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Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Council Chamber - Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings TN34 3UY. View directions
Contact: Jenny Ling tel: 01424 451844 email: jling@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Cllr John Hodges
Minutes:
Clive Galbraith led a tribute to the late Cllr John Hodges who was an active member of the Board for a number of years before his election as the member of Old Hastings ward.
Handover of Chair
Minutes:
Marie Casey thanked officers and board members for all their support during her two year tenure; the chair now passes to Cllr Chowney representing the statutory sector.
Thanks were extended to Marie for all her hard work and commitment to the board.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
Simon Hubbard gave notification of his place on the board of governors of Sussex Coast College Hastings
Minutes and Matters Arising PDF 73 KB
a) Minutes from the last LSP meeting on 25th January 2016 to approve
b) Matters arising
Minutes:
The notes of the last Board meeting held on January 25th were agreed as an accurate record.
Matters Arising: The Board noted the recent opening of the Source Park and extended their congratulations to all involved.
University of Brighton Update PDF 40 KB
10 mins
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Cllr Chowney reported that a response to the Board’s letter to the Vice Chancellor of the University has been received and circulated, no evidence has yet been provided to support the reason behind the decision nor any firm details on how current students will be supported to complete their studies. The Hastings and Bexhill Task Force have convened a working group to consider appointing consultants.
The future of higher education in the borough is now the priority issue and new partners who can facilitate its provision should be sought. Fractured relations need to be put aside to work together going forward.
The Board recommended that:
· Any loss of higher education provision will have a fundamental impact and every effort should be made for Hastings to remain a university town
· The disappointing decision making process and outcome should be put on record
· Reliable data and intelligence is needed to plan for the future and expert advice is needed. A formal request for the consultant’s report to be provided should be made. Action: Shabana
The BDO commissioned report has previously been requested. However Paul Frost informed the Board that the review report was provided by BDO subject to specific terms and conditions of confidentiality and therefore cannot be disclosed. UoB have asked BDO for permission to release the report and that has been declined.
However, he confirmed the University’s commitment to work closely with partners to assist in framing discussions to plan for higher education to remain in Hastings.
Hastings Pier
10 mins presentation
10 mins discussion
Minutes:
Simon Opie, Chair of the Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust was in attendance to update the Board on the upcoming reopening of Hastings Pier. A ‘soft launch’ will begin from 26th April with the formal opening ceremony taking place on 21st May. A new website will also be operational in the next couple of days. The transition from regeneration to income generation will be the next big challenge.
The Board extended their warmest congratulations and thanks for all the hard work in reopening such an iconic part of the town’s history by Simon and the wider Pier Trust. Overwhelming support from residents has been apparent.
Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)
5 mins presentation
5 mins discussion
Minutes:
John Whittington, the new Community Safety Manager at Hastings Borough Council gave a presentation to the Board on Public Space Protection Orders and how they can be implemented.
The Board recognised the need for this legislation but expressed concerns that:
· Although the PSPOS are a useful tool and may help the tourism trade by improving the image of the town a blanket approach is not always appropriate and caution is needed when implementing this legislation
· PSPOs are not appropriate for tackling rough sleepers
· A shift in Police responsibilities to other authorities is apparent and clear guidelines are required to ensure an adequate service to the community. A lot of work to establish these protocols will be necessary
· There is a risk of a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable
Hastings Community Network View
5 mins
Minutes:
Mark Turczanski expressed concerns on behalf of the Community Network regarding the shift from engagement to enforcement by the Police service. No evidence is available to show that these schemes work and may just displace the problem to other areas of the town.
Cllr Tania Charman voiced particular concern for the Ore Valley area in this respect.
Strengthening Personal Resilience in East Sussex
10 mins
Minutes:
Martina Pickin gave an update on the recently published public health report which this year focuses on personal resilience.
East Sussex Better Together Community Resilience Engagement Work: Locality
10 mins
Minutes:
Steve Manwaring also updated the Board on how East Sussex Better Together (ESBT) is implementing community resilience engagement initiatives to improve the lives of residents.
Healthy Hastings and Rother Programme - contributing to community and personal resilience
10 mins
Minutes:
Richard Watson gave a presentation on the key themes of the Hastings and Rother CCG programme. This uses a variety of approaches to support the community, in particular the most vulnerable as well as a small grants programme funding 26 local projects to reduce health inequalities.
Discussion
Minutes:
The Board thanked the speakers for this information. They welcomed the work to embed resilience by all partners but expressed concerns regarding support for those with mental health issues, the continuing reductions in public sector resources and the community’s capacity to tackle statutory issues.
The speakers gave assurance that additional work includes:
· Significant investment and partnership working to support the community
· A mental health post is in place for weekly session at the Seaview project
· The 'homeless links' audit tool has been used to assess and monitor our situation
· Additional GP sessions in Hastings and Eastbourne are being sought
· The early discharge from hospitals protocol is being explored for East Sussex
· The work of ESBT has helped to mitigated cuts using ring-fenced grants
Mike Thompson also reported that Amicus Horizon’s tenancy agreements are also being used to incentivise people to engage with services. The benefit reform hasn't negatively affected the arrears figures.
Reports for Information
Minutes:
The Board noted the reports for information on Seawater Bathing Quality, Regeneration and Anti-Poverty.
Executive Delivery Group Notes: 14 March 2016
Minutes:
The minutes of the last EDG meeting were noted.
East Sussex Strategic Partnership Notes: 2 March 2016 PDF 120 KB
Minutes:
The minutes of the last ESSP were provided for information.
Next Meeting Date: 18 July 2016, Council Chamber, Aquila House
Any Other Business
Minutes:
Tania Charman requested an update on the Ore Valley area in the next regeneration update.
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