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Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings. East Sussex, TN34 3UY
Contact: Chantal Lass tel: 01424 451483 email: class@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Declarations of Interest
10:05
Minutes:
None received.
Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising PDF 118 KB
(10:10)
Minutes:
Accepted as an accurate record.
The meeting welcomed those who had volunteered to be part of the Health Inequalities group and expressed gratitude to Lourdes Madigasekera-Elliott who will act as the lead officer. The work programme and meeting schedule to be confirmed. Action: Carole Dixon and Lourdes Madigasekera-Elliott
Town Centre crime update
10:20
Chief Insp Sarah Godley, Sussex Police
Minutes:
Sarah Godley, Chief Inspector Sussex Police, gave an overview of the crime rates in the Castle Ward, which significantly reduced in comparison to the same period two years ago. The night-time economy is still the key motivator for violent crime in the area. She presented current initiatives and actions implemented by the police and partners to address the issue. A copy of the presentation is to be circulated after the meeting.
The meeting discussed the need to address the perception of Hastings town centre as dangerous by effective communication, strict licensing rules and supporting the new venues that are attracting different demographics.
Health inequalities - update and discussion
11:00
Jane Hartnell, Managing Director, HBC
Minutes:
Jane Hartnell, Managing Director, Hastings Borough Council, gave an overview of Council activities. The LSP’s Health Inequalities group will as set out above be led by Lourdes and will enable partners to be in the best position to lobby for appropriate services, interventions and funding from the government and the NHS.
The immediate health inequality priority has been the work dedicated to increasing vaccination rates by encouraging people to get the vaccination and facilitating access to communities where rates are lower.
HBC team is making sure that health inequalities are reflected on every single level throughout policy, strategies, and operations including in the Town Deal programme.
Darrell Gale, Public Health East Sussex, presented an update on the Chief Medical Officer’s Report. One of the key recommendations is a national strategy to focus on the health and wellbeing needs of the coastal communities. There was agreement that the long term, whole government strategy is necessary. The report recognised that the coastal towns have more in common with one another than with the neighbouring inland towns within the county. Investment in infrastructure needs to be backed with the investment in people to attract younger generations of medical practitioners to stay and work in the coastal communities.
A new national organisation, called the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, has been set up to focus on the social agenda of health.
Draft Equality Charter - engagement and next steps PDF 100 KB
10:40
Councillor Judy Rogers, HBC
Minutes:
Councillor Judy Rogers presented the draft document. She explained that the aim is to work with partners to refresh and update the previous LSP Equalities Charter which was adopted in 2012. The refreshed charter intends to help ensure that the response and recovery from the pandemic benefits the breath of the local community.
The draft charter was discussed, and partners commented and committed to it. The draft charter will be on the council’s website until Christmas. LSP partners are encouraged to share the Charter and seek input from local groups, community organisations and residents to ensure the widest possible ownership of the final product. Based on feedback, it is hoped a revised charter will be taken back to the LSP in early 2022 for approval.
The draft charter is available at www.hastings.gov.uk/consultations. Comments and feedback should be sent to consultation@hastings.gov.uk.
The point was also made that implementation of the Charter’s objectives would be the real test of success and the LSP will need to consider this at a future meeting.
Community Renewal Fund update
11:20
Minutes:
Despite strict deadlines, many projects were submitted from across the town. The Government’s response has been delayed, however it is much anticipated due to the reducing timescales for delivery.
Recovery
11:30
Business – Sean Dennis, Director, Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce
Tourism – Kevin Boorman, Marketing and Major Projects Manager, HBC
Minutes:
BUSINESS
Sean Dennis, Director of Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce, explained that the situation in Hastings reflects the national picture. Businesses noted strong recovery since the restrictions were lifted, but there is anxiety about government support ending and possible closures in the winter. The main concerns now are growing inflation, national insurance raise and supply issues. Some businesses are struggling with recruitment as there are fewer candidates, which is holding back growth plans. New businesses and an influx of people from London support the development of the town.
TOURISM
Kevin Boorman, Marketing and Major Projects Manager, gave an update on the tourism situation. The retail businesses and attractions had a very good trading period over the summer. Car parks were full every day, with more people than usual coming to the town on weekdays. Events have proven to be popular and attracted visitors. Self-catering and AirBnB-type accommodation was very popular, but serviced accommodation (hotels, guest houses, BnBs) was not ‘sold out’ as the media might have had us believe. Some serviced accommodation struggled with staff shortages and last-minute cancellations as people went abroad instead, claiming full refunds, which led to cash flow issues. There is concern about losing a significant number of foreign tourists next year and hesitancy over large-scale marketing campaigns due to uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
Any other business
11:50
Minutes:
None.
Next Meeting Date
10:00am, Monday, 6th December 2021
Minutes:
10:00am, Monday, 6th December 2021 (via MS Teams).
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