider two
applications from applicants who were registered, excepted or exempt charities who
qualified for mandatory relief.
Moved by Councillor B. Huddless and seconded by Councillor J.E. Bennett.
RESOLVED that the 1st organisation on schedule A be granted 80% mandatory relief
and 20% discretionary relief.
Moved by Councillor B. Huddless and seconded by Councillor J.E. Bennett.
RESOLVED that the 2nd organisation on schedule A be granted 80% mandatory
relief and 20% discretionary relief.
Reason for Decision:
In order to apply relief for rates when billing
ratepayers in order to assist Voluntary and Charitable
Organisations by wholly or partially covering their
National Non-Domestic Rate charge.
(Head of Revenue Services)
893.
LAND AT SOUTHFILD LANE, WHITWELL
EXEMPT – PARAGRAPH 3
The Senior Valuer submitted a report regarding a strip of land owned by the Council
between two plots of land previously sold to XJF Plastics.
XJF Plastics were in the process of selling the premises and the Solicitors acting for
the purchasers wish to regularise the situation by purchasing the strip of land.
Moved by Councillor D. McGregor and seconded by Councillor A.F. Tomlinson.
RESOLVED that the land be sold to Landtask UK on the terms proposed by the
Senior Valuer.
Reason for decision:
In order to secure a capital receipt for the Council
from the sale of the land which is surplus to Council
requirements.
(Senior Valuer)
7
EXECUTIVE
894.
6 AND 8 KINGS CLOSE, CRESWELL AND 63 RECREATION ROAD,
SHIREBROOK
EXEMPT – PARAGRAPH 3
The Senior Valuer submitted a report proposing that the former Police houses at 6
and 8 Kings Close, Creswell and 63 Recreation Road, Shirebrook which were now
vacant, be offered for sale at auction by Bagshaws Residential in Derby on 30th April
2008.
Moved by Councillor D. McGregor and seconded by Councillor A.F. Tomlinson.
RESOLVED that (1) a reserve price of £70,000 be placed on 6 and 8 Kings Close,
Creswell and £60,000 on 63 Recreation Road, Shirebrook,
(2) delegated powers be given to the Head of Regeneration to
instruct Bagshaws Residential (Derby) to sell 6 and 8 Kings Close,
Creswell and 63 Recreation Road, Shirebrook at auction at any price
that meets or exceeds the reserves,
(3) Members earmark the capital receipt for use on planned capital
projects for affordable housing and/or regeneration.
Reason for Decision:
In order to secure a capital receipt for the Council
from the sale of 3 properties which are surplus to
Council requirements.
(Senior Valuer)
895.
ACCESS EASEMENT AT 26 IRON CLIFF ROAD, BOLSOVER
EXEMPT – PARAGRAPH 3
The Senior Valuer submitted a report regarding an approach to the Council by the
agents of the owner of 26 Iron Cliff Road, Bolsover with a request for a vehicular
access across the Council’s land to create off road parking within the curtilage of the
property.
Moved by Councillor A.F. Tomlinson and seconded by Councillor D. McGregor.
RESOLVED that the Council grant an access easement on the terms as proposed
by the Senior Valuer and that Members earmark the capital receipt for
use on planned capital projects for affordable housing and/or
regeneration.
Reason for Decision:
In order to secure a capital receipt for the Council
from the granting of an easement.
(Senior Valuer)
8
EXECUTIVE
896.
FORMER ALLOTMENTS OFF SOUTH AVENUE, SHIREBROOK
EXEMPT – PARAGRAPH 3
The Senior Valuer submitted a report seeking to dispose of the former allotments off
South Avenue, Shirebrook to the current occupier for a nominal sum.
Moved by Councillor A.F. Tomlinson and seconded by Councillor D. Kelly.
RESOLVED that the Council transfer the land to EMDA on the terms proposed by
the Senior Valuer.
Reason for Decision:
In order to relieve the Council of the maintenance
liability of a large area of land.
(Senior Valuer)
As it was the Chief Finance Officer’s last Executive meeting, the Chairman
expressed thanks from the Council and more particularly the Executive and the
Labour Group to the Chief Finance Officer for the excellent job she had done and
wished her good luck in her new venture.
The meeting concluded at 1222 hours.
9
Committee:
Executive
Agenda
5
Item No.:
Date:
12 May 2008
Status
Open
Category
2. Decision within the functions of Executive
Subject:
Anti Poverty review
Report by:
PPMG4
Other Officers
Scrutiny and Policy officer
Involved
Director
Director of Strategy
Relevant
Cllr Tomlinson
Portfolio Holder
RELEVANT CORPORATE AIMS
REGENERATION – Developing healthy, prosperous and sustainable communities
SOCIAL INCLUSION – Promoting fairness, equality and lifelong learning.
TARGETS
The adoption of an Anti Poverty Strategy is a target within the current Corporate
Plan.
VALUE FOR MONEY
The report has no Please describe how the proposals deliver value for money for
the Council and its customers.
THE REPORT
The report for the review of the anti poverty is attached.
IMPLICATIONS
Financial:
None
Legal:
None
Human Resources: None
10
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That all the actions to address poverty by the group in section 4
of the report are incorporated in to the Anti Poverty Strategy
being developed.
2. That an update on the viability of the actions identified in section
4 of the report be provided to the group by September 2008
3. That the actions that are agreed as viable are in place by March
2009
4. That a realistic measure for poverty for the District is developed
so that it can be monitored to ensure that the strategy is effective
REASON FOR DECISION TO BE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CONSTITUTION
The decision is in line with the Executive’ responsibility with the
formulation of strategies for consideration by Council.
ATTACHMENTS:
Y
FILE REFERENCE:
Anti Poverty final report
SOURCE DOCUMENT:
11
Anti Poverty review
by
PPMG 4
March 2008
Final
12
Contents
1
Introduction ...............................................................................................5
2
Aims of the review ....................................................................................6
3
What types of poverty exist ?...................................................................6
3.1
Key types of poverty that need to be addressed................................6
3.1.1
Child poverty ..............................................................................6
3.1.2
Income poverty ...........................................................................7
3.1.3
In-work poverty ...........................................................................7
3.1.4
Elderly poverty............................................................................8
3.2
Other types of poverty that exist ........................................................8
3.2.1
Access poverty ...........................................................................8
3.2.2
Network poverty .........................................................................9
3.2.3
Poverty of aspirations .................................................................9
3.2.4
Fuel poverty................................................................................9
4
Tackling poverty........................................................................................9
4.1
Child poverty......................................................................................9
4.2
Income poverty ................................................................................10
4.3
In-work poverty ................................................................................11
4.4
Elderly poverty.................................................................................12
5
Recommendations..................................................................................12
13
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to present this final report to you today. This
review has been the most challenging one for PPMG 4 group, and in light of
all the information we received at our meetings, it soon became clear there
were no quick fixes to get out of poverty.
As a group we are hopeful that there is a better future for the District and in a
small way, we hope to have contributed to the Anti-Poverty Strategy however,
in the group’s opinion, it will take time and a lot of resources before we make
a substantial difference.
The aim of this review was to develop a framework for the development of our
Anti-Poverty Strategy for Bolsover District Council. This review has been very
challenging. The group brainstormed all the departments in this Authority to
identify what could be done. We accepted that there was evidence of all
types of poverty within the District. We then decided to focus on the types of
poverty we would concentrate on. The evidence to support our decision is put
before you today.
My sincere thanks go to our group for their commitment, time and effort and to
our Scrutiny Officer for her valued support. Thanks also must be given to
other Officers of the Council for their contribution and we look forward to
working with them in the future.
Stuart Tomlinson
Citizens Advice Bureau
Anna Millard
Groundwork Creswell
John Sherwood
Local Strategic Partnership
Corrina Beatson
Department of Unemployed Workers
Frank Bacon
County Councillor Anne Weston
Martin Stone
Di Bonsor
Julie Lewis
Mary Dooley
Chair of PPMG 4
Members of PPMG 4
Hillary Gilmour
Sandra Peake
Hazel Ward
Anne Syrett
Brian Hendry
Paul Hendry
14
Aims of the review
To draft a framework for the development of an Anti Poverty Strategy for
Bolsover District Council
•
To consider the current state of the District in terms of the economic,
social and environmental profile
•
To identify gaps in current provision of service and areas for
continuing concern
•
Consider appropriate strategies to address these
What types of poverty exist?
The group extensively researched the types of poverty that exists to be able
to understand and agree what the definition of each type is. This could then
be assessed to understand what poverty existed within Bolsover District. The
group accepted that there would be examples of all types of poverty within the
district however it needed to focus on the major types where there was
evidence to support action being taken to address the issues.
Key types of poverty that need to be addressed
Child poverty
Children
Young adults
• in low income households
• no basic qualifications
• low birth weight
• criminal record
• poor health/diet
• unemployment
• teenage pregnancies
• low pay
• low attainment at school
• suicides
• school exclusion
• living in large families
• living in large families
• student loans
• single parent families
Evidence :
• Educational attainment in the District has improved over recent years
although grades are still considerably lower than the East Midlands and
England averages
• Access to Universities can be difficult in some parts of the District if
people do not have access to their own transport. This needs to be
addressed so that the local skill base can improve.
• Work needs to be carried out at educational institutions to make young
people more aware of the employment opportunities in the District and
to promote the benefits of working
(Taken from State of the District 2006)
• Fewer 16-17year olds are in full time education
• Teenage conception rates district wide are higher
• Youth unemployment is 59% higher than the national average
15
• More children are in non-earning households
(Taken from the Directory of Health June 2006)
• The recognised % of Free school meals measure Bolsover has the
highest score and significantly above the average for Derbyshire
(Taken from the DPH annual report 2007)
Recognised by the group :
1. There is no 6th form education within the District
2. Access to 6th form education outside the District is limited
Income poverty
Those on no wages
• fixed income (benefits) – unable to afford necessities
• wanting work
• workless households
• limiting longstanding illness or disability
• debt and inability to get affordable loans
Evidence :
• In the District unemployment is higher than average, however the
developments of large business parks at Shirebrook Brook Park and
Markham Vale will provide more employment opportunities.
• The poor health in the District is principally caused by the high level of
deprivation. It is perhaps the most important reason why the quantity
and quality of employment needs to be improved, alongside economic
regeneration. This is something that the Council and its partners in the
health service and elsewhere will need to address in order to improve
the quality of life and economic wellbeing in Bolsover.
(Taken from State of the District 2006)
• Debt problems will increase over the coming years
(Advised by CAB – December 07)
In-work poverty
Those in work but on low wages
• low income – unable to afford necessities
• low pay by gender
• low pay by industry (regional/local)
• debt and inability to get affordable loans or bank accounts
• immediate loss of benefits – no bridge between benefits and work
Evidence to support :
• In the District there is a large number of people employed in the
manufacturing sector and a low percentage of people working within
the banking finance and insurance sector. Work needs to be carried
out to encourage new technology based industry to the area and
therefore widen the skills base.
• To increase the number of professional workers in the District we need
to attract more hi-tech businesses and creative industries to the area.
• In an effort to counter this effect Bolsover has to identify ways to retain
16
the higher level skills and attract blue chip employers from outside the
district to encourage new technology based industry to the area.
• To increase the number of professional workers in the District we need
to attract more hi-tech businesses and creative industries to the area.
(Taken from State of the District 2006)
• 32.4% of CAB debt cases are from employed people
• Debt problems will increase over the coming years
(Advised by CAB – December 07)
Elderly poverty
• fixed incomes (may have high outgoings) – unable to afford necessities
• not aware of benefits available
• excess winter deaths
• limiting longstanding illness or disability
• support (including social services)
• anxiety
• isolation
Evidence to support :
• The structure reflects that of the East Midlands although there is a
slightly higher percentage of people in Bolsover District that are over
the age of 60. This will have implications on the level of housing
needed for the elderly in the local area.
• Future housing developments will need to take into consideration the
demographics of the area. With the high percentage of people over the
age of 60, new housing will need to accommodate this.
(Taken from State of the District 2006)
• The number of residents over 60 claiming benefit is 4157 and 80% are
considered to be in fuel poverty
(Statement from John Sherwood 31/05/07)
• 5.3% of CAB debt cases are from those over the age of 60 years
(Advised by CAB – December 07)
• No local support for pensions as it is all provided over the telephone
Other types of poverty that exist
There was no factual evidence to support these being included in the
immediate future however the group felt that they would need to be reviewed
periodically (e.g. annually ) to ensure that these areas are not overlooked in
the constantly changing environment.
Access poverty
Lack of access to transport and services including technology by which many
services are now accessed.
17
Service could include shops, financial facilities, fresh food and transport.
Network poverty
The lack of informal contact with and help from friends, family or neighbours
Poverty of aspirations
In the cycle of depravation and lack of confidence, self-worth and ambition
due to the industrial breakdown.
Fuel poverty
Where a household cannot afford to keep warm - damages the health of those
living in cold homes and affects their quality of life. The elderly, children, and
those who are disabled or have a long-term illness are especially vulnerable.
The main cause of fuel poverty in the UK is a combination of poor energy
efficiency in homes and low incomes. Also price increases and the higher rate
charges made to those who do not pay by direct debit.
Tackling poverty
It needs to be tackled at the following levels :
• People – actions to help individuals overcome their disadvantage
• Places – actions to help improve local opportunities more generally
• Perceptions – actions to change attitudes and culture that leads to
disadvantages being hidden or ignored
Child poverty
Actions already taken by Bolsover District Council and it’s partners :
• Establishment of Anti-Social Behaviour Team
o
Parenting practitioner employed as new member of ASB Team
to deliver Parenting Programmes
• Diversionary Activities
o
N-gage partnership formed with statutory and voluntary agencies
providing youth focused activities.
o
Street Sports Programme including boxing training sessions called
OzBox for young people
LSP aims and actions :
• Reduce teenage pregnancies by 50% by 2010
o
Provision of accessible sexual health and contraception services
• Halt the rise of obesity in children under 11 by 2010
o
FIVE-60 Health for Life campaign
18
• Developing entrepreneurial and business skills in young people
o
Provision of vocational courses and work placements
o
Introduce children to the possibilities of work related training
• Improve attainment at all key stages defined in Education Action Plan
o
Living literacy initiative
o
Elmton Village Company youth activities
o
Allocation of funding to secondary schools in improve attainment
(e.g. attendance and behavioural support, improved facilities
and learning mentors)
• Increase school attendance by 0.5% year on year
o
Additional Education Welfare Officers provided to enhance the
support
• Reduce permanent exclusions year on year
o
Additional Education Social Worker for schools
Actions to address :
1. Once the DCC plan is available (Spring 08) the contents/actions need
to be reviewed to understand if there are any gaps and assessed to
see if the Council could address them
2. Significantly increase the access to sports and cultural activities and
the use of facilities (including the gym) children up to the age of 16
years and family use outside school hours
3. Investigation of the option to increase the community housing to cover
the north of the District by September 2008
4. Encourage departments that have contact with young people to provide
positive stories to the Communications Officer to promote and help
change attitudes
Income poverty
Actions already taken by Bolsover District Council and it’s partners :
• Sportsworld International relocation
• Introduced new employers in to the area e.g. Tesco, Dobbies
• ‘Bizfizz’ Business Advice Programme and LEGI initiative
• Social Outcomes Concordat
• Citizens Advice Bureau
LSP aims and actions :
• Boost business support by assisting 25 clients across the district by
2008
o
Availability of business coaches
o
Provision of business grants
19
• Stimulate the enterprise culture by developing affordable incubation
space for 12 businesses by 2008
o
Provision of hubs for new small businesses start-ups
• Increase accessibility to everyday facilities for all. Especially those
without access to a car, or those with mobility difficulties
• Increase tourism growth by supporting businesses and encouraging
new business development
o
Grant scheme for local tourism businesses
Actions to address :
1. The group have tried to encourage the extension of the CAB service
provided by Clowne Parish Council to the other parishes within the
District by contacting all the District Councillors
2. Investigate and support the Introduction of a Credit Union in to the
Bolsover District (which may be an extension from Chesterfield or
Worksop)
3. Continue to run ‘benefit take up’ campaigns
4. Continue to provide advice to claimants of DWP benefits or council tax
discounts that they may be able to claim
5. Continue to provide advice to claimants of the impacts on other
benefits (they may reduce or increase)
6. Providing an express service to process claims within 5 days where all
the information has been supplied
7. Minimise the delay in processing claims by chasing claimants for
missing information
8. Increase the provision of advice on debt and benefits by increasing the
funding to the CAB and the Unemployed Workers Centre for 2009/10 I
9. Establishing new industry in to the area e.g. new technology
10. Continuing to encourage employers in to the area who employ local
staff on flexible hours
In-work poverty
Actions already taken by Bolsover District Council and it’s partners :
LSP aims and actions :
• Provide counselling on debt and housing in all GP surgeries by 2008
• Increase tourism growth by supporting businesses and encouraging
new business development
• Connecting people to jobs by encouraging local employment at major
new development sites
o
Commissioning of training and access of training to qualify
LGV/HGV and Passenger carrying vehicles drivers
o
Commissioning of training and access of training to qualify
maintenance construction workers
• Ensure that new housing in the District is suitable in terms of type, size,
price and location to secure a balanced housing market
20
o
A study is being carried out to understand the issues
Actions to address :
In addition to those listed in section 4.3
1. Continuing to advise benefit claimants where it is suspected that they
may being paid less than the minimum wages
Elderly poverty
Actions already taken by Bolsover District Council and it’s partners :
LSP aims and actions :
• Improve access to healthcare for the elderly – encourage community
transport schemes
o
Extended range of low cost safety equipment
o
Community transport
o
Bathing services
o
Respite care
o
Improving care to housebound patients
Actions to address :
1. Continue to work with the pensions service to ensure that if a claim has
been made to either party the details are shared to ensure entitlement
is claimed
2. Continue making bereavement referrals to the pensions service
3. To work with Derbyshire County Council to ensure that the community
transport is maintained at the current service level
4. To work with Derbyshire County Council to encourage
intergenerational schemes to reduce isolation
5. Investigate extending the communal activities at sheltered
accommodation to elderly residents in the area who are not in council
accommodation
6. Promote the supply of information to residents on advice
agencies/incentives/grants to reduce their household bills by supplying
details with the council tax bills and/or other council communications to
residents.
Recommendations
The following list of recommendations builds on the good work already being
done by the Authority and others to support the Council’s Corporate target to
reduce poverty within the district.
21
1. That all the actions to address poverty by the group in section 4 are
incorporated in to the Anti Poverty Strategy being developed by the
Director of Strategy
2. That an update on the viability of the actions identified in section 4 be
provided to the group by September 2008
3. That the actions that are agreed as viable are in place by March 2009
4. That the Director of Strategy develops a realistic measure for poverty for
the District so that it can be monitored to ensure that the strategy is
effective
22
Committee:
Executive
Agenda
6
Item No.:
Date:
12 May 2008
Status
Open
Category
2. Decision within the functions of Executive
Subject:
Community Involvement in Scrutiny
Report by:
Scrutiny Chairs
Other Officers
Scrutiny and Policy Officer
Involved
Director
Relevant
Portfolio Holder
RELEVANT CORPORATE AIMS
CUSTOMER FOCUSED SERVICES – Providing excellent customer focused
services
If the community do get involved in Scrutiny it will strengthen community
consultation and involvement with the Council.
TARGETS
There are no specific targets in the Corporate Plan.
VALUE FOR MONEY
The proposals do not have any financial impacts.
THE REPORT
See the attached report which was approved by the Scrutiny Committee on 4
March 2008.
IMPLICATIONS
Financial:
None
Legal:
None
Human Resources: None
23
RECOMMENDATION
That the report be received
REASON FOR DECISION TO BE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CONSTITUTION
To keep the Executive informed of the actions being taken by Scrutiny to
involve the public.
ATTACHMENTS:
Y
FILE REFERENCE:
community report final.doc
SOURCE DOCUMENT:
24
CHAIRS’ REVIEW- COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Introduction
Last year’s review of Scrutiny identified a number of ways in which Scrutiny at
Bolsover was improving. The CPA inspectors were complimentary about our
progress, in particular our cross-party working. However we highlighted, in our
review, one area in particular where we needed to make progress which was
our involvement with the community. This review was set up to look at this
problem and suggest some practical improvements. It was carried out by Ann
Syrett, Rose Bowler, Mary Dooley, Joan Morley and Ken Walker with support
from the scrutiny officer.
Some Background
The last few years have seen a move towards increasing the involvement of
the public in decision making. Local forums, partnership working and citizens’
panels are all ways we use to consult the public on an ongoing basis, to make
the workings of local government more open and accountable. The setting up
of Scrutiny committees was a part of that trend. Scrutiny has a duty to act as
a critical friend to the Executive, comment on policy and keep a watchful eye
on how well services to the public are working. But equally it has a duty to
give the community a voice, highlighting matters of public concern and this will
become even more important if the Community Call for Action becomes law.
Public participation in Scrutiny is not easy to achieve and most Authorities
consulted reported difficulties. The amounts of money and time available are
important factors, but aside from these there seem to be three basic problems
including :• Scrutiny’s profile
• relevant topics
• accessibility
Our problem is to get over to the general public what Scrutiny is and what it
does. Scrutiny is still a relatively new function of the Authority and many
people still do not know how useful it could be to them.
How Do We Reach The Community?
As other authorities have found contacting communities is not easy to do and
many different and sometimes expensive methods have been tried, without
achieving significant improvements. Local authorities use a variety of ways to
contact their communities- from leaflets and websites to media contacts and
publicity events- to highlight their Scrutiny Committee’s work. These activities
are dependent on the availability of budgets and officer’s time.
At Bolsover we’re making strong efforts to improve links and involve the
community in our decision making. It makes sense to use the list of contacts
already established, as detailed in Appendix A, rather than starting afresh.
We rely on our elected members and officers to get “the word out” and without
this as a basis we are unlikely to be successful. Using Bolsover’s list of
contacts is a start but we could strengthen this strategy. Currently Scrutiny
has no direct links with the LSP. The LSP is a forum at which a broad range of
interests are represented, and contact with them could lead to valuable co-
25
operative actions. Although we have more contact with the Community and
Voluntary Partners (CVP), closer links with them would give us a direct route
to the community. None of these ideas would cost money - only time.
How Do We Find Relevant Topics?
However hard we all work at getting the message out, we will not be
successful unless the subjects of our reviews are relevant to community
concerns. The choice of topics is the key to this. Many of our reviews relate
to in-house topics such as finance and performance management which are
important for the good running of the Authority but lack appeal to the average
member of the public. Some come from complaints or are suggested to
members by constituents. Currently not enough suggestions are coming from
the communities and we could be missing opportunities to help communities
resolve problems.
The Community Call for Action currently being considered by the
Government, if implemented, would encourage this involvement. Scrutiny
would be able to intervene in a broader range of topics, including those
dealing with service providers such as the utilities companies.
Even without new legislation we are able to be involved in topics like health,
where we are not a budget holder, but our report can be used to bring
pressure to bear to change opinion. This is where expanding our contacts with
parish councils, CVP and the LSP could help. Some members already attend
CVP meetings and CVP requests topics for their agenda from their members.
CVP has already agreed to publicise our reviews in their newsletter and ask
for suggestions and we can build on this. The LSP Action Groups cover a
wide range of topics and most are attended by CVP reps and others from the
community. It would help us to keep in touch with their concerns if we could
establish a stronger relationship. A report to Scrutiny which gives us the key
topics of their meetings would help and we could develop a closer
partnership. Although most of us are part of Parish councils and keep them
informed, a more formal contact, such as a newsletter from Scrutiny, would
help to improve communication.
How Accessible Are We?
Scrutiny itself is not a very attractive title and the concept is quite difficult to
explain. It’s unlikely that the main Scrutiny meeting will ever attract observers
from the general public, as it was hoped it would when it was first set up.
In our case there are several things against it – the formality of the meetings
and the meeting place and the fact that we meet during the working day. For
these reasons it would be better to concentrate on publicising the subjects of
the review and focus on the PPMG’s meetings which the general public could
relate to. These meetings are informal, can more easily meet at times to suit
and are easier to move around the district if the PPMG group agree that it
would benefit their review in agreement with the individual group.
PPMG Chairs already invite people who have relevant knowledge and
experience into their meetings and this could be developed. Co-optees can
26
bring useful points of view to their discussions and taking the meeting to
where the problem exists is more likely to attract participants.
Community Expectations
As we know once a problem is identified people want quick action. In the past
our reviews have tended to be lengthy although recently we’ve been speeding
up. Some reviews need thorough investigation to do the subject justice.
However others can be dealt with more quickly, particularly if members have a
special interest. Small groups can be formed from the PPMG groups on the
basis of their interest in the subject, to produce short reviews. It would be
helpful to think of these reviews more as briefing notes which could help
officers and executive in their decision making.
Conclusion
Publicising Scrutiny and spreading understanding of it will help to bring
forward more contributions from the public. Establishing clearer and more
organised links with the Parish Councils, CVP, the LSP and a broad range of
community groups will be necessary, and this will have implications for budget
and officers time. Community issues will need to be dealt with speedily to
avoid disappointment, so we may have to establish a fast track system using
a self selected review group. Ultimately it’s up to us to be effective advocates
for our communities.
The following list of recommendations builds on the good work already being
done by the Authority and others to give our residents a chance to get
involved with government and contribute to decision making.
1. Each Scrutiny Review to show evidence of community contact i.e. co-
options; contact with LSP, CVP, Parishes and elected members;
contact with organisations relevant to the review time and place of
meetings
2. To establish ongoing communications with CVP, the LSP, and
Parishes through attending meetings or circulating information in order
to promote scrutiny and look for opportunities for involvement
3. Develop Scrutiny’s workplan for 2008/09 from issues raised by the
community (e.g. complaint topics over the last 12 months, topics raised
at the community fourms, surveys - including CVP, citizen panel, BVPI)
4. Scrutiny chairs to take ownership for the scrutiny information on the
Council’s website and update at least on a quarterly basis
5. Scrutiny chairs to take responsibility for publicity for Scrutiny including
outcomes of reviews and generating interest in future reviews using
appropriate methods
6. Review the level of community involved achieved in Scrutiny in March
2009
27
APPENDIX A
Bolsover District Council’s community contacts
and opportunities
Community forums
• Currently running a pilot of the scheme
• Funded until April 08
• 3 meetings per area this year
• Subjects on the agenda driven by the public
Opportunities:
Take scrutiny review subjects to the forums to ask for input/volunteers to be
involved
Use the subjects areas raised by the forums to be the subjects for scrutiny
Citizens surgeries
• Held before the Community Forums
• Last 30 – 45 mins
• Issues raised to officers/elected members/key partners
(BDC/DCC/Police/PCT)
• Issues recorded and responded within 20 days by appropriate
partner
Opportunities:
Use the subjects areas raised to be subjects for scrutiny
Citizens Panel
• Questionnaire sent to residents to complete quarterly
(Feb/June/Sept/Nov)
• Distributed to 1000 Bolsover district residents
• Main body of questions from Derbyshire County Council but 6 sides
available for district use
• Lead in time for questions = 2 months
• Residents have 2 weeks to respond
• Results available 3 weeks after replies received
• Full report produced 3 weeks later
• All results available on intranet site (including all previous surveys)
• Newsletter issued with each survey
• Panelists are asked to indicate if they would be willing to be
involved in focus groups/telephone surveys
Opportunities:
Incorporate questions for specific reviews to gauge wider customer views
and may repeat at a later date to measure success of the review
Use the news letter to advertise reviews coming up or success of a review
Use list of panellists that have said they would be willing to input to a
scrutiny review (either in focus group or telephone survey)
Youth Council
• Meet 5 times per year (Jan/March/June/Sept/Nov)
• Represented by students from the 5 secondary schools in the
district
• The Youth Council’s remit is to raise concerns and issues facing
young people by engaging them in local issues
28
Opportunities:
Take appropriate reviews to the Youth Council to gain their input
Take scrutiny topics to them and ask which ones they would like to be
involved in
Involve them for elements of reviews that affect young people e.g. teenage
conception
Compliments, comments and complaints
• BDC procedure on how this is handled
• Results summarised on a quarterly basis
Opportunities:
Complete trend analysis on the subjects to identify review subjects
Invite complainees to be involved in appropriate reviews
Ask Derbyshire
• Launched in Sept 07
• Used by BDC/EDC/NEDDC
• Website which list all consultation conducted or planned and
provides details
• Allows the public the opportunity to register their interest in any of
the consultation listed (this could be to take part or see the outputs)
• It will take many months after launch to get a significant number of
the public involved
Opportunities:
Add all consultations done by scrutiny and the final reports
Ask the public to register interest on the reviews planned
CRT machine
• Newly purchased by the council intended for the contact centres
• Portable machine that needs power and limited supervision
• Questionnaire designed on a computer and loaded in to the
machine which is taken to a relevant site
• Customers enter their feedback into the machine and information
stored
• Information downloaded to a computer that can be analysed
Opportunities:
Use to get specific feedback from the public for a review
Intouch
• Colour newspaper issued to all the BDC residents
• 3 issued per financial year
• 1 issued for budget, 1 just been signed off, 1 due in November for
the CPA results
Opportunities:
Use newspaper to advertise reviews coming up or success of a review
Website
• Available worldwide including residents
29
• Contains details of council services and information, councillors and
local democracy, tourism, news that affects the residents.
• Updated on a daily basis
• Minimal lead time as wording needs to be cleared by
communications officer
Opportunities:
Use website to advertise reviews coming up or success of a review
Council tenants and leaseholders forums
• Structure exists and on 3 levels – district forum/tenants
associations/zones
• Subjects that are covered at the forums are decided by the district
forum (previous subjects have been tenants aspirations fund, repairs
consultation and assisted gardens scheme)
• They meet approximately every 6-8 weeks
Opportunities:
Take scrutiny review subjects to the forums to ask for input/volunteers to be
involved (recognised that they don’t want awareness sessions but sessions
where they can be involved /make a difference)
Tenants participation and development group
• This is similar to a steering group for the forums
• It is made up of 5 officers, 5 members and 5 tenants
• They meet 5 times per year
Opportunities:
Limited
Homing in
• Colour newspaper for council tenants
• 4 issues per year – 1 per season
• The tenants are the editors
• Co-ordinated by BDC’s tenant’s liaison officer
• Tenants do ask officers to produce articles for them
Opportunities:
Use newspaper to advertise reviews coming up or success of a review
Tenant Participation Compact
• An agreement between BDC and its tenants
• Due to be updated – Bernie has a copy of the old one
Opportunities:
None identified
Best value satisfaction
• Triannual survey with council residents conducted by Mori
• Set government questions
• Bernie has a copy
Opportunities:
Use to identify the issues that are important to residents to create the
review subject list
30
Fairness for all event
• Annual event held in the autumn
• Aimed at hard to reach groups
Opportunities:
Take scrutiny review subjects to the event to ask for input/volunteers to be
involved
Use the subjects areas raised by the event to be the subjects for scrutiny
Business rates – NNDR
• Annual consultation with businesses
• All local businesses invited
Opportunities:
Take appropriate scrutiny review subjects to the event to ask for
input/volunteers to be involved
Ask for subject areas at the event to be the subjects for scrutiny
Community Houses
• Supports individuals in the area surrounding the houses
• Targeted groups activities are held in them e.g. youth groups, drugs
advice, CAB
• Newsletter issued every 3/4 months
• Different newsletter for the 4 community houses (Castle estate/South
Normanton/New Houghton/Shirebrook)
• Targeted to the estate around the community house (private and
council properties
• Produced by council staff with input from other departments and the
residents
Opportunities:
Use newsletter to advertise reviews coming up or success of a review
Residents Groups
• Meet every 4/6 weeks
• Normally held in the community houses
• Agenda developed by the resident groups
• Julie Lewis attends
Opportunities:
Take appropriate scrutiny review subjects to the groups to ask for
input/volunteers to be involved
Ask for subject areas from the groups to be the subjects for scrutiny
Community safety partnership
• Lots of different activities happening which could be targeted at
areas / issues
Opportunities:
Would need to speak to community safety officer when considering
involving public in this area
LSP• Attend CVP meetings which are held every 5/6 weeks
31
• Issue ‘Connect’ which is their newsletter 4 times a year and given to
various community sites
• They have their own website which is updated daily/as there is new
information. Wording cleared by the partnership communications and
information officer
Opportunities:
Would need to speak to LSP on the review to understand what would be
appropriate
32
APPENDIX B
Information sources
Reports on Engaging the Community:
Nottingham City Council
Derby City Council
N.E.Derbys District Council
Amber Valley Borough Council
Gedling District Council
Mansfield District Council
Elmbridge Borough Council
Notts/Derbys Scrutiny Officer
Network
InLoGov Birmingham University
On The Radar Centre for Public Scrutiny InLoGov
Good Scrutiny Guide
InLoGov
Research Summary ODPM
InLoGov
Development of Overview and Scrutiny
InLoGov
33
Committee:
Executive
Agenda
7
Item No.:
Date:
12 May 2008
Status
Open
Category
2. Decision within the functions of Executive
Subject:
Review of dentistry provision in the district
Report by:
PPMG3
Other Officers
Scrutiny and Policy officer
Involved
Director
Chief Executive Officer
Relevant
Regeneration
Portfolio Holder
RELEVANT CORPORATE AIMS
REGENERATION – Developing healthy, prosperous and sustainable communities
The review and recommendations will support the priority of contributing to
improving the health of the district.
TARGETS
There are no specific targets in the Corporate Plan however the output of the
review may contribute to the public health strategy.
VALUE FOR MONEY
The report has no financial impacts.
THE REPORT
The report for the review of the provision of dentists in the district is attached.
IMPLICATIONS
Financial:
None
Legal:
None
Human Resources: None
34
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That the impact on the health service including dentistry is
considered as part the Planning process
2. That it is ensured that the Planning department work with the
PCT so that they are aware of future plans and developments
which can feed in to their decision process
3. That support is provided to the dental commissioner for
Derbyshire PCT to understand the local needs e.g. community
forums, citizens panel, parish councils
4. That it is ensured that the Joint Associate Director of Public
Health maintains a relationship with the dental commissioner
for Derbyshire PCT and provides regular updates on the
actions for the areas in the district on the Top 10 list which is
shared via the scrutiny health group
5. That the report is Issued to Chesterfield Borough Council and
North East Derbyshire District Council so that they are aware
of the status of dentistry in the area
6. That the review is closed.
REASON FOR DECISION TO BE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CONSTITUTION
The provision of dentistry has an effect on communities in the District of
Bolsover’s area.
ATTACHMENTS:
Y
FILE REFERENCE:
Report on Dentistry for Scrutiny March 08
SOURCE DOCUMENT:
35
Review of the provision of
dentistry in the district
March 2008
By PPMG3
Cllr Cook
Cllr Gray
Cllr Holmes
Cllr Morley
Cllr Phelan
Cllr Rodda
Cllr Webster
36
Introduction
The aim of the review is to understand the current provision of dentistry in the
district and how Bolsover District Council can influence the future plans and
service for the benefit of the residents.
The review covered the service that is provided within the district although it is
recognised that some residents especially in border areas travel outside the
district for their dental service.
The review is based on the NHS provision although it is recognised that many
dentists and residents use a private service.
Evidence
Although members of the group felt that there was an issue within the dentists
in the district they were able to validate it with the following information :
CVP survey
The Community Voluntary Partnership survey completed in September 2007
of 1438 residents provided a view on the dentistry provision in the district. The
respondents were asked :
‘Are you happy with the services provided by the dentists ?’
There were variations between the wards with 68% in Bramley Vale and Doe
Lea and 63% in Hillstown, Shuttlewood and Stanfree answering yes to the
question. However in Bolsover central only 14% were happy with the dental
services.
This confirmed that there was an issue as overall for the whole of the district
only 43% of the residents were happy with the services provided by the
dentists.
The breakdown details of the survey are in Appendix A
Dentist details
The information on the NHS website highlights that there are only 8 dental
practices in the district. It also indicated that the majority are not accepting
NHS patients in to the practice.
The details are in Appendix B.
Community Forums
The group sought feedback from the residents who attended the Community
Forums on health at Whitwell and Blackwell in October and November 2007.
The feedback was mixed however the majority had issues with the provision
of dentistry.
37
Dentists – the facts
Keith Mann, the dental commissioner for Derbyshire PCT attended the group
meeting in January 2008 and provided the following evidence.
The background
There have been no major changes in dentistry between1950-2006. During
this period patients were charged (where applicable) for each item, they
signed the form and the payment was then made to the dentist
From 1st April 2006 the Department of Health devolved responsibility for
dentistry to the local PCT. In the year previous the earnings of each dentist
was monitored This information along with the budget to pay for the service
was passed to the local PCTs
Every practice was issued with a work activity, contract and income guarantee
for 3 years therefore the PCT had no control on the dentistry map for
Derbyshire
If patients want white fillings (which exceed the NHS provision) the dentists
complete this as private work. The private work is more lucrative for the
dentists. Therapists are available to support those with phobias. Sedation is
not offered as a matter of course. Dentists do preventative work as well as
working with children. All children are entitled to free dentistry until the age of
18 years. If the practices work activity in their contract is full then they can turn
children away and it becomes the PCT problem. Dentists get paid £17 for
each inspection. The NICE guidelines that NHS dentists work to state that
visits should be between 6 to 18 months.
The PCTs in the surrounding areas work together on border areas where
patients utilise the service in other PCT areas.
Some dentists have moved to a private prepayment plan e.g. Denplan and
may only take patients who join the scheme.
The profile of dentists has changed over the years from white males to female
and other ethnic backgrounds. They are also coming from the EU, India and
Pakistan however they do have to pass a competency test which includes
speaking English before they can practice in the UK.
Form filling was raised as an issue for NHS dentists but it was confirmed that
the majority of forms were to support patient safety.
The PCT are responsible for auditing the dentist sites to ensure that
everything is in order. The also take up complaints with the dentist
They work in schools by funding the ‘brush for life’ scheme however they
need parental consent to look in a child’s mouth so they may not check them
all. At 5years they check for diseases and at 12 years they check that the
teeth are aligned correctly
Dentists receive an income of about £150k and 56% of this is spent on
expenses (e.g. equipment, receptionist) therefore often there are group
practices which benefit by economies of scale
38
Dentists in Derbyshire – the plan/future
• The challenge for the PCT is to change the dentistry map to meet the
changing needs in Derbyshire
• In a review of the provision the need is north of the county. The areas
with the greatest need are those with high deprivation and are a priority
for the future. The top 10 priority to get a dentist include Shirebrook,
South Normanton and Bolsover. Staveley is the number one priority.
The list has been created taking in to account what is currently
available, the IMD score and the population. Once the budget is
finalised they will have a clear picture of the timescales to address the
gaps
• The PCT have to wait until a dentist closes (e.g. through retirement) in
the county when they can take the opportunity to transfer the budget to
a priority area
• The PCT work to understand the local needs to ensure the new facility
meets the needs. In other areas the main requirements have been
local, easy access and regular appointments
• The PCT aim is to offer the service to the hard to reach areas and
those that don’t currently access the service including those that are in
rural areas
• Previously dentist went in to practice in locations of their choice (often
in cities and affluent areas) however now the PCT can determine the
locations of the NHS practices
• All new contracts that are issued are for 100% NHS work. One of the
conditions is that they must have a patient group whose outputs they
share with the PCT
• The cost of dental treatment in hospital is £530 – £730 where as it is
£170 within the PCT. The PCT manage the dentist against their
competencies and where they are using hospital referrals
inappropriately
• The PCT want to provide increased access by changing opening
hours. At the moment some patients cannot access the ‘in hours’
service and then use the ‘out of hours’ service inappropriately
• The new contracts in 2009 (after 3 years have expired on the old one)
will allow the PCT to input to the contract and ensure that performance
of the service will be included
39
Conclusion
The group felt that although there are concerns about the lack of dentists
in the district that they now understood the cause of the problem. The
group accepted the PCT who have responsibility for the dentists in
Derbyshire understand the issue and have plans to address the issue
within the contractual constraints.
Recommendations that
1. the impact on the health service including dentistry is considered as
part the Planning process
2. it is ensured that the Planning department work with the PCT so that
they are aware of future plans and developments which can feed in to
their decision process
3. support is provided to the dental commissioner for Derbyshire PCT
to understand the local needs e.g. community forums, citizens panel,
parish councils
4. it is ensured that the Joint Associate Director of Public Health
maintains a relationship with the dental commissioner for Derbyshire
PCT and provides regular updates on the actions for the areas in the
district on the Top 10 list which is shared via the scrutiny health group
5. the report is Issued to Chesterfield Borough Council and North East
Derbyshire District Council so that they are aware of the status of
dentistry in the area
6. the review is closed.
40
Appendix A
CVP local voices report September 2007
Are you happy with the services provided by the dentists ?
Town
Total
Yes
No
n/a
responses
Volume
%
Volume
%
New Houghton
73
42
57
9
12
19
Carr Vale & New
64
35
54
17
26
10
Bolsover
Bolsover central
153
22
14
37
24
8
Castle estates
35
16
45
15
42
3
Hillstown
74
47
63
14
19
10
Elmton & Creswell
118
46
39
29
24
34
Hodthorpe
44
18
40
6
13
12
Westhouses
37
19
51
7
18
10
Shirebrook
142
68
47
30
21
32
Langwith &Whaley
56
20
35
13
23
17
thorns
South Normanton
121
71
58
25
20
21
Newton
73
34
46
15
20
17
Glapwell Rowthorne
52
21
40
10
19
14
Bramley Vale & Doe
19
13
68
2
10
2
Lea
Pinxton
44
18
40
8
18
8
Broadmeadows
Pleasley
35
14
40
3
8
12
Blackwell
30
10
33
8
26
7
Hilcote
28
13
46
6
21
3
Tibshelf
46
11
23
7
15
18
Shuttlewood
11
7
63
1
9
2
Stanfree
Barlborough
50
25
50
5
10
14
Whitwell
70
28
40
12
17
5
Clowne
63
22
35
22
35
12
Total
1438
620
43
301
20
290
41
Appendix B
Dentists within the district
Name
Area
postcode
n
e
r
w
e
r
e
e
t
S
f
e
f
o
n
r
g
n
i
l
d
H
w
a
e
g
h
e
h
l
t
s
c
N
u
r
g
t
s
r
n
S
c
d
u
r
i
n
n
g
t
s
f
o
g
H
g
a
g
t
e
l
o
i
s
t
i
e
t
i
n
t
i
n
N
t
i
n
t
i
n
s
g
a
p
r
s
p
g
p
p
l
p
e
y
e
e
i
d
t
a
r
e
c
8
c
i
n
c
m
S
v
t
S
c
1
c
y
e
n
a
c
x
H
r
o
e
o
H
A
0-
A
p
A
e
N
P
d
N
N
L Dugmore
Shirebrook
NG20 8AJ
Yes
M B Dental
Shirebrook
NG20 8AJ
No
No
No
No
Yes
Joesbury R A
Clowne
S43 4PH
No
No
No
No
Yes
Creswell Dental Practice
Worksop
S80 4DE
No
No
No
No
Yes
Neil McLean
Worksop
S80 4DE
No
No
No
No
Yes
Oasis
Bolsover
S44 6PN
No
No
No
No
Yes
Genesis
South
DE55 3DA
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Normanton
Glendair
South
DE55 2BP
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Normanton
42
Dentists outside the district
Name
Area
postcode
n
e
r
w
e
r
e
e
t
S
f
e
f
o
n
r
g
n
i
l
d
H
w
a
e
g
h
e
h
l
t
s
c
N
u
r
g
t
s
r
n
S
c
d
u
r
i
n
n
g
t
s
f
o
g
H
g
a
g
t
e
l
o
i
s
t
i
e
t
i
n
t
i
n
N
t
i
n
t
i
n
s
g
a
p
r
s
p
g
p
p
l
p
e
y
e
e
i
d
t
a
r
e
c
8
c
i
n
c
m
S
v
t
S
c
1
c
y
e
n
a
c
x
H
r
o
e
o
H
A
0-
A
p
A
e
N
P
d
N
N
Arblaster, Locheah & Doran
Alfreton
DE55 7AH
No
No
No
No
Yes
Dawett
Alfreton
DE55 7BR
No
No
No
No
Yes
Jenkinson Maunder Vipond
Alfreton
DE55 7JJ
No
No
No
No
Yes
Swanwick Dental Practice
Alfreton
DE55 1AB
No
No
No
No
Yes
Khams
Alfreton
DE55 4LP
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Jacksdale Dental Centre
Nottingham
NG16 5JW
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
SJP Thacker
Mansfield
NG18 2BT
Yes
Dental Care centre
Mansfield
NG18 1QJ
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Denticare
Mansfield
NG18 2AF
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Jackson and Rigby
Mansfield
NG18 2BT
Yes
Seven Dental
Mansfield
NG18 1HU
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Hall and Purchase
Mansfield
NG20 0BN
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
CMJ Kirkpatrick
Mansfield
NG19 8BB
Yes
J Whitbread
Mansfield
NG19 8BU
No
No
No
No
Yes
Mrs S C Prentice
Mansfield
NG19 8AB
Yes
Robinson and Thelwell
Staveley
S43 3UX
Yes
Jonathan Ward
Staveley
S43 3UT
No
No
No
No
Yes
Hasland Dental
Chesterfield
S41 OAG
No
No
No
No
Yes
Brimington Dental Practice
Chesterfield
S43 1AD
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
43
44
Committee:
Executive
Agenda
8
Item No.:
Date:
12th May 2008
Status
Open
Category
3. Part of the Budget and Policy Framework
Subject:
Compliments, Comments, Complaints and Freedom of
Information Requests
Report by:
Customer Service and Access Officer
Other Officers
Involved
Director
Chief Executive Officer
Relevant
Customer Focused Services
Portfolio Holder
RELEVANT CORPORATE AIMS
CUSTOMER FOCUSED SERVICES – Providing excellent customer focused
services
STRATEGIC ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Continually improving our
organisation.
The effective management of complaints and customer requests is central to good
customer service. It also provides a good source of information which the Council
can use to improve services.
TARGETS
Local performance indicators for handling written complaints and Ombudsman
complaints.
VALUE FOR MONEY
A centralised complaints and freedom of information requests service maximises
the use of staffing resources as well as the provision of management information.
THE REPORT
To provide information on the number of compliments, comments, complaints
and freedom of information requests for the period 1st January 2008 to 31st
March 2008 together with a summary for 2007/08.
Compliments
Table A shows the number of written compliments received for the period
01/01/08 to 31/03/08. In total 40 written compliments were received with the
44
majority appreciating the help and assistance provided by council employees.
The speed of service or response is also much appreciated by customers.
Comments
Table B shows the number of written comments received for the period. All 23
comments were responded to within the customer service standard of 20
working days. On average it took 11 working days to provide a written
response.
Table C shows the above information by department.
Regarding any trends, there were 5 requests for more varied music in the gym
– Kissingate and Creswell Leisure Centre.
Complaints
Stage one
Stage one complaints refer to expressions of dissatisfaction made verbally by
customers. The table below provides a breakdown of stage one complaints
handled by the Contact Centres by service area and volume for the period
01/01/08 to 31/03/08:
Stage One Complaints
Service Area
01/04/07
01/07/07
01/10/07
01/01/08
to
to
to
to
30/06/07
30/09/07
31/12/07
31/03/08
Complaints regarding housing repairs e.g.
46
53
63
58
out of time, quality
Complaints regarding refuse, grounds
176
143
105
90
maintenance, cleansing services e.g. not
returning bin to collection point, missed
green bin collection
Missed clinical waste collection
42
43
38
40
Missed domestic bin collection
444
330
217
238
Missed blue box collection
334
121
75
78
Bin not fully emptied
14
7
4
7
Total
1056
697
502
511
Stage two
Table D shows the number of stage two or written complaints received for the
period by date order. All 25 stage two complaints received were responded to
within the customer service standard of 20 working days. On average it took
13 working days to provide a written response.
45
Table E shows the above information by department.
There were no distinct complaint trends for this period.
Stage three
Table F shows the number of stage three complaints received for the period
by date order. These are complainants who have already made a stage two
complaint and still feel dissatisfied. During this period 4 stage three
complaints were received, of which 3 or 75% were responded to within
standard. On average it took 19 days to provide a written response.
Ombudsman
Table G shows the status of Ombudsman complaints for 2007/08 as of 23rd
April 2008. During this period three complaints have been received and
responded to. Two decisions from the Ombudsman have been received
during this period both stating ‘no or insufficient evidence of
maladministration’.
A separate report covering the Annual Letter from the Local Government
Ombudsman will be brought for information when received.
Freedom of Information (FOI)
Table H shows the number of requests for ‘freedom of information’ for the
period 01/01/08 to 31/03/08 by date order. Of the 50 requests received, 47
(94%) were responded to within the government standard of 20 working days,
3 (6%) took longer than the standard.
Table I shows the above information by department.
Performance
A target of 85% had been set for responding to stage two complaints within 20
working days for 2007/08. For this period 100% was achieved, the highest
performance so far this financial year and bringing the overall performance in
above target at 89%.
Customer Satisfaction
From 1st April 2007 a customer satisfaction survey form has been issued with
each written response. For this period 3 completed forms have been received
producing a response rate of 12%. 66% were satisfied overall with the
complaints handling service. Table J provides a breakdown of the results for
this period.
46
Below are a couple of comments taken from the completed survey forms:
“Very pleased with how quickly the complaint was resolved”
“To send information when promised” (Referring to a structural report).
Summary for 2007/08
The following tables provide a summary of performance for compliments,
comments, complaints and freedom of information requests for 2007/08.
Volume and Performance
By Type
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
2007/08
2006/07
Total
Total
Compliments
33
42
52
40
167
157
Comments
17
16
9
23
65
140
Stage 2 Complaints
37
30
30
25
122
203
Stage 3 Complaints
5
4
8
4
21
22
Total
92
92
99
92
375
522
Stage 1 Complaints
1056
697
502
511
2766
-
% Comments
82
88
100
100
93
78
responded to within
standard
Average response
16
11
17
11
14
16
in days
% Stage 2
81
80
93
100
89
74
responded to within
standard
Average response
18
16
14
13
15
17
in days
% Stage 3
60
75
100
75
78
91
responded to within
standard
Average response
22
11
11
19
16
15
in days
FOI – no. of
30
29
38
50
147
101
requests
% Requests
90
93
92
94
92
85
responded to within
standard
Average response
12
13
12
12
12
15
in days
When comparing 2007/08 to the previous year of 2006/07, the following is
noted:
47
Received similar volumes of written compliments and stage three
complaints.
Received fewer written comments and stage two complaints, the latter
showing a 40% reduction.
Received more FOI requests, an increase of 45%.
Responded to more customer requests within standard - written
comments (+15%), stage two complaints (+15%) and FOI requests
(+7%).
Responded on average more quickly by 2 working days for written
comments and stage two complaints and by 3 working days for FOI
requests.
Responded within standard to less stage three complaints by 13% and
taking on average an extra day to respond.
Customer Feedback
The following changes have been made as a result of customer feedback
obtained through comments and complaints:
Provision of an adult swim lane during the day at Creswell Leisure
Centre.
A bike rack placed outside of Creswell Leisure Centre.
New procedure put in place to monitor cleanliness at Kissingate Leisure
Centre and a dedicated area assigned for food consumption and
children’s parties.
A website form (service request) changed.
Sirens not to be used on refuse vehicles before 7.00am.
Some temporary staffing resources secured for Contact Centres.
Some speed signs erected at Sherwood Lodge.
A redesigned customer notice for visitors.
Change to procedure notifying respective parties of Anti-Social
Behaviour Orders.
Change made to procedure for collecting witness statements in anti-
social behaviour cases.
Revenue Services to notify Finance Department of bereavements to help
keep the ‘gold card’ database upto date.
Customer Satisfaction
27 completed satisfaction survey forms were received from stage two
customers making a response rate of 22%. Overall 63% were satisfied with
the complaints handling service. The tables below provide a breakdown of the
results:
Satisfaction
Satisfied
(%)
Overall, how satisfied with the amount of time for
63
you to receive a written reply to your complaint
Overall, how easy did you find the process of
81
making a written complaint
48
How satisfied were you with the overall quality of
63
the complaints handling service
Outcome
Yes
No
Partially
Was your complaint resolved to your
30%
33%
37%
satisfaction
Customer Requirements
Agree (%)
I was informed of how my written complaint was
88
going to be handled
It was clear who to contact for assistance whilst
71
my complaint was being considered
The written response to my complaint is clear and
85
understandable
The written response to my complaint addresses
73
the issues I raised
I know what to do if I remain dissatisfied about my
80
complaint
I was treated fairly
63
ISSUES/OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
The levels of compliments, comments and complaints received in the period
IMPLICATIONS
Financial: - None
Legal: - None
Human Resources: - None
RECOMMENDATION(S)
1. That the report be received
REASON FOR DECISION TO BE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CONSTITUTION
To keep Members informed of volumes and trends regarding compliments,
comments, complaints and freedom of information requests.
ATTACHMENTS:
Y
Table A: Compliments summary for the period 01/01/08– 31/03/08
Table B: Comments summary for the period 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Table C: Comments summary by department 2007/08
Table D: Stage two complaints summary for the period 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
49
Table E: Stage two complaints summary by department 2007/08
Table F: Stage three complaints summary for the period 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Table G: Ombudsman complaints summary for 2007/08
Table H: Freedom of information summary for the period 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Table I: Freedom of information summary by department 2007/08
Table J: Complaints handling satisfaction summary for 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
FILE REFERENCE: - N/A
SOURCE DOCUMENT: - N/A
50
Table A - COMPLIMENTS SUMMARY 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Compliment
Departments Involved
Received
04/01/08
Pinxton
Help and assistance during Lantern parade
Leisure
04/01/08
Redhill, Surrey
Help and kindness during a dispute over a clearance
Customer Service and
charge
Performance
04/01/08
Clowne
Help and assistance on New Year's Eve
Community Services
09/01/08
Unknown
Speed of help and assistance with an enquiry
Planning
10/01/08
Blackwell
Speed of repair to radiator - operative polite and
Housing
professional
11/01/08
Creswell
Speed of response for replacement bus pass
Contact Centres
Finance
15/01/08
Shirebrook
Standard of help from Planning staff
Planning
16/01/08
Bramley Vale
Prompt service and courteous manner
Contact Centres
16/01/08
Pleasley Vale
Efficient service provided through email enquiries
Customer Service and
Performance
18/01/08
Creswell
Help and consideration from Creswell Leisure Centre
Leisure
staff
18/01/08
Pinxton
Prompt service from Contact Centre and Repairs
Contact Centres Housing
staff
18/01/08
Whitwell
Helpfulness of Leisure Centre staff
Leisure
23/01/08
Clowne
Swift response to flytipping
Environmental Health
25/01/08
Clowne
Prompt response from Head of Environmental Health
Environmental Health
25/01/08
Creswell
Help to get funding from Head of Environmental
Environmental Health
Health
28/01/08
Chesterfield
Thanks for monies raised through fund raising
Housing
29/01/08
Eckington
Thanks for considerate help and advice when mother
Contact Centres
died
29/01/08
Shirebrook
Prompt and efficient repair of toilet
Housing
51
Table A - COMPLIMENTS SUMMARY 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Compliment
Departments Involved
Received
29/01/08
Creswell
Prompt and helpful service given
Community Services
30/01/08
Pinxton
Prompt and efficient service for replacement bus
Contact Centres Finance
pass
01/02/08
Shirebrook
A big thank you to all who helped with the move
Housing
especially the repairs team
05/02/08
Barlborough
Thank you to Creswell Leisure Centre staff (Bolsover
Leisure
Wellness)
04/02/08
Bolsover
Thank you to Creswell Leisure Centre staff (Bolsover
Leisure
Wellness)
13/02/08
Heanor
Appreciation of vigilant lifeguards at Creswell Leisure
Leisure
Centre
13/02/08
Tibshelf
Praise for Gymnastics Festival
Leisure
13/02/08
Tibshelf
Praise for Gymnastics Festival
Leisure
13/02/08
Newton
Help and advice from Principal Planner
Planning
12/02/08
Clowne
Help and advice from Revenues staff
Revenues
12/02/08
Mansfield
Thanks for contributing to success of Meden Valley
Regeneration
Making Places
21/02/08
Clowne
Appreciation of Work Experience Programme at
Leisure
Heritage School, Clowne
21/02/08
North Anston
Thank you for providing a rent free fundraising
Environmental Health
Sheffield
market stall
21/02/08
Elmton with
Thanks for help with developing parish website
Chief Executive and
Creswell
Partnership Team
22/02/08
Langwith
Help and assistance during 2007
Community Services
Junction
27/02/08
New Houghton
Help from Admin Assistant with an enquiry
Human Resources
28/02/08
South
Appreciation of work on play area
Street Services
52
Table A - COMPLIMENTS SUMMARY 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Compliment
Departments Involved
Received
Normanton
28/02/08
Creswell
Thanks to refuse team
Street Services
05/03/08
Leeds
Helpfulness of Planning Department
Planning
07/03/08
Unknown
Rubbish removed quickly and efficiently
Street Services
13/03/08
Barker
Support from Village Sports Development Officer
Leisure
during athletics programme
18/03/08
Creswell
Excellent support provided to husband following an
Leisure
epileptic fit
19/03/08
Chesterfield
Excellent service in obtaining Local Authority Search
Legal
53
Table B - SUMMARY OF COMMENTS 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Comment
Departments
Date
No of
Summary of Response
Received
Involved
Response
work days
Sent
to
process
09/01/08
Bolsover
Suggestion to restrict car park on
Regeneration
14/01/08
3
Explanation car parks are
Cross Street for use by residents
for all members of public
during the evenings
and not just local residents
10/01/08
Glapwell
Unhappy that has to pay for
Street Services
07/02/08
20
Explanation and
replacement bin after original
specification of relevant Act
stolen
14/01/08
Clowne
Payment of council tax by
Revenues
30/01/08
12
Re-iterated advice given by
standing order - still wants to
Head of Revenue Services
have same choice of direct debit
in letter dated 11th Jan
payment dates
2008
16/01/08
Shirebrook
Suggestion for a swimming pool
Leisure
28/01/08
8
Explanation of sports
and ice rink in Shirebrook
provision in district
22/01/08
Clowne
Suggests selling off garages if
Housing
06/02/08
11
Re-iterated advice given by
can not charge nominal rent
Head of Housing in letter
dated 15th November 2007
23/01/08
Bolsover
Cashier to be able to advise
Contact Centres
30/01/08
5
Apology and explanation
customer of balances
that this service should
have been provided
08/02/08
Bolsover
Not enough receptionists on duty
Contact Centres
13/02/08
3
Apology/explanation that
more staff currently being
recruited
13/02/08
Heanor
Creswell Leisure Centre floor
Leisure
12/03/08
20
Apology and explanation of
dirty
cleaning procedures
54
Table B - SUMMARY OF COMMENTS 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Comment
Departments
Date
No of
Summary of Response
Received
Involved
Response
work days
Sent
to
process
18/02/08
Creswell
Would like green bin recycling
Street Services
25/02/08
5
Unable to extend due to
scheme extending to start in
resource implications so
February
targetting heaviest demand
22/02/08
Clowne
Cold air in ladies changing rooms
Leisure
13/02/08
14
Apology and matter
(Creswell Leisure Centre)
resolved directly by
Manager
29/02/08
Worksop
Refuse lorry blocking road for an
Street Services
14/03/08
10
Apology and explanation of
hour
action to be taken if this
happens again
03/03/08
Clowne
Various litter hotspots in Clowne
Street Services
14/03/08
9
Explanation of action to
Environmental
date and future action
Health
Leisure
Community
Services
06/03/08
Creswell
Would like a bike rack outside
Leisure
12/03/08
4
Advised one to be procured
Creswell Leisure Centre
in April 2008
07/03/08
Barlborough
Applied to purchase land at the
Regeneration
19/03/08
8
Explanation of price quoted
rear of property
for land adjacent to property
17/03/08
Clowne
Anti social behaviour near
Community
03/04/08
9
Explanation of work done
Heritage School, Clowne
Services
around the area
Street Services
Leisure
20/03/08
Whitwell
Would like authorisation number
Contact Centres
22/04/08
16
Investigated with the
repeating on Automated
supplier and ascertained
Telephone Payment facility
that pressing # key will
55
Table B - SUMMARY OF COMMENTS 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Comment
Departments
Date
No of
Summary of Response
Received
Involved
Response
work days
Sent
to
process
repeat an instruction
25/03/08
Shirebrook
Unhappy about the level of
Leisure
16/04/08
16
Advised new procedure put
cleanliness - main hall,
into place to monitor
Kissingate Leisure Centre
cleanliness, a dedicated
area assigned for food
consumption (kids parties)
27/03/08
Pleasley
Would like a smaller bin as
Street Services
21/04/08
17
Advised that a smaller bin
recycles majority of waste
has been ordered
27/03/08
Creswell
Would like more varied music in
Leisure
16/04/08
14
Advised what other options
the gym - Creswell Leisure
being considered
Centre
27/03/08
Shirebrook
Would like more varied music in
Leisure
16/04/08
14
Advised what other options
the gym - Kissingate Leisure
being considered
Centre
27/03/08
Shirebrook
Would like more varied music in
Leisure
16/04/08
14
Advised what other options
the gym - Kissingate Leisure
being considered
Centre
27/03/08
Shirebrook
Would like more varied music in
Leisure
16/04/08
14
Advised what other options
the gym - Kissingate Leisure
being considered
Centre
27/03/08
Shirebrook
Would like more varied music in
Leisure
16/04/08
14
Advised what other options
the gym - Kissingate Leisure
being considered
Centre
56
Table C: Comments Summary by Department 2007/08
Department/Section
01/04/07 – 30/06/07
01/07/07 – 30/09/07
01/10/07 – 31/12/07
e
e
e
d
d
d
t
s
e
d
t
i
m
t
s
e
d
t
i
m
t
s
e
d
t
i
m
n
d
e
e
f
n
d
e
e
f
n
d
e
e
f
e
n
d
o
e
n
d
o
e
n
d
o
f
o
t
i
m
n
t
f
o
t
i
m
n
t
f
o
t
i
m
n
t
o
m
p
o
u
o
m
p
o
u
o
m
p
o
u
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
o
o
o
e
o
s
o
o
o
e
o
s
o
o
o
e
o
s
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
r
e
t
o
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
e
r
t
o
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
r
e
t
o
Contact Centres
1
1
2
2
Customer Service &
1
1
Performance
Community Services
2
1
1
1
1
Environmental Health
2
2
1
1
Street Services
4
3
1
6
5
1
3
3
Housing
4
3
1
2
2
1
1
Legal
1
1
Leisure
5
5
4
4
2
2
Planning
2
2
1
1
Regeneration
1
1
Revenues
1
1
Totals
21
18
3
17
15
2
9
9
(86%)
(14%)
(88%)
(12%)
(100%)
57
Table C: Comments Summary by Department 2007/08
Department/Section
01/01/08 – 31/03/08
2007/2008 Summary
e
e
d
d
t
s
e
d
t
i
m
t
s
e
d
t
i
m
n
d
e
e
f
n
d
e
e
f
e
n
d
o
e
n
d
o
f
o
t
i
m
n
t
f
o
t
i
m
n
t
o
m
p
o
u
o
m
p
o
u
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
o
o
o
e
o
s
o
o
o
e
o
s
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
r
e
t
o
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
e
r
t
o
Contact Centres
3
3
6
6
Customer Service &
1
1
Performance
Community Services
2
2
5
3
2
Environmental Health
1
1
4
4
Street Services
6
6
19
17
2
Housing
1
1
8
7
1
Legal
1
1
Leisure
12
12
23
23
Planning
3
3
Regeneration
2
2
3
3
Revenues
1
1
2
2
Totals
28
28
75
70
5
(100%)
(93%)
58
Table D - Summary of Complaints 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Complaint
Departments
Date
No of
Remedy
Received
Involved
Response
work
Sent
days to
process
02/01/08
Clowne
Unhappy about the delay in
Housing
10/01/08
6 Explained homeless duty
getting a council house
and advised how to
progress housing application
08/01/08
Clowne
Incorrect receipt for Council
Contact Centres
23/01/08
11 Account credited with
Tax
correct amount, an apology
09/01/08
South
Unhappy about the ongoing
Housing
28/01/08
14 Explanation of action taken
Normanton
condensation problems and
and future work planned,
not receiving a report as
apology for not sending the
promised
report at the time
09/01/08
Bolsover
Repair to toilet not classed
Housing
06/02/08
20 Explanation of assessment
as an emergency
and advice for future
reporting of repairs
11/01/08
Bolsover
Unhappy about the conduct
Street Services
07/02/08
19 Apology and explanation of
of the Refuse Team
refuse collection procedure
15/01/08
Whitwell
Not had any contact re:
Housing
08/02/08
18 Housing Needs Manager
housing application
dealing with complainant
directly
16/01/08
Bolsover
Did not receive notification
Housing
04/02/08
13 Apology and explanation of
of Anti-Social Behaviour
change to procedure
Order
17/01/08
Shirebrook
Not received grant funding
Regeneration
04/02/08
12 Explanation of scheme
criteria
18/01/08
Whitwell
Sauna closed because of
Leisure
28/01/08
6 Resolved informally by
repairs to bench
Leisure Services Manager
59
Table D - Summary of Complaints 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Complaint
Departments
Date
No of
Remedy
Received
Involved
Response
work
Sent
days to
process
18/01/08
Kirkby in
Behaviour of bailiffs
Revenues
07/02/08
10 Explanation of bailiff
Ashfield
procedure
01/02/08
Barlborough
Lack of support regarding
Community
28/02/08
19 Explanation of assessment
anti-social neighbours
Services
to be made
04/02/08
Bolsover
Unhappy with parking
Housing
03/03/08
20 Explanation of action taken
situation now garage site
Community
re illegal parking and how to
facility removed
Services
report anti social behaviour
06/02/08
Clowne
Information not sent out in
Finance
25/02/08
13 Apology for tight timescale
suitable font and not being
and explanation of how
given enough time to
scheme is administered
respond (gold card
application)
08/02/08
Bolsover
Inaction regarding a leaking
Contact Centres
27/02/08
13 Explanation of reporting
pipe
Housing
process for repairs and that
repair was carried out within
timescale
14/02/08
Shirebrook
Entrance door to flat is too
Housing
11/03/08
19 Explanation of work to be
heavy and causing
done in relation to the door
difficulties
(different handles, self
closer)
19/02/08
Bramley
Repairs not carried out and
Housing
22/02/08
3 Explanation of repairs to
Vale
to a suitable standard
date and visits. Another visit
arranged
19/02/08
South
Wrong information given
Leisure
28/02/08
7 Apology and offer of free
Normanton
regarding leisure activities
activity at Leisure Centre
26/02/08
Blackwell
Recycling not collected
Street Services
28/02/08
2 Explanation of recyclate
and contractors attitude
contamination, an apology
60
Table D - Summary of Complaints 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Complaint
Departments
Date
No of
Remedy
Received
Involved
Response
work
Sent
days to
process
27/02/08
Glapwell
Repairs not carried out
Housing Repairs
06/03/08
6 Explanation of repairs to
date and future action
planned
27/02/08
Shirebrook
Unhappy with being
Housing
05/03/08
5 Explained why the garage
charged for removal of
was removed (unsafe) and
garage
that the Council can claim
costs from tenant
27/02/08
Barlborough
Fence plinth broken by
Street Services
31/03/08
19 No liability accepted
lawn mower
following a visit
07/03/08
Whitwell
Unhappy that personal
Housing
31/03/08
13 Explanation of process and
details were released when
advice for statement making
complainant made a
- procedure tightened for
statement
future anti-social behaviour
cases
12/03/08
Clowne
Complaint regarding the
Street Services
28/03/08
9 Cut back to resident's
tree overhanging property
satisfaction
26/03/08
Barlborough
Applied to purchase land at
Regeneration
21/04/08
18 Accepted some delays in
the rear of property and not
the process – new price
happy with the response
offered
31/03/08
South
New gold card received for
Finance
16/04/08
12
Apology for distress and
Normanton
deceased wife
explanation that changes
made internally to update
gold card database
61
Table E - Complaints (Stage 2) Summary by Department 2007/08
Department/Section
01/04/07 – 30/06/07
01/07/07 – 30/09/07
01/10/07- 31/12/07
e
e
e
t
s
d
d
d
e
d
t
i
m
t
s
e
d
t
i
m
t
s
e
d
t
i
m
i
n
d
e
e
f
i
n
d
e
e
f
i
n
d
e
e
f
n
d
o
n
d
o
n
d
o
f
l
a
o
t
i
m
n
t
f
l
a
o
t
i
m
n
t
f
l
a
o
t
i
m
n
t
o
p
p
o
u
o
p
p
o
u
o
p
p
o
u
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
o
o
o
e
o
s
o
o
o
e
o
s
o
o
o
e
o
s
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
r
e
t
o
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
r
e
t
o
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
r
e
t
o
Contact Centres
5
5
6
6
5
5
Customer Service &
2
2
1
1
2
2
Performance
Community Services
3
2
1
3
3
1
1
Democratic Services
1
1
Environmental Health
6
5
1
1
1
1
1
Street Services
13
10
3
5
5
9
9
Housing
12
10
2
9
5
4
6
4
2
Leisure
2
2
5
5
Planning
1
1
4
3
1
Regeneration
1
1
2
2
Revenues
3
3
1
1
4
4
Totals
45
38
7
33
27
6
36
34
2
(84%)
(16%)
(82%)
(18%)
(94%)
(6%)
62
Table E - Complaints (Stage 2) Summary by Department 2007/08
Department/Section
01/01/08 – 31/03/08
2007/08 Summary
e
e
t
s
d
d
e
d
t
i
m
t
s
e
d
t
i
m
i
n
d
e
e
f
i
n
d
e
e
f
n
d
o
n
d
o
f
l
a
o
t
i
m
n
t
f
l
a
o
t
i
m
n
t
o
p
p
o
u
o
p
p
o
u
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
.
m
.
s
i
n
.
p
o
o
o
o
e
o
s
o
o
o
e
o
s
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
r
e
t
o
N
C
N
R
t
o
N
r
e
t
o
Contact Centres
2
2
18
18
Customer Service &
5
5
Performance
Community Services
2
2
9
8
1
Democratic Services
1
1
Environmental Health
8
7
1
Street Services
4
4
31
28
3
Finance
2
2
2
2
Housing
12
12
39
31
8
Leisure
2
2
9
9
Planning
5
4
1
Regeneration
2
2
5
5
Revenues
1
1
9
9
Totals
27
27
141
127
14
(100%)
(90%)
63
Table F - Summary of Stage Three Complaints 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Area
Summary of Complaint
Departments
Date
No of
Remedy
Received
Involved
Response
work
Sent
days
21/01/08
Shirebrook
Still unhappy having to pay for
Street Services
07/02/08
13
Re-iterated previous advice
replacement bin
of either paying for a
replacement bin or
supplying a suitable bin
21/01/08
Whitwell
Service requests have not been
Street Services
18/02/08
20
Re-iterated requests
actioned
actioned and when
25/02/08
Shirebrook
Still unhappy that grant was not
Regeneration
17/03/08
15
Re-iterated grant assessed
awarded
properly and did not match
criteria
27/02/08
Whitwell
Unhappy about the way an
Housing
08/04/08
26
Apology for delay in
earlier housing application was
responding. Explanation of
handled
current housing status and
background. No record of
an earlier application
64
Table G - Summary of Ombudsman Complaints 2007/08
Date
Area
Ombudsman’s Summary of
Departments
Date
No. of
Date
Ombudsman's
Received
Complaint
Involved
Response
Calendar
Decision
Decision
Sent
Days
Letter
Received
25/04/07 Doncaster
Complainant complaints of
Housing
31.5.07 and
36 06.08.07
Ombudsman's
delay, lack of cooperative
clarification
discretion to
working and poor customer
16.7.07
discontinue the
service by Doncaster
investigation due to
Metropolitan Borough Council
insufficient evidence of
and Bolsover District Council
injustice.
in the way they have handled
his requests for assistance
regarding his
homelessness/threatened
homelessness
13/08/07 Kinver
Club claiming no dialogue
Environmental
Handled
N/A
13.08.07
Ombudsman's
with the Council since serving
Health
informally
discretion to
an abatement order to abate
discontinue the
noise nuisance
investigation due to
evidence of substantial
liaison between parties
since the serving of the
abatement notice
15/10/07 New
That the Council failed to take
Planning
20/11/07
36 14.02.08
No or insufficient
Houghton
proper account of highway
evidence of
safety issues when it
maladministration
considered the planning
Ombudsman satisfied
application for 17 houses to
that the Council dealt
be built in New Houghton in
with the planning
2006
application properly.
65
Table G - Summary of Ombudsman Complaints 2007/08
Date
Area
Ombudsman’s Summary of
Departments
Date
No. of
Date
Ombudsman's
Received
Complaint
Involved
Response
Calendar
Decision
Decision
Sent
Days
Letter
Received
18/10/07 Creswell
Ongoing problems with noisy
Housing
Handled
N/A
19/11/08
No or insufficient
heating system
informally
evidence of
maladministration
Ombudsman satisfied
that Council has taken
all reasonable steps and
made a number of offers
to transfer
28/11/07 Blackwell
Unfair treatment regarding
Housing
14/12/07
16
Open awaiting
neighbour dispute
Community
decision from the
Services
Ombudsman
28/02/08 Bolsover
Unhappy that the Council did
Housing
13/03/08
14
31/03/08
No or insufficient
not do more for relatives
evidence of
when the ball valve failed and
maladministration
caused damage
Ombudsman satisfied
that the Council was
only required to carry out
repairs and not to
undertake decoration
works
12/03/08 Clowne
Still unhappy with Planning
Planning
09/04/08
26
Open awaiting
decision regarding a
Legal
decision from the
development in Clowne
Ombudsman
20/03/08 Bramley
The way the repair to leaking
Housing
03/04/08
14
Open awaiting
Vale
toilet and replacement was
decision from the
handled
Ombudsman
66
Table H - Summary of Freedom of Information Requests 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Summary of FOI
Departments
Date
No of
Information
Received
Involved
Response
work
Released
Sent
days
02/01/2008
Information on Section 215 notices
Planning
15/01/2008
9
No
03/01/2008
Subject Access request re: CCTV (Data Protection)
Community
12/02/2008
20
Partial
Services
07/01/2008
Information on Food Safety Inspections and Health & Safety
Env Health
29/01/2008
16
Yes
Inspections
08/01/2008
Information about non standard construction houses
Housing
15/01/2008
5
Yes
08/01/2008
Request for environmental data/records for a site in Clowne
Env Health
29/01/2008
16
EIR1
11/01/2008
Information regarding benefits, council tax and business rates
Revenues
06/02/2008
18
Yes
written off
09/01/2008
Information regarding implications of 2008 Concessionary Bus
Finance
28/01/2008
13
Partial
Fare Scheme
17/01/2008
Information regarding waste collections
Street Services
25/01/2008
6
Yes
18/01/2008
Various Corporate Documents and organisational chart
ICT
08/02/2008
15
Yes
18/01/2008
Various Corporate Documents and organisational chart
All depts
14/02/2008
19
Yes
18/01/2008
Information re: external auditors
Finance
29/01/2008
7
Yes
Information re Councillors' allowances, salaries for executive
HR
21/01/2008
staff and agency staff expenditure
Finance
14/02/2008
18
Yes
Cancelled by
21/01/2008
Planning decision at Alfreton
Planning
25/01/08
4
requester
Information on number of residents in Bolsover District and
Democratic
22/01/2008
Council owned buildings
Services
19/02/2008
20
Yes
23/01/2008
Notices and orders served by the authority
All depts
19/02/2008
19
Yes
26/01/2008
Information regarding recruitment to senior positions
HR
06/02/2008
8
Partial
29/01/2008
Various Corporate Documents and organisational chart
All depts
27/02/2008
21
Yes
1 Environmental Information Request – Processed by Environmental Health who provide as much information as possible
67
Table H - Summary of Freedom of Information Requests 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Summary of FOI
Departments
Date
No of
Information
Received
Involved
Response
work
Released
Sent
days
30/01/2008
Information regarding bankruptcy/Council Tax collection
Revenues
26/02/2008
19
No
CSPD
ICT
30/01/2008
Telephone access to council services
21/02/2008
16
Yes
30/01/2008
Information regarding Van Dyke Hotel, Clowne
Env Health
08/02/2008
7
Partial
31/01/2008
Information regarding Council use of Contractors in 2007
Procurement
27/02/2008
19
Partial
06/02/2008
Information regarding land charges
Legal
21/02/2008
11
No
06/02/2008
Information regarding land charges
Legal
21/02/2008
11
No
06/02/2008
Data protection breaches
CSPD
04/03/2008
19
No
11/02/2008
Information on beds for homeless
Housing
21/02/2008
8
No
Office of the Surveillance Commissioner /Office of the
11/02/2008
Interception of Communications Commissioner information
Legal
28/02/2008
13
Yes
13/02/2008
Information on housing waiting list information
Housing
08/04/2008
34
Yes
Clarification
18/02/2008
Street lighting maintenance information
Regeneration
21/02/2008
3
requested
Request for environmental data/records regarding land at
18/02/2008
South Normanton
Env Health
05/03/2008
13
EIR
Request for environmental data/records regarding two sites in
18/02/2008
South Normanton
Env Health
05/03/2008
13
EIR
19/02/2008
Planning of industrial estates
Planning
20/03/2008
22
Exempt
Env Health Legal
21/02/2008
Details of firework storage applicants
26/02/2008
3
No
25/02/2008
Details of contracts over £50,000 per annum
Procurement
03/03/2008
5
Yes
26/02/2008
Monkey Sanctuary Trust re: monitoring of primates
Env Health
12/03/2008
10
Yes
03/03/2008
Request for environmental data/records for a site in Bolsover
Env Health
20/03/2008
13
EIR
Democratic
04/03/2008
Electoral Roll information
Services
04/03/2008
0
Yes
68
Table H - Summary of Freedom of Information Requests 01/01/08 – 31/03/08
Date
Summary of FOI
Departments
Date
No of
Information
Received
Involved
Response
work
Released
Sent
days
04/03/2008
Information on cleaning contracts
Regeneration
06/03/2008
2
No
Housing Revenues
07/03/2008
Missing person enquiry (Sussex Police)
11/03/2008
2
No
Details of persons died since June 2007 passed onto Treasury
07/03/2008
Solicitor
Env Health
17/03/2008
6
No
Request for environmental data/records for a site near M1,
07/03/2008
South Normanton
Env Health
20/03/2008
9
EIR
11/03/2008
Cost of temporary and agency staff
Finance
08/04/2008
17
Yes
Housing Revenues
11/03/2008
Missing person enquiry (Sussex Police)
08/04/2008
17
Yes
13/03/2008
Post holder names and contact details
CSPD
17/03/2008
2
Partial
14/03/2008
Name of Schools and Head teachers on temporary contract
CSPD
17/03/2008
1
No
14/03/2008
Post holder names and contact details
CSPD
17/03/2008
1
Yes
17/03/2008
Copy of allocations scheme
Housing
02/04/2008
8
Yes
26/03/2008
Motorhome car park provision
Regeneration
02/04/2008
6
Exempt
26/03/2008
Childcare voucher provision
HR
02/04/2008
6
Yes
26/03/2008
Council Tax costs
Revenues
10/04/2008
11
Yes
28/03/2008
Information relating to stray dogs
Env Health
17/04/2008
14
Yes
69
Table I: Freedom of Information Summary by Department 2007-08
f
t
s
FOI
DP
EIR
t
s
FOI
DP
EIR
o
s
s
.
e
f
e
o
u
o
u
.
N
q
q
e
o
e
R
N
R
Customer Service and
2
2
1
1
Performance
Democratic Services
2
2
Environmental Health
2
2
9
3
6
Street Services
4
4
3
3
Finance
5
5
4
4
Housing
4
3
1
4
4
HR
8
8
3
3
ICT
1
1
Legal
1
1
1
1
Leisure
2
2
Planning
4
4
2
2
Regeneration
2
2
Revenues
3
2
1
31
30
1
36
29
1
6
Totals
70
Table I: Freedom of Information Summary by Department 2007-08
01/10/07– 31/12/07
01/01/08 – 31/03/08
2007-2008 Summary
Department/Section
f
f
f
o
n
o
n
n
n
o
n
t
s
t
i
o
t
s
t
i
o
t
s
t
i
o
s
m
a
s
m
a
t
i
o
s
m
a
t
i
o
f
e
o
f
e
o
c
f
e
o
c
o
u
d
r
m
o
u
d
r
m
o
u
d
r
m
.
q
e
.
q
e
t
a
t
e
.
q
e
t
a
t
e
o
e
r
e
f
o
I
R
o
e
r
e
f
o
a
r
o
I
R
o
e
r
e
f
o
a
r
o
I
R
N
R
F
I
n
E
N
R
F
I
n
D
P
E
N
R
F
I
n
D
P
E
All Departments
3
3
3
3
Customer Service
3
3
5
5
11
11
and Performance
Community Services
1
1
1
1
Democratic Services
3
3
2
2
7
7
Environmental
8
3
5
11
6
5
30
14
16
Health
Street Services
2
2
1
1
10
10
Finance
3
3
4
4
16
16
Housing
4
4
6
6
18
17
1
HR
4
4
3
3
18
18
ICT
2
2
2
2
5
5
Legal
5
5
4
4
11
11
Leisure
2
2
4
4
Planning
3
3
3
3
12
12
Procurement
1
1
2
2
3
3
Regeneration
2
2
3
3
7
7
Revenues
3
3
5
5
11
10
1
Totals
45
40
5
55
49
1
5
167
148
3
16
71
Table J – Complaint Handling Satisfaction Summary for 01/01/08 to 31/03/08
Statement
Strongly
Slightly
Neither
Slightly
Strongly
disagree
disagree
(%)
agree
agree
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
I was informed of how my written complaint was
0
0
0
0
100
going to be handled
It was clear who to contact for assistance whilst
0
33
0
0
67
my complaint was being considered
The written response to my complaint is clear and
0
0
0
0
100
understandable
The written response to my complaint addresses
0
33
0
33
34
the issues I raised
I know what to do if I remain dissatisfied about my
0
0
0
0
100
complaint
I was treated fairly
0
0
0
0
100
Outcome
Yes
No
Partially
Was your complaint resolved to your satisfaction
33
0
67
Satisfaction
Very
Quite
Neither
Quite
Very
satisfied
satisfied
(%)
dissatisfied
dissatisfied
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Overall, how satisfied with the amount of time for
100
0
0
0
0
you to receive a written reply to your complaint
Overall, how easy did you find the process of
67
33
0
0
0
making a written complaint
How satisfied were you with the overall quality of
33
33
34
0
0
the complaints handling service
72
Committee:
Executive
Agenda
10
Item No.:
Date:
12th May 2008
Status
Open
Category
Decision within the functions of Executive
Subject:
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2007-13
Approval of Priority Axis 2(PA2) Coalfields Areas Local
Investment Plan
Report by:
Economic Development and Projects Manager
Other Officers
Involved
Director
Director of Strategy
Relevant
Regeneration
Portfolio Holder
RELEVANT CORPORATE AIMS
ENVIRONMENT – Promoting and enhancing a clean and sustainable environment
by the direct support of schemes which have a direct benefit to the local
environment.
REGENERATION – Developing healthy, prosperous and sustainable communities
by directly supporting schemes to provide workspace, develop tourism initiatives
etc and thereby provide jobs.
SOCIAL INCLUSION - Promoting fairness, equality and Promoting fairness,
equality and lifelong learning by directly constructing to outputs that tackle
worklessness.
COMMUNITY SAFETY - Ensuring that communities are safe and secure by
directly contributing to schemes which protect local business.
TARGETS
Contained within the East Midlands ERDF Operational Programme Priority Axis 2
(PA2) is spatially targeted and aims to increase sustainable economic and
enterprise activity in the 12 disadvantaged district areas in the East Midlands,
including Bolsover.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Across the five coalfields PA2 district areas, the total indicative allocations amount
to £13.2m for period 2007-10.
Further allocations will be made for the period 2011-13.
Purpose of Report
To inform members of proposals for managing ERDF in Priority Axis 2 areas
of Bolsover and to give delegated powers to the Head of Regeneration, in
consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader, Chief Executive Officer and the
Director of Strategy, to approve the final coalfields ERDF local investment
plan on behalf of Bolsover.
73
Background
1. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is one of four Structural
Funds designed to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the
European Union. ERDF has been a key tool in addressing economic
underperformance in Bolsover. The Council has in the past been very
successful in securing ERDF to support its own projects, these include
construction of workspace, business support schemes, tourism
projects, and physical and community regeneration projects.
2. The new East Midlands ERDF programme will run from 2007-2013.
The programme consists of two Priority Axes: Priority Axis 1 (PA1)
focussed on innovation and resource efficiency throughout the East
Midlands, and Priority Axis 2 (PA2) which is spatially targeted and aims
to increase sustainable economic and enterprise activity.
3. PA2 funding is targeted on 12 disadvantaged district areas in the East
Midlands, five of which are in the former coalfields area - three in
Nottinghamshire (Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield) and two in
Derbyshire (Bolsover, Chesterfield).
4. Across the five coalfields PA2 district areas, the total indicative
allocations amount to £13.2m for period 2007-10. Further allocations
will be made for the period 2011-13. The programme monitoring
Committee has agreed that at least 80% of the PA2 funds (for the first
three operating years of the programme in the first instance) should be
allocated to the identified districts on an indicative basis. The indicative
allocation for Bolsover for these is £2,209,018.00
5. Each district area must identify bespoke economic and enterprise
activities to meet specific identified needs within its localities in the form
of a local investment plan, but may cooperate on a joint plan where
cooperation makes spatial and delivery sense.
6. A collaborative approach by the coalfields district areas to the funds is
deemed to offer very significant benefit including:
• maintaining a strategic approach to project activity, maximising the
scope for cross-district and cross-coalfields project work. The five
PA2 coalfields districts are adjacent to each other
• maintaining maximum flexibility in operation of the funds. For
example, the overall programme has a percentage target for
expenditure on jobs and growth and this would be shared in a
collaborative approach
• sharing administrative and managerial tasks associated with the
funds, thereby increasing efficiency and effectiveness
• simplifying access to the funds for bidders e.g. only one funding
application need be prepared for a project covering several district
areas
74
• optimising opportunities to spend the funds, for example in a year in
which a particular district area has no scheduled spend, another
district area could take up the allocation to front-load projects. This
will help avoid loss of funds to the entire coalfields area, because
under the N+2 arrangements unspent funds revert back to the
European Commission.
• to meet the Lisbon agenda aims of the programme by keeping
within the 77% of allocation requirement for spend, which will be
applied flexibly across the coalfields area.
7. The five district areas in the coalfields have a history of collaborating
on European funding programmes and have been working together
around a joint programme with governance and management
arrangements which:
• ensure democratic accountability
• are streamlined
• are timely to meet the very tight timescales required
8. EMDA is the managing body for the funds, and has stressed the need
to involve a range of local agencies, including local government, in
shaping and implementing the local investment plan. Recent guidance
from EMDA suggests that they are increasingly keen to see regional
economic development funding being used to support LAA delivery.
ISSUES/OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Proposed governance structure
9. Until now a group of officers from the relevant 5 district and 2 county
councils has been working together to develop the coalfields local
investment plan, (refer to Template Annex 1). This group largely
comprises officers who already have a role in shaping and delivering
the Sustainable Communities fourth block of the respective county
LAAs.
10. Guidance from EMDA states that all appropriate bodies must be
involved in a plan’s preparation and given an opportunity to determine
how the funds are utilised. Assurance must also be given to EMDA that
appropriate local partners have been involved in the preparation of the
plan and will have the opportunity to access funding. Consultation and
implementation through county LAAs will meet these requirements, as
will the opportunity for LSPs to nominate to the officer group, alongside
local authority representatives.
11. It is considered that a collective decision-making structure, drawn from
within the PA2 eligible areas only, will be necessary to ensure that the
coalfields local investment plan can be implemented and to reduce the
possibility of potential funding being lost to the area, particularly as
there are pressures of annual spend targets.
75
12. To undertake the detailed work necessary in delivery of a combined
allocation for the five district areas, the Nottinghamshire and
Derbyshire LAA Boards are requested to delegate the detailed work
necessary to a collective development and decision making grouping
whose role will be:
to ensure the local investment plan for the coalfields area
is drawn up and then agreed -
• to manage the total budget allocated to the Notts and Derbyshire
PA2 areas
• to bring forward and endorse projects for ERDF funding, within the
priorities of the local investment plan
13. The LAA Boards have been asked to select from two options for a
coalfields PA2 management group, as follows:
• Continuation of the existing coalfields PA2 officer group in an
advisory capacity, but also and with the consent of the LAA Board a
decision-making capacity
• Co-option of up to 4 members from each of the Nottinghamshire
and Derbyshire LAAs 4th Block onto a joint management group with
delegated authority to collectively approve the local investment
plan, agree the priorities for commissioning calls and endorse
projects (supported by the coalfields PA2 officer group).
14. Pressing timescales to agree a local investment plan and make the first
commissioning call mean that decisions have to be taken
simultaneously by Counties, Districts and LAA Boards and as quickly
as possible. This report is for the delegated authority to agree the local
plan for the management of the ERDF funds for the District. Emda
have advised us that we must agree the local Plan (Chesterfield,
Bolsover, Mansfield, Ashfield, Bassetlaw, and the two County Councils)
before it is submitted. The deadline for submitting our Local
Investment Plan and executive summary to the ERDF Programme
Secretariat (EPS) is
Wednesday 14th May 2008. Emda will table the
District’s ERDF Local Investment Plans at the 12 th June PMC for
endorsement. Delaying this authority will ultimately result in Bolsover
missing the deadline for the funding for Bolsover.
The Local Investment Plan
15. Local investment plans for ERDF will specify priorities for action and
the types of project which may be funded. The final plans will be
formally ratified by the East Midlands ERDF top-level decision-making
body, the Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC), which includes
representatives of key sectors including local government. EMDA has
proposed that this is done at the 12 June meeting of the PMC.
76
16. Implementation of the local investment plan will include identifying
appropriate methods of bringing forward activity for support (e.g. open
call, commissioning of specific projects), and then selecting
applications to put forward to EMDA for appraisal and formal approval.
It is proposed by EMDA that commissioning and project endorsement
be managed at a local level to ensure subsidiarity and alignment with
local priorities and needs.
17. Any local management arrangements will not include entering into
contractual arrangements or retaining legal liability for funding
awarded. Contracting will be between EMDA and individual applicant.
18. Local investment plans must contain:
• Explanation of local ERDF priorities/objectives and how these will
support the East Midlands ERDF Operational Programme
• Relation of the local priorities to existing regional and sub-regional
strategies including Local Area Agreements, Sub-Regional
Investment Plans and the Regional Economic Strategy
• Process for selection of projects and delivery mechanisms for
bringing projects forward
• Governance, partnership and management arrangements
19. In view of the timescales involved and the on-going intelligence and
input being gathered to inform the plan, it is recommended that
delegated powers are given to the Head of Regeneration, in
consultation with the Director of Strategy and the Deputy Leader, to
approve the coalfields ERDF local investment plan on behalf of
Bolsover District Council before submission to the PMC.
20. The same process is envisaged within the other County and District
Councils to ensure that the local investment plan has the full support of
all the local authorities in the area. District LSPs may also be asked for
comments as part of the process.
21. This funding stream directly complements the Working
Neighbourhoods fund, and means the authority has an excellent
opportunity to combine funding resources to achieve some significant
outcomes.
IMPLICATIONS
Financial :
None
Legal :
None
Human Resources :
None
77
RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Executive
1. Agree that the decision in an urgent one and should not, therefore, be
subject to call-in, as provided for in Scrutiny Rule 16
2. Note recent developments on the delivery of the ERDF programme in
relation to the Bolsover District and the pressing timetable for
implementation
3. Note the proposed governance arrangements being put forward to the
LAA Boards for approval and delegation, where appropriate
4. Approve delegated powers to the Head of Regeneration, in consultation
with the Leader, Deputy Leader Regeneration Portfolio Holder), Chief
Executive Officer and Director of Strategy, to give Bolsover’s approval to
the local investment plan for the coalfields PA2 districts for the period
2007-10.
REASON FOR DECISION TO BE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CONSTITUTION
To ensure the full allocation of ERDF PA2 funding for the Bolsover
District is received and spent, thereby avoiding potential underspend.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
FILE REFERENCE:
None
SOURCE DOCUMENT:
East Midlands European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF) Operational
Programme Investment Plan
78
Annex 1 - Template for ERDF Local Investment Plan
The table below is required to be completed as the Executive Summary for District(s)
ERDF Local Investment Plans and submitted to the Programme Secretariat at
emda.
Executive Summary form for Local ERDF Investment Plan
Governance Details
Name of Lead Body/Partnership
Members of Lead Body/Partnership
What groups and local agencies are involved
(inc. the SSP)?
Contact Details
Address
Email
Representing which District(s)
Telephone Number
A single district or a group?
Fax
Priorities for Investment and alignment with the Operational Programme
How will Districts seek to prioritise activities (will this be through geographical targeting or target
groups?) Please refer to the Strands in the Indicative Actions Table on page 5 of this guidance note or
the Operational Programme.
Intended Outcomes
What is the overall aim of this plan? What are you trying to achieve with this funding?
Process(es) for route(s) to market
What are the process(es) for projects being recommended by the Lead Body/Partnership? (including
assessment criteria and route to market) What routes to market do partners intend to utilise? Please
give a justification of your choice (unless you are opting for open bidding).
Consultation arrangements
What is the process for projects being recommended by the Lead Body/Partnership? Who is
consulted and why? What is the process for project selection?
Total Funding for Lead Body/Partnership
Intervention Rate
ERDF Requested
Public Sector (£)
Private Sector
Total Cost (£)
(%)
(£)
(£)
Proposed Outputs/Results/Impact.
No of businesses assisted to improve performance
Public / private sector investment leveraged
Sq metres of new or upgraded floor space
No. of people assisted to start a new business
Brownfield land reclaimed or redeveloped (ha)
79
No. of jobs created
No. of businesses improving performance
GVA (Gross Value Added) resulting from
businesses improving performance
No. of new businesses created and new businesses
attracted to the region.
Increase in GVA (Gross Value Added)
Increase in employment
Increase in businesses
Alignment with Local, Sub-regional and Regional strategies
How do plans for ERDF PA2 Funding align and with local, sub-regional strategy and regional
strategies (inc BSSP, LAA’s, MAA’s (where relevant) SRIPs and RES?
Partnership working
If working in a partnership of two or more target Districts, please provide details on how this
arrangement will operate and be governed.
Indicative and Potential Projects
Please provide a general list of indicative and potential projects below. The PS will require further
details subsequently.
ERDF Expenditure by Year (£)
2008
2009
2010
2011*
Total
* Allocated funding up to 2010, spend can occur in 2011
80
Committee:
Executive
Agenda
11
Item No.:
Date:
12th May 2008
Status
Open
Category
3. Part of the Budget and Policy Framework
Subject:
ICT Budget Bids
Report by:
Chief Executive Officer
Other Officers
ICT Strategy Group
Involved
Director
Chief Executive Officer
Relevant
Leader of the Council
Portfolio Holder
RELEVANT CORPORATE AIMS
STRATEGIC ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT – to continually improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of all Council Services by maximising the potential use
of Council resources.
TARGETS
None.
VALUE FOR MONEY
The Budget Process challenges existing spending levels and new spending
proposals to ensure that resources are effectively used and directed towards the
delivery of the Corporate Aims.
THE REPORT
This report summarises the recommendations arising from the ICT Strategy
Group following a review of business cases submitted in support of budget bid
applications.
ISSUES/OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
At the meeting on 20th November 2006, the Executive agreed that bids
relating to ICT expenditure be referred to the ICT Strategy Group for full
consideration prior to seeking funding approval from the Executive. The
1
following bids were considered and are recommended to Executive for
approval.
Description
Funding
Alternative options
Benefits
request
Improve the
£79,375
Continue with the
Efficiencies over a
management of ICT
one-off
existing Server
three year period of
Servers by the
£5,619
hardware
£47,572.
introduction of
recurring
replacement
Reduced carbon
virtual as opposed
programme.
footprint.
to physical servers.
In line with other
Derbyshire
Authorities.
Install a network
£5,040
Continue with the
Improved
link between
one-off
internet link
infrastructure to
Bolsover and
£5,610
currently used.
enable future joint
Chesterfield
recurring
working.
Councils.
Improved access for
the current Building
Control shared
service.
Upgrade the CRM
£13,500
Upgrade the system
BPR will provide
system. Perform
one-off
without BPR.
efficiencies.
Business Process
Improved scripts for
Re-engineering
Contact Centre staff.
(BPR).
Upgrade of the
£8,392
Continue as they
Improved
Agile Telephone
one-off
are at present
management of the
system.
phones at Contact
Centres.
Reduced telephone
waiting times.
Implementation of
£12,200
Continue as they
Improved data
an Anti Social
one-off
are at present.
collection.
Behaviour (ASB)
Build intelligence.
module.
Targeted action.
Implementation of a
£47,000
Continue as they
Improvement in data
Document
one-off
are at present
workflow allowing
Management
Managers to monitor
system in Housing.
progress and
productivity.
Improved ability to
respond to FOI
requests.
Provide a
£775
None, it has been
Reduce double
replacement to the
recurring
agreed by all
keying of data.
County Council
Districts and
Seamless transfer of
system for
Counties in the East
date to County and
monitoring Land
Midlands that this
EMRA.
2
Description
Funding
Alternative options
Benefits
request
Use, funded by the
system will be
East Midland
adopted.
Regional Assembly
(EMRA).
Introduce mobile
£4,900
Continue with
Reduction in the
working into the
one-off
existing manual
number of revisits.
Asset Management
£1,560
methods.
Greater accuracy of
section of Housing.
recurring.
data.
Time saved re-
entering manual
data.
Allow for
£10,280
To continue with the
Value for money by
replacement of PCs
one-off
current PC
not replacing working
only if the PC is not
replacement
equipment.
able to be repaired..
programme which
Reduced Carbon
could have a
footprint.
financial impact of
£32,000 this year.
IMPLICATIONS
Financial:
Business Case
Capital Cost – from
Revenue Budget
Reserve
Implications
Infrastructure Virtualisation
79,375
5,619
(8.647)
(12,975)
Network link
5,040
5,610
CRM upgrade
13,500
0
Agile telephone upgrade
8,392
0
ASB module
12,200
0
Document Management
47,000
0
Land Use Database
0
775
project
Mobile solutions
4,900
1,560
PC’s replacement
10,280
0
TOTAL
180, 687
(8,058)
There are sufficient funds in the ICT and Office Equipment reserve to cover
the capital cost of £180,687. The revenue implications show a saving of
£8,058 per annum.
3
Legal:
None
Human Resources: None
RECOMMENDATION
That the ICT capital bids detailed above be approved and financed from
the ICT and Office Equipment Reserve.
REASON FOR DECISION TO BE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CONSTITUTION
In order to allocate funds from the ICT reserve.
ATTACHMENTS:
No
FILE REFERENCE:
None
SOURCE DOCUMENT:
Background papers held in ICT Services.
4
AGENDA
12th May 2008 at 1000 hours
Item No.
Page
No.(s)
PART 1 – OPEN ITEMS
1.
To receive apologies for absence, if any.
2.
To note any urgent items of business which the
Chairman has consented to being considered under
the provisions of Section 100(B) 4 (b) of the Local
Government Act 1972.
3.
To receive declarations of interest in respect of
1
business on the agenda and any urgent additional
items to be considered at the meeting.
4.
To approve the minutes of a meeting held on 7th April
2 to 9
2008
5.
Scrutiny Review - Anti Poverty Review
10 to 22
6.
Scrutiny review - Community Involvement in Scrutiny
23 to 33
7.
Scrutiny Review - Provision of Dentistry in the District
34 to 43
8.
Compliments, Comments, Complaints and Freedom of
44 to 72
Information Requests
9.
Verbal Update on Housing Arrears
10.
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2007 –
73 to 80
13 Approval of Priority Axis 2(PA2) Coalfields Areas
Local Investment Plan
11.
IT Budget Bids
To Follow
PART 2 – EXEMPT ITEMS
The Local Government (Access to Information) Act
1985, Local Government Act 1972, Part 1, Schedule
12a
Paragraph 3
12.
15 Rotherham Road, New Houghton
81 to 83
84
