Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as an accurate record.

Councillor Joshua Wells wished it recorded that he was employed by Age UK

Councillor Debbie Armiger wished it recorded that she was employed by Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (LPFT)

Councillor Calum Watt, Chair of the Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee, opened the meeting with a brief introduction to guest speakers and the topics of discussion which were Suicide Rates within the City of Lincoln and an update on the Cost-of-Living Crisis.

The Committee received a presentation from Rachel Wright, (CEO, Shine Lincolnshire) and Kerry Stocks, (Operations Manager, Shine Lincolnshire). During consideration of the presentation, the following points were noted: -

·       Shine Lincolnshire was established in 2011 through funding from the Managed Care Network, Mental Health Promotion Fund via Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT)

·       During the years of 2011-2019, Shine’s primary work included mapping, the development of a newsletter, helping individuals to connect with local support and a Peer Link Worker (PLW) pilot scheme in Gainsborough and Louth

·       In 2020/21, Shine was given a new role within Lincolnshire’s Mental Health Transformation and worked with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and Lincolnshire’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) (ICB)

·       Shine offered independent third sector infrastructure support and was not a direct delivery service

·       Shine worked to ensure community support services for individuals with mental health illnesses were available locally and worked collaboratively with partner agencies

·       As a support network, Shine ensured information was shared through community mapping and not siloed.

·       Shine had a commitment to supporting local voluntary and community organisations grow, develop, and deliver services within their own communities

·       The 360° support offered by the charity included:

o   Assistance with interpretation of the tender and requirements

o   Support with application

o   Host employment if required

o   Implementation support

o   Training and development

·       Shine worked with LCC, LPFT and Integrated Care Board (ICB) to support mental health investment programmes through a Grant Administration

·       The Community Asset Development (CAD) funding aimed to support people to live independently in their own homes which contributed to improved health

·       CAD funding contributed to a total of 79 projects and 7479 beneficiaries

·       Suicide Prevention Innovation Funding was secured from NHS England in 2020 and was aimed at males aged 24-59

·       Year 1 commenced in April 2021 and supported 14 projects collectively. This benefitted 2319 males across the County

·       Year 2 commenced in early 2022 and supported anyone over the age of eighteen. A total of 12 projects supported approximately 1898 individuals across the County

·       Year 3 projects were due to commence on 1 March 2023 and would again, work with all adults over the age of 18. In addition, collaboration with Public Health on the development and launch of a suicide prevention campaign across the County

·       The Managed Care Network (MCN) was underpinned by the Mental Health Promotion Fund which historically had been provided by LCC and LPFT. The management of the network was awarded to Shine in 2021/22

·       The MCN supported 67 projects and 8797 beneficiaries

·       In January 2023, Shine announced a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment Fund which would be divided between a large Sustainability Fund and a smaller Innovation Fund on a 70/30% basis

·       Projects within the Innovation Fund would be for a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

The Committee received a presentation from Martin Walmsley, Assistant Director Shared Revenues & Benefits and Kate Bell, Climate Change Manager regarding the Cost-of-Living Crisis update and the support available to residents. During consideration of the presentation, the following points were noted: -

·       There was a button on our website to direct readers to the cost-of-living support available. In addition, we had been circulating a cost-of-living support leaflet

·       There had been the delivery of national and local schemes and the focus was on residents’ and business’ needs

·       There had been a promotion of regional and national guidance

·       The recent focus had been on help with food and collaborative work had taken place with Community Grocery through Towns Fund monies. It was located close to Citizens Advice (CA) and Job Centre which resulted in a positive geographical location

·       Work had been ongoing with food banks and demand had increased exponentially. It was noted that there had been no decrease in demand and January was a difficult time for those in debt

·       Officers commented that Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership was a valuable website and was updated regularly

·       Work was ongoing with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) for free school meals

·       The recognition and demand of ‘Warm Spaces’ had grown considerably

·       The Household Support Fund had seen significant funding through LCC from central Government. The demand resulted in the funds in December 2022 only lasting two days

·       Examples of support that we had delivered included:

o   Test and Trace Support payments which totalled more than £1m

o   Household Support Fund payment which totally more than £746,000

o   Covid Additional Relief Fund of £852,032

o   Expanded Retail Discount of more than £40m

o   Discretionary Housing Payments of £132,000 due to be paid out in 2022/23

o   Council Tax Energy rebates which totalled more than £6m

o   Council Tax Support Fund in Lincoln of £222,803

o   Home Energy Upgrade Scheme of £750,304

·       We were currently in the process of sending £250 through the Post Office to recipients of Housing Benefit that did not benefit from the National Cost of Living Payment scheme

·       The cost-of-living support offered to businesses included a 75% reduction for 2023/24 – up from 50% in 2022/23

The Chair gave thanks to Officers for an informative presentation and welcome comments and questions from Members of the Committee. During discussions, the following points were noted: -

Comment: Thanks were given for the statistics within the presentation. Communications was a concern and the importance of making sure word reached the public on the support available.

Response:  When the Household Support Fund (HSF) went live, it was important to individuals who approached referral partners, for example CA,  to be referred for vouchers. Social media was a fantastic tool but concerns were raised regarding an increase in demand further to social media posts. There was the potential for additional funding of £60,000 for February and March 2023. Conversations with foodbanks were ongoing and they were asked how they felt the support offering was best approached. A great number of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

Consideration was given to the Committee’s Work Programme. The Democratic Services Officer confirmed amendments to the work programme further to scoping discussions. The focus of the Committee’s work for the remainder of the municipal year would include consideration of Assets of Community Value and an update on the Cultural Consortium. It was agreed that these items of business would be brought before the Committee in March 2023.

The Chair confirmed that the Committee’s work for the remainder of the calendar year would include an update on the Poverty Truth Commission from LocalMotion. It was agreed that this item would be brought before the Committee in June 2023. The Democratic Services Officer added that confirmation of attendance had been received from Charlotte Brookes, Director, LocalMotion. The Chair requested that officers work with the communications team to arrange a press release for the meeting.

The Chair confirmed that the Committee’s work would include consideration of Low Wages in the City. The Democratic Services Officer added that attendance would be sought from Resolution Foundation, Federation of Small Businesses and Trades Union Congress further to scoping discussions. It was agreed that this item would be brought before the Committee in June 2023.

The Chair sought the views of Members with regard to proposals for a revised meeting schedule, effective from July 2023 in which the Committee would meet on a monthly basis. The Democratic Services Officer advised that discussions were ongoing with officers and consideration of all Council business would be necessary prior to agreement of proposals. Members expressed concerns regarding the necessity of scrutiny training and potential constitutional and membership changes further to the Elections in May 2023.

RESOLVED that: -

·       The meeting scheduled for 28 March 2023 be brought forward to 8 March 2023.

·       The Democratic Services Officer would escalate the proposal of monthly meetings to relevant Officers for consideration and comment prior to final determination.

Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday 8 March 2023.