Agenda item

Councillor Rosie Kirk, Portfolio Holder for Reducing Inequality:

 

a)    Presented a report which highlighted the following:

 

·         Key achievements for ‘Let’s Reduce Inequality’

·         Anti-Poverty Strategy

·         Corporate Social Responsibility

·         Social Value Policy

·         Community Cohesion Strategy

·         Community Strategies and Policies

·         Modern Day Slavery

·         Asylum Seekers and Refugees

·         Lincoln Community Lottery

·         Universal Credit

·         Welfare and Benefits Advice

·         Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support

·         Discretionary Rate Relief Policy

·         Welfare Reform

·         Crime and Disorder

·         Equality and Diversity

·         Financial Inclusion

·         Skills and Training (including Adult Learning and The Network)

·         Young People

·         Prevent

·         Public Protection

·         Domestic Violence

·         Programmes in place in Lincoln to tackle rough sleeping, addiction and ASB

·         Lincoln Intervention Team

 

b)    Invited members comments and questions

 

Question: Members asked what would happen if we didn’t get the Controlling Migration Fund Bid and how the City of Lincoln Council would afford to continue without it?

 

Response: There were various projects that were currently taking place such as: family support workers in schools, Step Programme which was linked to development plus, working alongside the volunteer centre and the Rogue Landlords project. There was a project with Lincoln College which helped people on low incomes get back into work.

 

Question: Members asked if the work in schools linked with language skills or personal development.

 

Response: Mainly language skills due to high migration in that area.

 

Question: Members asked what happened when the Neighbourhood Management Team leaves an area?

 

Response: Voluntary Services and Development Plus had set up boards within areas and would continue developing the boards to make sure there is a support system in these areas. The boards had issues with secretarial support and so there had been discussions regarding using the money they have towards secretarial support to help solve the issue. Relationships with partners were key for this to work.

 

Question: Members asked how many people would be earning the new living wage and claiming benefit?

 

Response: This data was not available as it was dependant on how many hours they worked. Community Leadership had some information through foodbanks stating there was an increase in people using foodbanks which included working families.

 

Question: Members asked how many slaves had been identified in Lincoln?

 

Response: The City of Lincoln Council continued to be vigilant but this would be a Police matter. There would be support in place for individuals who were taken out of slavery.

 

Question: Members asked if boards would keep the £1,000 received and how long they would continue to receive this for?

 

Response: The funding was up to the Council regarding timescales.

 

Questions: Members asked if the ASB team could look at issues regarding homelessness around City Hall to stop staff feeling scared when exiting the building?

 

Response: The security arrangements had been extended previously so that the security guards could carry out a patrol in the morning and early evening. Whilst these patrols took place the issue improved. If this issue had returned then this would need to be reported so that arrangements can be made to resolve this.

 

Question: Members asked how often the Prevent Training was carried out?

 

Response: Prevent Training was carried out by every new staff member and was renewed every three years. The level that staff would need to be trained at with regards to Prevent was being looked into. Training records were monitored so staff who haven’t had it or needed refresher training would be identified.

 

Question: Members asked whether the Council would be helping the elderly who were vulnerable at home?

 

Response: The Council worked with age UK and monitored what was happening with the elderly in the city.

 

Question: Members asked why organisations had pulled out of the Lincoln Living Wage?

 

Response: The Social Responsibility charter was being taken up by businesses. Organisations that were signed up to the Living Wage last year had been contacted but only 17 responded. Some businesses preferred the Social Responsibility Charter.

 

Question: Members asked whether the new Travel Lodge was a Living Wage employer.

 

Response: The Travel Lodge was a national company so it would be a national decision whether they paid the Living Wage or not. The recruitment process was successful in securing nine members of staff from within the Lincoln area.

 

Question: Members asked what process businesses would need to follow to become part of the Social Responsibility Charter.

 

Response: The Charter can be found on our website and had all of the details in there.

 

Question: Members asked if there had been any contact regarding lottery funding in the Sincil Bank area?

 

Response: They would be visiting tomorrow to visit the area.

 

Question: Members asked for clarity on how many apprenticeships the City of Lincoln Council took on in relationship to the E&D breakdowns of age and disability.

 

Response: In 2016/17 the City of Lincoln Council took on 24 apprentices with 8 having a disability and 1 aged over 24; and in 2017/18 26 apprentices with 6 having a disability and 1 aged over 24.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.