Meeting Pack Derry City and Strabane District Council
Dear Member of the Health and Community Committee
You are hereby summoned to attend the Monthly Meeting of the Health and Community Committee to be held Remotely on Thursday 10 December 2020 at 4.00 pm.
Yours faithfully
John Kelpie Chief Executive
AGENDA
1 Notice and Summons of Meeting
2 Member Attendance and Apologies
3 Statement for Remote Meetings
4 Declarations of Members' Interests
Open for Decision
5 Deputation: To receive Mr Joe McCusker, UNISON, re: Council Motion on Healthcare Workers Pay (Pages 1 - 2)
6 Chairperson's Business
7 Matters Arising from the Open Minutes of the Health and Community Committee held on Thursday 12 November 2020 (Pages 3 - 32)
8 Sunday Trading (Pages 33 - 38)
9 Update on the Public Conveniences Working Group (Pages 39 - 42)
10 Brooke Park Bowling Green Portacabin (Pages 43 - 46)
11 Boxing Hub and Sports Hall Provision at Melvin Sports Complex (Pages 47 - 48)
12 Cycling Ireland - Regional Cycle Hubs (Pages 49 - 50)
13 Department of Justice Draft Modern Slavery Strategy for Northern Ireland 2021/2022: Draft Response to Consultation (Pages 51 - 60)
14 Northern Ireland Assembly Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill Draft Response to Consultation (Pages 61 - 68)
15 Advice Services (Pages 69 - 70)
16 Additional NI Executive Funding for Food Support (Pages 71 - 80)
17 Six Month Progress Report: Health and Community Directorate Service Plan 2020/2021 (Pages 81 - 94)
Open for Information
18 Correspondence (Pages 95 - 106)
19 Consultations (Pages 107 - 110)
Confidential for Decision
20 Matters Arising from the Confidential Minutes of the Health and Community Committee Meeting held on Thursday 12 November 2020 (Pages 111 - 112)
21 Community Support Programme - Position Paper (Pages 113 - 122)
22 Leisure Re-Investment Update (Pages 123 - 132)
4 December 2020
Agenda Item 5
Council Motion resolved at Council Meeting held on 24 September 2020
That Council gives it full support to the demand of health care workers and their trade unions for an immediate pay increase of between £2,000 and 15%. Council supports a significant pay increase for all frontline and essential workers.
Council will invite local representatives of health and social care trade unions to speak about their pay, staffing demands and the challenges they face working in the health service.
Page 1 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 7
Derry City and Strabane District Council
Open Minutes of the Meeting of the Health and Community Committee of Derry City and Strabane District Council held Remotely on Thursday 12 November 2020 at 4.00pm. ______
Present: - Councillor R Barr (Chair); Aldermen Devenney, Hussey and Warke; Councillors Burke, Duffy, Edwards, Farrell, Ferguson, Harkin, Logue, McHugh, Mooney and Reilly.
Non-members of Committee:- Aldermen Guy, Kerrigan and McClintock: Councillors Carr, Donnelly, Doyle, Durkan, Gallagher and Kelly.
In Attendance: - Director of Health and Community (Mrs K McFarland), Head of Community Development and Leisure (Mr B O’Hagan), Head of Health and Community Wellbeing (Mr S Donaghy), PA to Health and Community Director (Mrs L Shields) and Committee Services Assistant (Mrs T Johnstone). ______
HC188/20 Notice and Summons for Meeting
The Director of Health and Community read the Notice and Summons for the Meeting.
HC189/20 Members Attendance and Apologies
The Director of Health and Community recorded Members attendance. No apologies were received.
HC190/20 Statement for Remote Meetings
The Chair read the statement for remote meetings.
HC192/20 Declarations of Members’ Interests
Councillor Burke declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following agenda items: Agenda Item 9 – Covid-19 Access to Food Programme Agenda Item 10 – Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Partnership Fund Agenda Item 13 – Covid-19 Community Recovery Plans.
Page 3 Councillor Duffy declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following agenda item; Agenda Item 10 – Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Partnership Fund
Councillor Ferguson declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following agenda items; Agenda Item 13 – Covid-19 Community Recovery Plans Agenda Item 11 – Electromagnetic Fields from 5G Base Stations Agenda Item 14 – EU Exit and NI Protocol: Imported Food Checks at Points of Entry/Ports.
Alderman Devenney declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following agenda item; Agenda Item 10 – Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Partnership Fund.
Councillor Logue declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following agenda item; Agenda Item 10 – Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Partnership Fund.
Open for Decision
HC193/20 Deputation: Attendance by Dr Paul Molloy and Dr Ciaran Mullan to respond to Members’ queries on the provision of GP Services.
The Chair thanked both Doctors for giving up their valuable time to address the Committee.
Dr Molloy thanked the Committee for the invitation address Members. He outlined that he was currently a GP with Clarendon Medical Practice in the city as well as working shifts at the Covid Centre in Altnagelvin Hospital. He noted that Clarendon Medical employed 6 doctors and had 11,000 registered patients.
Dr Mullan stated that he was a GP in the Riverside Practice in Strabane Health Centre for over 20 years. He noted that the practice had a patient population of approximately 7,500 and a make-up of six doctors and multi-disciplinary team members feeding into the practice team also. He stated that similarly to Dr Molloy and most GP colleagues, he had also a commitment to work sessions at the Covid Centre. He also has a role within the Trust as Associate Medical Director. He stated that he worked collaboratively with GP colleagues in the Trust to attempt to improve and develop services which was
Page 4 paramount in this particularly challenging time and appreciated the opportunity to speak to the Committee.
Councillor McHugh thanked the GPs for attending the meeting. He stated that he firstly wished to clarify that the matter had been raised as a concern due to representations brought to him from constituents within the Derg DEA. Subsequently, he had been contacted by other residents from throughout the city and district. He stated that the matter had not been raised as any criticism of GPs or their staff and wished to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the sterling work carried out by GPs to provide a crucial service throughout the Council area.
Continuing, he noted that since the Covid restrictions were put in place, people had expressed concern that they were unable to see their GP on a face-to face basis as easily as they would have in previous circumstances. He stated that this had resulted in patients contacting a different practice or presenting themselves at the Emergency Department of their local hospital for treatment. This subsequently had the follow on effect of putting the emergency department under even more pressure. He stated that people had also expressed concern that regular clinics, such as for asthma or injections, had been postponed. However, no communication had been made outlining how long they would be postponed for or if they could obtain their medication by an alternative method. He stated that those experiencing mental health issues and requested a face-to-face meeting with a GP were finding it difficult to get an appointment. He stated that as an Elected Representative he wished to pass on those concerns to those who work in the medical profession. He asked if central government could assist in terms of allocating more resources to GPs to make it more accessible for patients to avail of crucial face- to-face appointments.
In response, Dr Molloy stated that when the pandemic had reached Northern Ireland, stories coming from other parts of Europe about hospitals and staff being overwhelmed were incomprehensible and that nobody had experienced anything like it. He stated that two health care streams were put in place at GP practices throughout the city and district; a Covid stream and non-Covid stream. He advised that if a person displayed symptoms of Covid or respiratory problems such as a cough or shortness of breath, it was presumed that if it was a new illness it could be Covid. Therefore, it would be dangerous to bring those people to the practice as they could spread the virus to staff,
Page 5 doctors and other patients. He advised that GP practices were the non- Covid stream and that there was never any intention that GPs would cease to see patients. He did understand that in the process of getting the Covid centre set up which had been difficult that perhaps the Department of Health (DoH) and the Health Board who were also so busy, information had not been relayed to the public quickly enough.
Continuing, he referred to the phone based triage service being used at GP practices. He stated that some GP practices already used a phone based triage service, therefore it was the norm. He stated that the purpose of the phone system was initially to prevent patients coming to the practice with Covid symptoms. He stated that any patient coming to see a doctor were initially contacted by telephone to ensure that they did not have Covid symptoms. Any patient who described having such symptoms would be directed to the Covid centre. He stated that social distancing guidelines had to be followed in GP surgeries, therefore there would be a reduced number of patients allowed in at any one time. He advised that the ability to offer a completely open appointment system as it was prior to Covid, was hampered by the number of patients allowed in the waiting room at any one time. However, even with spacing appointments out over a longer period of time, the services are still available. He advised that whenever the first very strict lockdown happened, because of the transmission rates and the locality, the practice service reduced to only seeing those that absolutely needed face-to-face appointments. He referred to Councillor McHugh’s comment regarding clinics and advised that the practice had ceased those clinics in the initial weeks of the lockdown as they were not deemed as absolutely essential. However, after a few weeks, the clinics had re-commenced.
Dr Molloy explained that going from an all appointment based system to a phone call based system, had meant that patients from throughout the Trust area had experienced difficulties in getting through to GP practices. He stated that as a member of the Local Medical Committee (LMC), he had contacted surgeries to remind them that patients should be seen when necessary. He emphasised that it was important to remind the public that GP practices were still open for business. However, it was not up to the LMC to police individual GP practices as they are individual businesses and independent contractors. In his opinion, the Board and agencies and the Council had been remarkably helpful to GPs in the area.
Page 6 Continuing, he referred to the telephone triage system at Clarendon Medical Practice and stated that the telephone system there had approximately 10 lines. He advised that there were 5 or 6 doctors and the members of the multi-disciplinary team phoning patients each morning, coupled with patients attempting to phone into the surgery was a problem even before the pandemic. He stated that the Board had provided funding in the form of a telephony enhanced service for the practice to purchase a new phone system. He stated that inadequate phone systems in GP practices had caused difficulty for patients attempting to get through and hoped that the funding would be used by practices for new systems. However, he advised that problems with the phone systems were apparent prior to Covid and that some practices were also understaffed and these issues had been raised pre-pandemic. He stated that there was an ongoing issue of getting GP practices fully staffed, particularly in the Tyrone and Fermanagh areas. He stated that Dr O’Hare had to amalgamate three practices in the Castlederg area as they did not have the ability to maintain them separately.
Councillor Ferguson thanked the GPs for attending the Committee meeting. She stated that the request to speak with GPs was not based on criticism whatsoever but a need for re-assurance for constituents. She stated that she had received similar information prior to the pandemic, that her own GPs surgery was under pressure due to issues such as understaffing. She stated that she had been contacted by a constituent who had been advised by their GP practice in August, when restrictions had been relaxed, that there were no face-to-face appointments available. She advised that this person who was 32 weeks pregnant, subsequently presented themselves at the emergency department of their local hospital and after a four-hour wait had left. She stated that she had received concerns from rural constituents who had connectivity problems, therefore were unable to have a telephone triage call or video call with their practice. She stated that this had resulted in them not contacting their GP if they were feeling unwell. She asked what reassurance could be extended to those constituents on the matter.
In response, Dr Mullan stated that there was an ongoing balancing act in terms of managing Covid and non-Covid demand. He said that Councillor Ferguson’s comments had highlighted the importance of relaying the message to the public that GP practices were still open for business and GPs actually preferred to see patients face-to-face. He advised that even when restrictions had eased, doctors still had to be
Page 7 on their guard at all times to ensure a safe, working environment adding that GPs had to modify how they worked in terms of making sure all processes had been followed if they were seeing a patient on a face-to-face basis. He stated that GP practices were open for business, however it was now a more complex work day. He stated that this was due to issues such as managing phone call demand, then signposting patients to the appropriate service within the practice eg, home visit or face-to-face appointment. This was alongside managing daily pressures such as correspondence from hospitals.
Continuing, he advised that hospitals were also attempting to manage a Covid and non-Covid stream. This meant that the majority of outpatient appointments were also on a virtual basis which subsequently generated an extra workload for doctors. He referred to Councillor McHugh’s comments on up-to-date communication and stated that it was challenging and difficult for GP practices. He noted that when the decision was made to cease clinics during the pandemic then re-commence them, patients were understandably frustrated that something they availed of in July or August were now not available due to the restrictions being back in place. He noted that a further 700 Covid cases have been reported in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours therefore the situation was something that has to be balanced as not only are there patients out there who want to see a GP, there were some who were too frightened to leave the house to visit their doctor or even make a phone call. He referred to the issue regarding the lack of GPs in practices and emphasised the importance to push for the Graduate Entry Medical School at Magee as there is not been enough GPs or hospital doctors in this area per head of population. He stated that whilst GPs understood why patients want to see their GP, but noted that even before the pandemic, doctors were unable to see every single patient when they wished to be seen, except on an urgent basis. He advised that in order to cope with the demand for routine appointments there were other teams in the practices to assist with this including practice based physiotherapists, mental health practitioners and social workers. He stated that their work was invaluable in helping patients based on their particular need as they provided an excellent level of expertise and a phenomenal knowledge of all the services available to patients in the community and voluntary sector.
He stated that a positive element of the telephone triage service was the ability to direct patients appropriately and to ensure they were provided the proper care whilst also carrying out face-to-face appointments in a safe environment for both patients and staff.
Page 8
Dr Molloy referred to the telephone triage system in GP practices and stated that some patients who found it difficult to access a suitable appointment time preferred to be contacted by telephone. He stated that the use of video calls was more suited to a very targeted group of patients and was available on request. He advised that if a patient was unable to send a photo or video, that usually generated the need for a face-to-face appointment. He stated that a telephone consultation did not replace the personal service provided by a face-to-face consultation. He further stated that going forward, a hybrid model was being considered in GP practices as the phone model suited some but not all, particularly the elderly.
Continuing, Dr Molloy advised that any patient who contacted a surgery and did not wish to give details of their specific health issue to a receptionist, they could ask to speak to a doctor directly. He felt that it was reasonable that a patient should not have to tell the receptionist what was wrong with them if they did not wish to, although it did assist in triaging patients to the appropriate service. He referred to the LMC conference that recently took place and noted that GPs had reported that the old style face-to-face consultation and all the various benefits that go with it should continue. He advised that any person at home who had found something such as a breast lump or losing weight, should not be sitting at home waiting for Covid to be over, they must visit their doctor to avail of the treatment they may need. He stated that all social distancing guidelines were in place at doctor’s surgeries to ensure a very safe environment. He hoped that this would provide reassurance to those people petrified to leave their homes as they were afraid that they may catch the virus.
He referred to the Emergency Departments (ED) at local hospitals and advised that he and Dr Mullan were involved in a project called ‘No More Silos’, to attempt to streamline visitors to the ED. He advised that information on the project will be published in the coming weeks. He stated that the project focused on rather than a person presenting themselves at the emergency department in a hospital, there will be a telephone triage service to ensure that patients could only attend ED if it was necessary to do so. He advised that ambulatory pathways would be introduced, whereby instead of having to visit an emergency department, patients would actually go to an ambulatory care ward to be assessed by the appropriate physician/clinician. However, in the longer term more hospital beds were needed because even by trying to reduce who presented at ED, more elderly and vulnerable people would
Page 9 require hospital care. He stated that the situation had worsened with the pandemic adding that the Trust had been remarkably helpful and supportive, even with the pressures it was experiencing with Covid-19. He advised that he recently covered a particularly busy shift at the Covid Centre and was worried that the numbers were not decreasing as hoped. He stated that his colleagues working in ICU at Altnagelvin were under extreme physical and emotional exhaustion as between 5 and 10 of those visiting the Covid Centre would end up in the hospital, with half of those then transferred to ICU 2 or 3 weeks later. He advised that with ICU already at capacity and the average occupancy in ICU for a covid person was three to four weeks, he was concerned that difficult decisions would have to be made.
Councillor Gallagher welcomed Drs Molloy and Mullan to the meeting. He stated that it was important to note that this was not about being critical of the jobs carried out by GPs during an extremely difficult time. However, Elected Representatives have been regularly contacted by constituents regarding issues within the health system. He stated that the public viewed GP practices as part of the NHS and not as private practices. Therefore, they had a perception that when someone had received treatment for whatever given reason and they did not, they did not understand the internal processes involved. He felt that the perception by the public was that there were different levels of engagement, access and treatment at GP surgeries. He advised that a constituent felt that their medical care had been withdrawn due to being refused access to their doctor’s surgery because they were a frontline worker in a care facility. He felt that reports such as these had a negative impact on people throughout the city and district and had indeed, caused panic with some constituents. He suggested that a generic protocol be put in place regarding appointments and access to surgeries agreed among the practices.
In response, Dr Mullan stated that it would be physically impossible to have one protocol put in place that would be suitable for every practice. He advised that each practice had premises of different sizes with some only having one or two GPs. Therefore, each practice needed to come up with an individual system that helped manage the flow of demand from their patients. He stated that communication between GP practices and patients was important, however some practices had experienced difficulties in that regard. He noted that one of the clear benefits of the telephone triage system was the ability to direct a patient to the correct person for their appropriate needs. However, practices were experiencing difficulties in balancing the Covid with
Page 10 non-Covid demand, such as the blood work and sample taking for patients who were currently unwell and also managing the testing for patients with chronic diseases and long term conditions. He advised that those particular patients would have been familiar with the system prior to Covid. However, when they rang the surgery they were advised of the operational changes within the practice during the pandemic. He stated that it was the responsibility of an individual practice to ensure that patients were kept up to date with the relevant information. He further advised that patients with an issue or who felt let down should raise it with their practice. He concurred that patients did have a perception that they could not get an appointment with a GP, however once they telephoned the surgery they realised that was not the case. He stated that direct interaction with each practice must continue as there would be subtle differences between practices and assured Members that no practice would be obstructive to that. He stated that GPs were attempting to manage that demand whilst ensuring that it was managed in a safe way for both the patient and the practice.
Councillor Reilly thanked the doctors for giving up their time and for sharing their expertise and experiences with Members. He asked how Council could assist with the work being carried out at GP practices from a corporate perspective. He referred to comments by Dr Molloy on the necessity of communication, and asked how Council could assist in broadcasting the wider communication across the Council area regarding the impact on the changes of services. He stated that there were issues regarding the new ways of working in GP practices due to the pandemic, therefore it was important to ensure that patients were not left behind in terms of connectivity. He stated that there were still many areas throughout the city and district where people did not have those types of technology and connectivity. He extended his thanks to both doctors and to all doctors throughout the Derry and Strabane area and stated that although the changes have been stark for some people regarding access to GP services, everyone understood that frontline staff were doing their utmost with the unprecedented pandemic.
Dr Molloy stated that it was important to get a consistent message across. He referred to Councillor Gallagher’s statement regarding what people perceived whenever they see a service that was across the entire NHS. He stated sometimes GPs just encountered their own difficulties which may result in a poor service or what could potentially be seen as a poor service. He stated that if all GPs worked for the NHS
Page 11 and were employed by the Trust then it would be possible to have more control over the system. He hoped that individuals within each practice would be open for all services as they were still seeing non- Covid patients therefore, they should contact their practice if they were feeling unwell. GPs have had to make slight changes to their systems to establish if patients had Covid-19 symptoms and also limit the number of people than can be admitted to a waiting room due to social distancing guidelines.
Continuing, he suggested that Council could help by working with the Trust in terms of communications regarding the ‘No More Silos’ project. He stated that this would assist in informing people that before considering going to ED, there was a new method of telephone triage system to establish a patient’s needs.
Dr Mullan stated that Council support where there were likely to be changes would be helpful and that GPs would certainly engage with the Council on this. He stated that he hoped that Members would now be able to give some reassurance to their constituents, that although there may be different processes in place, that practices were still operational. He stated that when some patients presented themselves for treatment, other underlying concerns may become evident such as poverty, abuse or previous trauma. He felt that it was currently a very stressful time for people, particularly workers in the health and care sector and thanked Members for their appreciation. He stated that he also understood that it was a huge stress for people to get on with their daily lives. Therefore, helping people to live well during Covid was an important factor. He noted that whilst there were robust services within the community to support people to help them live well, the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on their health and wellbeing, particularly those in isolation. He stated that the Council and community services were crucial in providing the appropriate support and giving an overview on the situation. He expressed his thanks to Council for their assistance during this current, difficult climate. He stated that no matter what happened politically the message still needed to be that we must be on our guard, whether or not there were any relaxation of restrictions. He stressed that, until there were some definite outcomes regarding vaccines and safety, we are still in hugely uncertain times. He referred to the public health message around the simple things, distance, face and hand washing and stressed the importance of consistency with that message until it was confirmed that the country was Covid clear. However, in his opinion, he did not think this would be anytime soon.
Page 12
Alderman Hussey also thanked the doctors for attending the meeting. He stated that like others, he had expressed concern that people were not seeking medical attention because of Covid. He stated that those people needed reassurance that they can access medical treatment. He referred to Dr Molloy’s reference to Dr O’Hare, a well-respected GP in Castlederg. He stated that Dr O’Hare’s had commented after the recent passing of his father, ‘that Covid was something that we must learn to live with and get on with it.’ He asked the GPs if they had any comment on that statement as it had struck a key note with a lot of people.
In response, Dr Molloy stated that he was unaware of the comments by Dr O’Hare. He said that some people flitted between the notion of ‘we need to get on with it’ and ‘we need to be careful’. He stated that countries that had tried the let’s just go for it approach, such as Sweden, initially saw some success rates. However, the infection rates then increased dramatically, similar to this area. He noted that whilst Sweden’s economy had not suffered, the death rate was high. Therefore, Alderman Hussey’s question was almost impossible to answer.
He felt that the first wave of the virus had minimum impact on people here, therefore it was difficult to comprehend the impact of the second wave. He felt that when the first wave had ended, people collectively were somewhat irresponsible over the summer and had forgot about the techniques that were important to keep the rate of infection down. He felt that, in his opinion, this resulted in the high infection rate in Derry and Donegal due to cross-border traffic etc. He stated that he was well aware of the economic impact throughout the city and district due to the closure of businesses. However, a lot of people now had someone known to them that has died with the virus and felt that it was easier to flip from the economic argument to, what is one life worth. He stated that he has taken part in some preliminary discussions recently regarding the vaccine. He advised that even the delivery of the vaccine, if and when it becomes available, may prove difficult due to storage issues. He outlined that patients would require 2 injections, 2 weeks apart with monitoring for some time afterwards. He stated that this required double the area needed when practices administered the flu vaccination.
Alderman Devenney welcomed the doctors to the meeting to provide Members with a comprehensive update on an extremely difficult
Page 13 situation. He stated that they acknowledged the issues in the Strabane area regarding the lack of GPs even prior to the pandemic.
He referred to Dr Molloy’s comments and welcomed the clarification provided that if a patient did not wish to give details of their health issue to a receptionist, they could ask to speak to a doctor directly. He stated that some patients felt embarrassed to discuss personal issues with a receptionist. He concurred with previous speakers that there was a public perception that doctor’s surgeries were not taking appointments and believed that the message must be strengthened that doctors were available if needed. He stated that the Graduate Entry Medical School at Magee would alleviate some of the issues regarding GP recruitment however, it would be some time before this would be implemented. He referred to the winter flu vaccination programme and asked if the second batch of the vaccine had arrived at GP practices. He asked if there had been an increase of people wishing to have the vaccine and was it being offered to people who were housebound.
In response, Dr Molloy stated that there were difficulties regarding the flu vaccine for the over 65s and that the PHA had advised of unprecedented demand this year. He stated that this information had indicated a degree of success but also highlighted that people were worried that they would contract the flu as well as Covid-19. He reported that he recently received information from the PHA via the BMA that hopefully more of the vaccine should be available in the next week. He advised that, as in the previous year, if there were insufficient supplies of the vaccine for the over 65s, it may be possible to give them the vaccine for the under 65s. He stated that the majority of flu clinics took place in early October, therefore when a shortage of the vaccine had become apparent, most flu clinics had already taken place. He stated that most practices had not reported any issues on the matter. He advised that anyone who did not receive the vaccine at the flu clinic would be contacted to attend a ‘catch-up’ clinic. He stated that in December/January there would still be supplies of the flu vaccine available for anyone who wished to avail of it. He stated that in terms of patients at home, these would be treated by district nursing service and nursing home patients by the staff at that nursing home.
Dr Mullan stated that plans were in place in August regarding the programme for the flu vaccinations across the wider community with some practices amalgamating to offer the vaccination in schools. He stated that this initiative proved highly successful. He stated that every
Page 14 practice had to come up with a way to issue the flu vaccinations in as safe and effective a way as possible. He referred to Alderman Devenney’s comment regarding reception staff and advised that receptionist staff asked for details in order to help navigate them to an appropriate team member. However, if a patient felt uncomfortable or embarrassed, it was acceptable that they could speak directly to their GP. He stated that the information supplied by the receptionist was helpful and they were invaluable to the workforce by managing the flow of patients and the demand.
The Chair thanked Dr Molloy and Dr Mullan for taking the time to address the Health and Community Committee. He stated that their answers to Members queries and concerns were frank and comprehensive. He stated that the Committee Members and indeed, the vast majority of the public, were very aware of the unprecedented challenges and demands currently placed upon GPs. He hoped that burden would decrease in the very near future.
Chairperson’s Business
HC192/20 Condolences
The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, extended condolences to Alderman Maurice Devenney on the recent passing of his mother.
HC193/20 Mobile Phone Connectivity
Councillor Edwards thanked the Chair for permitting him to raise an issue regarding the lack of mobile phone connectivity in the wider Strabane area, particularly the Castletown and Urney Road areas. He stated that he has received numerous complaints from residents over a number of months on the matter and that 02 and Vodafone network providers were the most problematic.
Councillor Edwards Proposed, Seconded by Councillor Mooney
That Council writes to 02 and Vodafone regarding issues of mobile phone connectivity in the wider Strabane area, specifically Castletown and Urney Road.
Members agreed unanimously on the proposal.
The Committee
Recommended that Members approve to write to 02 and Vodafone regarding issues of mobile
Page 15 phone connectivity in the wider Strabane area, specifically Castletown and Urney Road.
HC194/90 Employees within the Hospitality Sector
Councillor Harkin referred to recent events at Stormont which would have an effect on people throughout the city and district. He stated that Executive Parties have had to make a number of decisions over the past week regarding the restrictions on the hospitality sector. He stated that the DUP were now using the cross-community vote to veto any proposals regarding the easing of restrictions. This has resulted in the health and financial wellbeing of our people being put at stake. He stated that the DUP were undermining their authority by not making decisions on the matter and that Council needed to be clear in their opposition to this. He felt that workers within the hospitality sector were being used as a political football by politicians and the management of larger hospitality venues. He stated that suddenly, the government had expressed concern about the livelihoods of staff within that sector. However, there was no concern expressed in previous years from Stormont or the larger hospitality sector regarding workers such as zero hour contracts, young workers being paid below the minimum wage, and a raft of workplace issues for those employed across the sector.
He proposed that the Committee writes to the Executive to state that Council stands in solidarity with the UNITE hospitality branch and that workers in the sector should not be used as a political football to score points.
He stated that it was important to ensure that the health and wellbeing of workers within the hospitality sector was put first. The UNITE branch wish for the re-opening of the hospitality sector in an orderly and phased manner. He stated that a recovery plan was also needed for the workers as there was nothing currently in place to protect them when they were required to return to work.
Councillor Harkin Proposed, Seconded by Councillor Reilly
That Council will write to the Executive standing in solidarity with the UNITE Hospitality Branch and hospitality workers. Hospitality workers should not be used as a political football by the Stormont Executive and by big hospitality bosses.
Alderman Devenney stated that he supported Councillor Harkin’s proposal. However, he stated that the DUP had debated the matter
Page 16 over the past number of days and it was trying to achieve a fine balance between health and the re-opening of businesses in a balanced way. He stated that Councillor Harkin needed to be careful in his tone of language as his party were attempting to accommodate businesses re- opening in a safe manner.
Councillor Duffy stated that Alderman Devenney was attempting to re- write the recent events at Stormont. She stated that the DUP wanted businesses re-opened and used a cross-community veto to block a paper issued by the Minister for Health and advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer on the health implications of taking such action. She stated that Sinn Fein had opposed the recommendation for businesses to re-open and that the SDLP had abstained which she described as disgraceful and that the DUP needed to take responsibility for putting something on the table which had to potential to cause excess deaths. She also felt that the SDLP should have come off the fence on the matter.
The Committee
Recommended That Council will write to the Executive standing in solidarity with the UNITE Hospitality Branch and hospitality workers. Hospitality workers should not be used as a political football by the Stormont Executive and by big hospitality bosses.
HC195/20 Matters Arising from the Open Minutes of the Health and Community Committee held on Thursday 15 October 2020.
The Open Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 October 2020 (HC166/20 –HC184/20) were confirmed and signed by the Chairperson.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
HC196/20 Inappropriate use of Fireworks (HC171/20)
Alderman Hussey welcomed the comments made at the previous committee meeting. However, he noted that some of the concerns raised had been put forward by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He asked if there was a possibility that Officers could consider those suggestions put forward by the RSPCA and indicate if any of those suggestions could be implemented by Council.
Page 17 HC197/20 Pier at Newtownstewart (HC174/20)
Alderman Hussey requested an update on proposed repairs at the pier at a future Committee meeting. He stated that the former Chair of the Committee would be eager that the work was undertaken, particularly as a matter of health and safety at that facility.
Councillor Edwards echoed the comments on the matter by Alderman Hussey.
HC198/20 Land at Springhill, Strabane (HC180/20)
Alderman Hussey asked if Council had considered the possibly of a lease with an option to purchase contained within the agreement.
Councillor Edwards advised that it was his understanding that Council officers had approached the Springhill Community Association, stating that an agreement had been made to lease the land. However, it had been agreed at the full Council meeting on 29 October that Council would purchase the land and asked for clarity on the matter.
HC199/20 Playing Pitch Facilities (HC183/20)
Alderman Hussey concurred with the comments made by Councillor McHugh at the previous meeting on the matter. He expressed concern that no action had been taken and that there were a lot of recommendations within the strategy which he hoped would be followed through by Council. He referred to the shortage of provision in the Strabane rural area and that it was important that sports clubs had the proper facilities in order to keep people active. He stated that it was his understanding that flood drainage work had been carried out at Mitchell Park and asked if both pitches had re-opened for competitive football to take place. He also asked that in regard to Spamount, he understood that the changing room situation would be addressed and hoped this would be undertaken fairly quickly. He further queried if there were changing facilities at Vaughan’s Holm, Newtownstewart in Council ownership.
Continuing, he expressed concern regarding the lack of 3G and 4G provision and floodlighting to enable clubs in the area to take part in night time training for players and members. He asked if this could be considered within the overall strategy.
Page 18 In response, the Head of Community Development and Leisure suggested that he would ascertain the details on Alderman Hussey’s queries from the relevant officers and provide an appropriate response.
HC200/20 Everybody Active 2020 Programme Year 4 2019/2020
The Head of Community Development and Leisure presented the above report, details of which had been previously circulated to Members. The purpose of the report was to inform Members of the performance and outcomes of year 4 of the Everybody Active 2020 programme.
Councillor Mooney stated that it was evident from the report that a tremendous amount of work had been carried out in respect of the programme. He stated that a lot of results had been found by a lot of participants and that of the 12,345 people that had taken part in the programme, 1,325 had disabilities and 6,791 participants came from areas of high social need. He referred to the uncertainty of funding from Sport NI to continue the programme and proposed that the Committee write to Sport NI, or the relevant department, to ascertain if funding would become available to continue the programme. He stated that it was a worthwhile programme which had resulted in a lot of lifestyle changes for those who had taken part from throughout the city and district.
Councillor Mooney Proposed, Seconded by Alderman Devenney
That Members write to Sport NI or the relevant department, to ascertain if funding would become available to continue the Every Body Active Programme.
Councillor Logue thanked officers for the report and stated that it had been a very quick four years since the implementation of what she described as a very successful programme. She noted that the majority of targets had been reached with some actually being exceeded which was certainly to be welcomed. She stated that a review was carried out on all programmes to ascertain the success rate and that Council can be in no doubt that this programme was a great success. She stated that this and similar projects should continue to be funded for a further term and supported the proposal from Councillor Mooney.
The Committee
Page 19 Recommended that (i) Members endorse the outcomes from the programme; and (ii) Council write to Sport NI or the relevant department, to ascertain if funding would become available to continue the Every Body Active Programme.
HC201/20 Covid-19 Access to Food Programme
The Head of Community Development and Leisure presented the above report, details of which had been previously circulated to Members. The purpose of the report was to seek Members’ approval for the allocation of funding provided by the Department for Communities (DfC), Voluntary and Communities Division (VCD) in response to the Covid-19 crisis under the Access to Food Programme.
Alderman Devenney welcomed the report. He stated that the Head of Community Development and Leisure had outlined the issues and the fact that it was the responsibility of the Local Growth Partnerships to allocate the funding and endorsed the recommendation within the report.
Councillor Ferguson welcomed the report and the funding of £82,000. She expressed her apprehension regarding Faughan and Waterside being categorised as one area and she had raised it previously with officers who advised that the urban areas had one worker each and that a facilitator was appointed 20 hours to cover both the Waterside and Faughan areas. She stated she understood that it was a finite budget that had to cover a wide area, particularly the Sperrin and the Derg DEAs where there was no previous provision provided. She further stated that many people from rural communities were too proud or were not aware to ask for help, therefore it was important to branch out and communicate to those areas. She felt that the Department for Communities (DfC) should be asked to consider having an individual worker for the Faughan DEA and more rural areas to tackle rural isolation and food poverty as many people from those areas were reluctant to come forward.
Councillor Burke thanked the officers for the report. She stated that Sinn Féin was happy to endorse the proposal to allocate the funding for the Access to Food Programme. She stated that it was vital for those experiencing hardship across the entire city and district and welcomed that people would be receiving assistance. In relation to the
Page 20 wrap around approach being taken, this was welcomed as it was key to providing the meaningful change and help for constituents within the communities. She stated that she was aware that Members of the Committee had recently received an email from the Outer West Family Support Hub regarding the allocation of the facilitators of the budget for the Foyleside DEA Access to Food Programme. She stated that it was her understanding that this group delivered the previous food programme and expressed concern that the Foyleside LGP had not had the opportunity to have a dedicated discussion regarding the programme, including the facilitator’s budget issue. She stated that she was confident that Council officers would clarify the matter and it was her understanding that the group involved had raised the concerns with LGP but had yet to receive a response. She asked if officers could ensure that concerns can be addressed given the factors outlined.
In response, the Head of Community Development and Leisure stated that he was aware of the communication from the Outer West Family Support Hub. He referred to the report which outlined that the allocation was to each of the Local Growth Partnerships and advised that officers would will go back to each of those partnerships to seek clarification on the delivery plans of those partnerships. He advised that Council officers did not have a role to instruct anyone within those Local Growth Partnerships. However, if Members agreed, they would liaise with the Foyleside Local Growth Partnership and ask that the matter be discussed.
Councillor Burke thanked the Head of Community Development and Leisure for the response. However, she stated that whilst she appreciated the general rule that each LGP reached a consensus, she made reference to the Council’s code of practice towards the LGP regarding decision making and expressed concern that an opportunity was not given in this regard. She stated that she wished to ensure that proper process was being upheld.
The Chair stated that he wished to welcome the next speaker, Councillor Emmet Doyle as the new Aontu representative on Council.
Councillor Doyle stated that he sought clarification regarding the funding allocations outlined within the recommendations. He understood that there was a finite amount of funding available but asked if any work had been done in terms of identifying need as opposed to allocating funding across three different electoral wards.
Page 21 In response, the Head of Community Development and Leisure advised that he would provide Councillor Doyle with the exact detail of the funding model used. However, when Council previously made allocations of Grant Aid or funding of this nature, the advice services model had been used. He advised that the model ensured that funding was provided based on deprivation, population and rurality and allocating it to the eight Local Growth Partnerships.
Councillor Harkin stated that no matter how much funding was allocated by the Department for Communities (DfC) to this Council area it would be insufficient and would not address the poverty and deprivation throughout the city and district. In response to issues raised by Councillor Burke, he stated that the Executive had been recently criticised for handing out over £500,000 to windfarm companies that did not ask for it and that politicians were asked to resign, due to money in their bank accounts that they were unaware of. He stated that it been a very difficult and arduous process unfortunately in the Foyleside DEA to reach an agreement on the matter. However, an agreement had been reached and as previous comments had alluded to, it was not the responsibility of Council officers to dictate and intervene as it was the responsibility of the Local Growth Partnerships. He referred to the Community Resilience Plan implemented in March 2020. He advised that he and other Elected Representatives attended meetings to discuss criticisms and proposals on how to improve the plan based on frustrations expressed by people within the community resilience plan and those who were excluded. He welcomed that some of the recommendations made from those meetings had been taken on board. He welcomed that instead of creating a new system of food distribution, Council would access the food distribution that existed already in the district with groups such as Foyle Food Bank at the centre of the programme which made more sense from a strategic point of view. He suggested that Council officers note the issues raised, however, plans have been agreed in all of the DEAs which were currently being implemented.
Councillor Burke reiterated that she had proposed that Council ensured that due process was followed. She stated that she was in no doubt that great work has been carried out and it had been difficult to reach an agreement. However, a process was in place that must be followed and it was her understanding that agreement had been reached before concerns had been addressed and that everyone who wished to engage on the matter should have the opportunity to do so.
Page 22 Councillor Durkan stated that as a Foyleside Councillor she had engaged and worked with those involved in the Foyleside response who were responsible for the distribution of food boxes during the pandemic. She stated that as Councillor Harkin had stated, lessons were learnt from the first time. She advised that discussions, suggestions and criticisms had taken place and that everyone had the opportunity to engage. She stated that the plan was about using existing resources and being better prepared and how to put resources to better use; not about undermining anyone. She felt that as a Councillor and someone that engaged on the board that she was satisfied that due process was followed and the plan came out of a very inclusive, fair and participatory process and reassured Members that this was the case in terms of moving forward. She stated that whilst Council’s role was not to interfere, Members therefore must be mindful not to set a precedent in the matter.
Councillor Donnelly stated that he had made the point on a number of occasions that there was a significant section of the community who did not view the current structures or did not engage or participate in them. He felt that this debate had fuelled those views regarding gatekeeping and control. He stated that those who did not buy into the current structures, did so for legitimate reasons, however, they were also part of the community as ratepayers and Council should be reaching out more to facilitate those people.
Councillor Carr stated that he concurred with the sentiments expressed by Councillor Durkan. He stated that as a Councillor in the Foyleside DEA due process had taken place in the matter. He stated that people chose not to engage with the process from the beginning and it was clear from the communications to Council on the matter.
Alderman Guy concurred with the comments made by Councillor Harkin and welcomed the participation of Foyle Food Bank in the programme. He welcomed the more stringent process this time round as in March 2020, there were problems with distribution and families being excluded from the scheme. However, with the use of Foyle Food Bank and the Trussell Trust, Council was more equipped to deal with such situations.
The Committee
Recommended that Members approve the following allocations, subject to Letter of Offer
Page 23 confirmation from Department for Communities and confirmation of Lead Partners from each of the Growth Partnerships who will receive the Letter of Offer in the respective DEA/DEAs: Waterside/Faughan £11,300; Moor £7,100; Foyleside £7,100; Ballyarnett £7,100; Strabane/Sperrin/Derg £30,344; An allocation to Apex Living Centre £20,000.
HC202/20 Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Partnership Fund
The Head of Community Development and Leisure presented the above report, details of which had been previously circulated to Members. The purpose of the report was to seek Members’ approval of the Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Partnership Fund proposal and for the allocation of funding to each of the advice agencies, subject to receipt of the Letter of Variance to the Community Support Letter of Offer from the Department for Communities (DfC).
Councillor Farrell thanked the Head of Community Development and Leisure for the report. He stated that there was clearly a definite need for enhanced advice services throughout the Council area, therefore, the additional funding was welcomed. He stated that the economic impact of Covid-19 had been severe with uncertainty of what the long term implications of this would be. He reported that in the last year, there were 2,300 extra people claiming unemployment benefits in this Council area. He stated that these people required free, impartial, professional advice regarding benefit entitlement, employment rights and redundancies. He expressed confidence that Advice North West, the Resource Centre and Dove House were more than capable of providing that much needed advice. He stated that he was conscious that the funding was only in place until March 2021 and the SDLP would be keen to ensure that these enhanced services were maintained after that date. He noted that this Council area had the highest rate of unemployed in the North of Ireland, the highest rate of sickness benefit claimants and pension credit claimants. This, coupled with the uncertainty of Covid-19 and in relation to Brexit in January 2021, strengthened the argument for a fully funded, permanent advice service. He stated that he endorsed the recommendation within the report.
Page 24 Councillor Duffy stated that as a Board Member of Advice North West, she had witnessed a significant increase in the work undertaken by the organisation, particularly during the pandemic. She stated that her Party welcomed the funding and thanked the Minister for Communities for her assistance.
Councillor Harkin stated that he also supported the recommendation within the report. He stated that as a Board Member on Advice North West, he fully understood how the employees were overwhelmed with the increase in demand. He stated that this was also true for the other advice service providers throughout the city and district and he noted that there were many other organisations that had attempted to assist due to the massive increase in poverty. He felt that, in his opinion, from previous discussions these issues had existed before the pandemic as a result of the implementation of welfare reform. However, it has become significantly worse due to the pandemic. He stated that advice service providers needed to recruit more staff to cope with the increase in people contacting them due to experiencing the harsh realities of redundancy, furlough, job security and a reduction in working hours. He added that these people were not aware of their basic employment rights or how to apply for assistance. He stated that whilst the funding was needed, he felt that it was not an anti-poverty strategy. He stated that in his opinion, it was an attempt to help those who were struggling with poverty and that any kind of strategy from the Stormont Executive or DfC that attempted to address the issues that give rise to the need for the expansion of advice services was currently out of reach. He stated that even with the additional funding, the workers would still be overwhelmed. He noted that a recent newspaper article had reported that almost 27% of children in this area were living in poverty which he described as disgraceful, with no plan to do anything about it. He emphasised the importance that an anti- poverty strategy needed to be implemented as soon as possible.
Alderman Devenney stated that the DUP supported the recommendation within the report. He commended all the advice service providers throughout the city and district who delivered a very vital service, particularly in pre-Covid times but yet again Covid had exacerbated the situation and had increased the workload of those providers.
Alderman Hussey welcomed the initiative and in particular the funding to Advice North West and hoped there would be considerable outreach, particularly to the rural areas, which was needed in these
Page 25 areas. He stated that the communication of the availability of the service would be very important within the overall funding package, also that there was knowledge distributed to the rural areas to those who needed it and details of when and where it would be available.
The Chair stated that he wished to add his support for the recommendation.
The Committee
Recommended that Members (i) approve the Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Partnership Fund proposal and (ii) approve the allocation of funding to each of the advice agencies as follows, subject to receipt of the Letter of Variance to the Community Support Letter of Offer from the Department of Communities: Advice North West, £57,796; Dove House, £11,935 and Resource Centre Derry, £2,330.
HC203/20 Electromagnetic Fields from 5G Base Stations
The Head of Health and Community Wellbeing presented the above report, details of which had been previously circulated to Members. The purpose of the report was to update Members on the results of an OFCOM survey of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF EMF) following an audit of a number of 5G base stations located across the UK.
Councillor Farrell thanked the Head of Health and Community Wellbeing for carrying out research and contacting OFCOM in relation to the matter. He noted that residents living within the vicinity of the masts needed reassurance that they presented no danger to their health or wellbeing. He noted that OFCOM had advised that there would be a cost of £1,000 for taking measurements at a base station mast. However, there would be no charge for testing for those base stations located close to schools if concerns were raised by those schools. He noted that the schools had been contacted on the matter and proposed that Council contact St Brigid’s College and St Paul’s Primary School, who were located in the vicinity of the mast at the Glengalliagh Road area of the city, to establish if they would be contacting OFCOM to have the mast tested. He stated that he was
Page 26 unsure of the location of the base station at Strand Road and if there were any schools in the immediate vicinity and asked officers to identify the location.
Councillor Duffy stated that when she had raised the matter in September there had been a huge interest in the local area and that residents of the area were fearful after a video had been circulated on social media stating that the mast was causing a danger to health. She suggested that Council agree to have the masts tested and did not believe that the cost was extortionate. She suggested that if testing could be carried out for free then proceed, however, they should be tested regardless as Council had a duty to those residents to give them some reassurance as to the safety of the mast.
Councillor Farrell Proposed, Seconded by Councillor Duffy
That Council contact St Brigid’s College and St Paul’s Primary School, who were located in the vicinity of the masts at the Glengalliagh Road, and Strand Road, to establish if they would be contacting OFCOM to have the mast tested. If this was not the case, Council should pursue having the measurements carried out at a cost of £1,000.
Councillor Ferguson asked if it was the responsibility of the school to request testing or could Council submit a request on their behalf. She welcomed the report and thanked the officers for all their work undertaken on the matter.
Councillor Farrell stated that it was important to get clarification on how close the schools needed to be to the masts and base stations to have them tested.
Alderman Guy indicated that the base station at Strand Road was located opposite B&M stores.
The Chair stated that he had also raised the matter at Council in 2019, and noted that his concerns on the matter had been somewhat allayed and the comments from Councillors Duffy and Farrell had addressed any further concerns he may have and therefore supported the proposal.
Page 27 Alderman Hussey stated that Council should record its disappointment that a body with a regulatory purpose was seeking to charge £1,000 for testing.
Councillor Doyle referred to the video that had been circulated some months back on social media which he described as a disgrace. He stated that whilst there were genuine concerns raised regarding the safety of the mast, Council must rely on scientific evidence and not the agenda of conspiracy theorists. He stated that the Committee had a previous discussion on food poverty and he did not think it was suitable to use ratepayer’s money on testing 5G masts as the result of a video. He stated that whilst Council had a duty of care to residents in the area, it should be mindful not to be pandering to conspiracy theorists.
Councillor Farrell stated that Council were not pandering to conspiracy theorists but were responding to genuine concerns raised by people who were afraid for their health and wellbeing after viewing the video that had been posted on social media. He felt that this method would prove the safety of the mast. He stated that he understood Councillor Doyle’s concerns regarding the testing costs, therefore it has been proposed to contact those schools from the area to establish if they were requesting to have the mast tested at no cost to the ratepayers.
The Committee
Recommended that Council contact any schools located in the vicinity of the masts at Glengalliagh Road and Strand Road area of the city, to establish if they would be contacting OFCOM to have measurements taken at the mast. If this was not the case, Council should pursue having measurements taken at the masts.
HC204/20 Grant Funding to Support Market Surveillance and Effective Implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, with respect to the supply of safe consumer products
The Head of Health and Community Wellbeing presented the above report, details of which had been previously circulated to Members. The purpose of the report was to seek Members’ approval of grant funding and associated agreement between the Secretary of State for
Page 28 Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC), in order to support safety related surveillance of the consumer product marketplace and to ensure effective implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, past the end of the UK/EU transition period on 1 January 2021.
Alderman Guy stated that the UUP were totally opposed to the Northern Ireland Protocol and that the added costs were not helpful to Northern Ireland businesses and consumers. He queried if the Head of Health and Community Wellbeing felt that the £55,000 from 23 October 2020 to 13 March 2021 was adequate for staff and associated costs.
In response, the Head of Health and Community Wellbeing stated that the Environmental Health Departments within the eleven councils held discussions in relation to the funding. He advised that the general consensus was that the current level of funding allocated should be sufficient However, the level of funding beyond March 2020 was not confirmed and this will be kept under review if Members agreed to proceed.
Aldermen Guy and Hussey stated that they wished to abstain from the item.
Councillors Ferguson and Duffy endorsed the recommendation within the report.
In response to a query by Councillor Duffy if Aldermen Guy and Hussey were Members of the Committee, it was confirmed that Alderman Hussey was a Member.
Alderman Devenney noted that the DUP would also be abstaining.
The Committee
Page 29 Recommended that Members approve the grant funding agreement between Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) in order to build capacity and capability for market surveillance in the DCSDC area during 2020/21.
Open for Information
HC205/20 Covid-19 Community Recovery Plans
The Head of Community Development and Leisure presented the above report, details of which had been previously circulated to Members. The purpose of the report was to provide Members with details of the Covid-19 Community Recovery Plans received from the eight Local Community Growth Partnership Boards.
Councillor Burke stated that she wished to place on record Sinn Féin's concern in relation to the issues that have arisen around the Foyleside proposal and the fact that no dedicated meeting of the Foyleside LGP had taken place to discuss the contents of the plan which is being presented to the Committee today. She stated that it was her Party’s understanding that two community organisations within the LGP had asked for a meeting to be held last week to try and gain consensus on the plan as they had their own suggestions of what could be added to the version that is before us today but to date this has not happened. She advised that the Sinn Féin Councillor on the Foyleside LGP has confirmed that this request was made and we are confident that the council officers and other Councillors on the LGP can confirm this.
She noted that she had already made reference to the Councils Code of Practice for LGP's regarding decision making and was aware of the Council's interpretation of the LGP Code of Practice around LGP’s reaching a consensus on proposals as the preferable option. However, if this is not achievable then a vote should be taken amongst LGP members. She expressed concern that on this occasion it appears that a vote was proposed on the Foyleside recovery plan before any final meeting was held. Apparently this was based on the presumption that a final consensus could not be reached on a recovery plan even though this had been achieved for the previous recovery plan earlier this year.
Page 30 Continuing, she felt that this had led to a number of LGP members not voting on the basis that they felt proper process had not been followed. These members later expressed their concerns in writing to both Council and the LGP but ultimately were told by Council officers that they could not force a meeting to be held. She stated that her Party did not believe this represented good governance and are also concerned that the Code of Conduct has no arbitration mechanism when a significant number of LGP members do not agree with how a process has been conducted. She stated that Sinn Féin are not asking for a response to these comments but would like them to be formally recorded in the minutes.
The Committee
Recommended that Members note the contents of the Covid-19 Community Recovery Plans for the 7 DEAs and Strabane Town.
HC206/20 EU Exit and NI Protocol: Imported food checks at points of entry/ports
The Head of Health and Community Wellbeing presented the above report, details of which had been previously circulated to Members. The purpose of the report was to update Members on the UK Governments approach to implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol and the work being carried out to prepare for the additional checks which may be required under EU law on agri-foods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Councillor Logue stated that she wished to register Sinn Féin’s concern regarding news circulating from food industries such as Sainsbury’s that they had expressed concerned regarding food shortages in the coming months.
The Committee
Recommended that Members note the contents of the report, including the work being carried out to prepare for the additional checks which may be required under EU law on agri- foods moving from GB to NI.
Page 31
HC207/20 Correspondence
The Director of Health and Community presented the above report, details of which were previously circulated to Members. The purpose of the report was to update Members on correspondence received by Council.
The Committee
Recommended that Members note the contents of the report. HC208/20 Consultations
The Director of Health and Community presented the above report, details of which were previously circulated to Members. The purpose of the report was to update Members on consultations received by Council.
The Committee
Recommended that Members note the contents of the report.
The meeting went into Confidential Business.
Page 32 Agenda Item 8 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Health & Community Sunday Trading Author: Head of Health & Community Wellbeing
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 Members are asked to consider a temporary extension of extended opening hours by large shops on a Sunday, while the coronavirus pandemic is in place.
2 Background
2.1 The provisions of the Shops (Sunday Trading & c) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 allows for large shops (those with a relevant floor area of more than 280 square metres) to open at any time between 1pm and 6pm on Sundays (other than Easter Sunday or when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday). The legislation also allows District Councils to designate any area in its district as a holiday resort. In such designated areas large shops may open at any time on Sunday on up to 18 Sundays (other than Easter Sunday) between 1 March and 30 September in any calendar year.
2.2 Small shops, those with a relevant floor area of not more than 280 square metres, may open at any time on Sundays.
2.3 The former Derry City Council designated its entire area as a holiday resort in 1998. This allowed the occupiers of large shops in the former Derry City Council area to give notice to the Council specifying up to 18 Sundays that they intended to open from the period 1st March to 30th September.
2.4 A register of such notices received each year for additional permitted opening hours for the former Derry City Council area is held by Council.
2.5 A deputation from the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) attended Health and Community Committee on 06 July 2017. Members subsequently took the decision not to designate the former Strabane District Council area as a holiday resort under Article 6 of the Shops (Sunday Trading & c) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.
Page 33 2.6 In April 2020 (C148/20) Members considered a statement issued by Usdaw in relation to Sunday trading during the COVID-19 pandemic which supported councils not taking enforcement action on shops if they extended Sunday opening hours and that the extension of opening hours should only be allowed on a temporary basis.
2.7 Members noted that no shops would be penalised for extending Sunday opening hours and hoped that these extra opening hours should be used specifically to facilitate opportunities for front-line staff and vulnerable persons to do their shopping.
3 Key Issues
3.1 During October and November 2020, the Environmental Health Service has received requests to facilitate Sunday trading by large shops outside the permitted hours ranging from the last few Sundays in November up to the end of December 2020, in order to help facilitate Coronavirus related management arrangements largely around numbers and management of ques.
3.2 As Councils current position on the extension of opening hours is that it should only be allowed on a temporary basis, Usdaw was consulted and the response is outlined on in Appendix 1. In the meantime requests have been temporarily facilitated until Council reviews the matter. Businesses have been advised that approval was ‘subject to change at any point or on the consideration of any objections, complaints or other feedback that may be received and that any restrictions that are in place under the Coronavirus Regulations, such as those that apply to the two week closure of all non-essential retail etc. took precedence and must be complied with.’
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications
4.1 No significant implications have been identified and there are no fees charged for the registration process.
5 Recommendations
5.1 Members to consider a temporary extension of extended opening hours by large shops within the hours of 10am to 6pm with additional managed opening hours for key workers and vulnerable shoppers (where required), while the coronavirus pandemic is in place.
Background Papers
Page 34 Mins Ref: C148/20
Appendix 1: Email response from USDAW
Page 35 This page is intentionally left blank Appendix 1
From: Michael Wheeler< [email protected]> Sent: 11 November 2020 11:28 To: Seamus Donaghy Subject: Sunday Trading - Usdaw Position
Hello Seamus,
Apologies for the slight delay but I have now spoken with colleagues around our current position on Sunday trading. Our agreed position at this time is as follows:
Our fundamental position on extended Sunday trading hours has not changed. We firmly believe that extended trading for large stores offers no real benefits for businesses and has a detrimental impact on retail workers, their families and their local communities.
During the Coronavirus Pandemic, we have been understanding and pragmatic around the decisions that local authorities have taken with regards to the enforcement of Sunday trading restrictions in their areas, and the flexibility they have needed to prioritise their response to the Pandemic.
We fully expect and would welcome assurances that local authorities will return to normal enforcement duties once the Pandemic has passed. The retail workers who have been on the frontline of the response, serving their communities deserve no less.
I hope this helps and if you have any questions then please do not hesitate to give me a call.
Yours,
Michael
Michael Wheeler | Political Officer [email protected] | 07919 227 892 | 0161 249 2452
Politics Section | Research & Economics Department | Usdaw
188 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 6LJ
Page 37 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 9
Title of Report: Officer presenting: Director of Health & Community
Update on the Public Conveniences Working Group Author: Head of Health & Community Wellbeing
1. Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 To update Members on the considerations of the Public Conveniences Working Group and to seek approval to implement the recommendations of the working group in relation to future public convenience provision.
2. Background
2.1 Following an update to Committee in September 2020 (HC151/20) it was agreed to convene a working group to consider future public convenience provision across the council area. Two meetings of the Working Group have been held and all relevant matters have been discussed. All council owned public conveniences remain closed in order to protect the health and safety of the general public and council employees during the Covid-19 pandemic.
3. Key Issues
3.1 Following the previous review of public conveniences carried out in 2017 there has been substantial progress made in relation to ensuring hygienic, safe and accessible public conveniences are available across the council area. This has primarily been achieved by the implementation of the Community Toilet Scheme and the roll-out of Changing Places Facilities. There are now 20 premises participating in the Community Toilet Scheme (100% of target) and 6 existing and 2 proposed Changing Places (600-800% of target). This provision is supplemented by the other public conveniences within council owned public and community buildings across the council area and that provided by businesses not part of the Community Toilet Scheme but willing to grant access to members of the public to use their facilities. Standards of hygiene
Page 39 within such premises can be generally higher due to regular servicing and supervision arrangements.
3.2 All council owned public conveniences have remained closed since March 2020 with negligible adverse impact on the general public. Arrangements are in place for those making enquiries to be directed to the council website and/or information provided directly in relation to the Community Toilet Scheme.
3.3 If it is agreed by Committee to reopen all or some of the public conveniences strict hygiene and safety protocols will be required including providing additional human resources, enhanced cleaning regimes, provision of additional hand sanitising equipment, additional signage and social distancing arrangements, staff training, staff supervision and premises management. These measures collectively have a significant cost related to them and in addition there will be recurrent costs related to the additional human resources and consumables deemed necessary to maintain a high and safe level of hygiene and infection prevention in the premises concerned.
3.4 The Working Group has considered the financial and other issues related to future public convenience provision and proposes the following recommendations:
Community Toilet Scheme
Carry out a scoping exercise to identify if there are premises that wish to join the Community Toilet Scheme in areas where there are public conveniences currently provided and there is a proposal to close council facilities on a permanent basis. Signage/Marketing of scheme to be enhanced.
Changing Places Facilities
Changing Place Facilities to be made available in Derg Valley Leisure Complex and Strabane Library facility Consider implementing Changing Places facilities in any new council premises as legislation requires.
Rental of temporary toilet facilities
Page 40 Review provision and payment for rental of temporary toilet facilities to groups and event organisers in July 2021.
Public Conveniences
Public conveniences at Sion Mills, Donemana, Barnes Gap and Plumbridge to remain closed until June/July 2021. The public convenience at Strabane town to remain closed permanently pending demolition as part of the Town Centre Public Realm Scheme. Public convenience at Moorlough to remain closed. DAERA to meet the costs of any further facility. Public convenience at Cranagh to remain closed. No sale or disposal of land until Community Asset Transfer avenue is explored. Consider opportunities for Community Asset Transfer of the public convenience buildings in council ownership prior to any sale or disposal of land.
Review
Review recommendations in 6 months. Further amendments can be made at this time when Community Asset Transfer, Community Toilet Scheme and Changing Places Facilities are scoped out. The need for public conveniences at particular play park facilities can also be explored during this time.
4. Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and Other Implications
4.1 The cost of providing and maintaining public conveniences in 2019-20 was £109,759, of which salaries and wages accounted for £54,810.43 and general maintenance £17,602 and payment for the rental of temporary public toilets £9235.
4.2 The implementation of the Community Toilet Scheme is at an annual net cost to Council of £11,300 in respect of the twenty businesses currently participating in the Scheme.
Page 41 4.3 If it is decided to permanently close public conveniences there will be human resource costs relating to the staff members involved in the day to day cleaning and related duties at the facilities involved. The human resource implications will be addressed by the councils Human Resources section.
4.4 There are significant cost savings to council should it decide to permanently close the remaining public conveniences, even if it chose to expand the Community Toilet Scheme to accept new applicants and taking into account any resultant human resource costs with no longer providing this service.
4.5 There are clear health and safety, infection control and other financial risks associated with reopening the public conveniences in the current pandemic, particularly given the uncertainty around the possibility of increased community spread of the virus.
4.5 There is potential to generate income if it decided to dispose of any lands freed up by the permanent closure of the public conveniences and for those that have been closed for a number of years.
5. Recommendations
5.1 That Members consider the recommendations at 3.4 above and agree the most appropriate course of action.
Background Papers
Mins Refs HC189/17, HC151/20 https://www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Environmental-Health/Health-Housing- Public-Conveniences/Public-Conveniences
Page 42 Agenda Item 10 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Health & Community Options for Brooke Park Bowling Green Port- a-Cabin Author: Head of Community Development & Leisure
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 To seek Members’ approval for a proposed upgrade of the Brooke Park Bowling Pavilion.
1.2 To seek Members’ approval permitting Officers to investigate long-term plans for the site.
2 Background
2.1 The Bowling Pavilion at Brooke Park Bowling green, is a stand-alone port-a-cabin, which hosts club members and visiting teams during the bowling season, which runs from the beginning of April to the end of September on an annual basis.
2.2 Brooke Park Bowling Club has approximately 20 - 25 members who play recreational and competitive bowls. The Club participates in the Northern Ireland Provincial Bowling League, in the senior 2 divisions. Their home matches are facilitated throughout the season with away teams visiting the greens and using the pavilion facilities.
2.3 The Pavilion, in its current structure, has been in place for approximately 40 years.
2.4 The meeting room is used for external groups and can be hired by local groups out of season.
3 Key Issues
3.1 A cursory survey of the existing structure has been completed by both Council’s Property team and a prefabrication specialist company, with the aim of identifying suitable improvement options.
3.2 There have been ongoing issues within the wider Brooke park leisure facility, in relation to traffic management. Further investigation by Council Officers is required to identify long-term solutions to improve traffic management on the site.
Page 43 3.3 There is a lack of changing facilities for bookings on the adjoining football pitch at Brooke Park. The current port-a-cabin received a new asphalt roof in 2018. Outside of the bowling season this Pavilion is underutilised.
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications
4.1 Income generated for this facility from both recreational play and league fixtures is estimated at approximately £850 per annum.
4.2 £60,000 was previously approved by Members to purchase a new prefabricated building (HC177/19).
4.3 Option One – Replacement: Leisure and Sport Officers have investigated costs for a “like for like” replacement structure with input from Council’s Capital team. Estimated cost to replace the existing structure with a new structure is approximately £180,000.
4.4 Option Two - Refurbishment: A cursory condition survey of the existing structure completed by the Council’s Property team identified the following areas for refurbishment or replacement:
Replacement of windows and external doors with PVC New gas heating system New Vinyl flooring throughout Refurbishment of existing kitchen New lockers Painting throughout External overhanging structure to allow spectators viewing
4.5 The estimated cost to complete Option Two would be approximately £50,000 - £60,000. Please note that this option would address immediate concerns on site, while simultaneously giving Officers time to review wider long-term concerns including the traffic management system and the lack of suitable changing.
5 Recommendations
5.1 That Members approve Option 2 - to complete the detailed refurbishment of the existing structure to the approximate cost of £60,000.
5.2 That Members endorse Officers to investigate long-term plans for the site to improve the traffic management system and provision of changing facilities.
Page 44 Background Papers
Min Ref: HC177/19
Page 45 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 11 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Health & Community Boxing Hub and Sports Hall provision at Melvin Sports Complex Author: Sports Development Manager
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 To update members on the appointment of consultants and fully integrated design team in relation to the development of a boxing hub and multi–purpose hall provision at Melvin Sports Complex.
1.2 To update members on the preparation of a business case and detailed design for delivery of the boxing hub and multi-purpose hall and identify a preferred option for delivery on a best value basis and in line with funders guidelines.
2 Background
2.1 Council has previously approved match funding totalling £600,000.00 towards the development of a new dedicated boxing facility and multi-purpose hall at Melvin Sports Complex, subject to securing the necessary match funding through Sport NI’s Multi Sports Programme.
2.2 Officers have applied for funding through Sport NI totalling £1 million towards an overall project cost of £1,600,000.00.
2.3 Officers have been successful in Stage II of the application process and have now been shortlisted as 1 of 10 projects that Sport NI will take forward to completion, subject to the development of the necessary Business Case.
2.4 Council had previously approved the appointment of a fully integrated consultancy team including business case consultants in relation to the development of a dedicated Boxing Facility and Multi-purpose hall at Melvin Sports Complex.
3 Key Issues
3.1 Officers are in the process of commissioning one consultant to undertake the development of a Business Cases for the above named project.
3.2 This will include an assessment of the viability of the proposed projects in terms of the following:
Page 47 • Detailed specification and related costings • Preferred management model • Evidenced demand • Potential duplication or displacement considerations • Options analysis • Financial costs, viability and affordability
3.3 The Council’s Capital team have also commenced the commissioning of an Architect and Quantity Surveyor to assist with the completion of the above Business Case.
3.4 In addition, officers through a separate procurement process are commissioning a fully integrated design team to progress the project in line with the timescales issued by the project funder.
3.5 The appointment of the fully integrated design team will only be confirmed once the Business Case has been approved by Sport Northern Ireland.
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications
4.1 Council has previously approved budget totalling £600,000.00 toward the completion of the project.
4.2 Business Case development and appointment of Fully Integrated Design Team will be financed through previously agreed budgets.
5 Recommendations
5.1 That Members endorse the current position including the progression of the necessary work to complete final process and stage 3 of Sport NI Multi Sports Programme.
Background Papers
None
Page 48 Agenda Item 12 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Health & Community Cycling Ireland - Regional Cycle Hubs Author: Sports Development Manager
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 To update Members on Cycling Ireland’s initiative to create regional Cycling Hubs throughout Northern Ireland to promote cycling as an accessible and enjoyable pursuit for everyone.
2 Background
2.1 Cycling Ireland is the National Governing Body for the sport of cycling on the island of Ireland.
2.2 Cycling Ireland aims to create a number of regional hubs in partnership with other stakeholders. This regional hub would be the focal point of programme delivery in that area.
2.3 In association with local schools and clubs, the cycle hubs would become focal points in local areas for a planned programme of introductory sessions and training programmes delivered through Cycling Ireland.
3 Key Issues
3.1 Cycling Ireland have identified the Derry City and Strabane District Council area as a location for one of their proposed Cycling Hubs.
3.2 Cycling Ireland has had preliminary discussions with Foyle College with a view of placing the Cycling Hub on the college site.
3.3 The Foyle College site is the preferred location for the Cycle Hub given the strong club structures that exist within the local area.
3.4 Cycling Ireland has also identified a possible funding source to help establish the Cycling Hub and has sought Council support in progressing the application form.
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and Other Implications
Page 49 4.1 There are no financial implications at present or any other implications.
5 Recommendations
5.1 That Members endorse the current position including further engagement by officers with Cycling Ireland with a view of securing external funding and bringing the programme to the district.
Background Papers
None
Page 50 Agenda Item 13 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Health and Community Department of Justice Draft Modern Slavery Strategy for Northern Ireland 2021-22: Draft Author: Head of Community Development Response to Consultation and Leisure
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 To seek Members’ approval on a draft response to the Department of Justice Draft Modern Slavery Strategy for NI 2021-22 Consultation. (Appendix 1)
2 Background
2.1 Council was notified on 16th October 2020 that the Department of Justice would welcome Council’s views/comments on the content of the Draft Modern Slavery Strategy for Northern Ireland 2021-22 (Appendix 2) by 7th January 2021. A draft response to the consultation is attached.
3 Key Issues
3.1 The deadline for receipt of responses to the consultation by the Department of Justice is Thursday 7th January 2021.
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement and other Implications
4.1 There are no financial or other implications.
5 Recommendations
5.1 That Members approve the draft response to the consultation as outlined in Appendix 1.
Background Papers
Appendix 1: Draft Consultation Response
Appendix 2: DoJ Draft Modern Slavery Strategy for Northern Ireland 2021-22
Page 51 https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-tackling-modern-slavery
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Before you submit a response, please also read the Privacy Notice above which sets out how we will use personal information as part of the processing of consultation responses.
Contact name: Karen McFarland
Name and address of organisation: Derry City and Strabane District Council
98 Strand Road, Derry Bt48 0RZ
E-mail address: [email protected]
Q1. Do you agree that the strategic aim of “Equipping Northern Ireland to eradicate modern slavery remains appropriate for the 2021/22 strategy?
Response: YES
Q2. Have you any other comments or suggestions on the strategic aim?
Response:
Derry City and Strabane District Council agrees that the strategic aim of „Equipping Northern Ireland to eradicate modern slavery‟ remains appropriate for the 2021/22 strategy. This agreement is on the understanding that the strategic aim also covers the eradication of Human Trafficking and that a commitment remains to deliver the strategy in partnership with An Garda Síochána (AGS) and our partners in the rest of GB, Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe. Council also welcomes the fact that „partnership and collaboration‟ remains a cross-cutting theme in the draft modern slavery strategy for 2021 – 22.
Council notes that the strategic aim is aligned to Outcome 7 in the Programme for Government (PfG): “We have a safe community where we respect the law and each other.” The strategic aim also fits with Council‟s Strategic Growth Plan (Community Plan) linking directly to the Social Wellbeing pillar: “We live in a shared, equal and safe community.”
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Q3. Do you agree that the draft Strategic Priorities of PURSUE, PROTECT AND PREVENT remain appropriate for the 21/22 strategy?
Response: YES
Q4. Have you any other comments or suggestions on the Strategic Priorities?
Response:
Council agrees that the draft strategic priorities of PURSUE, PROTECT AND PREVENT remain appropriate for the 2021/22 strategy. Council also recognises that the cross cutting theme of partnership and collaboration is essential to underpin these three priorities. The three draft strategic priorities are reflective of the strategic pillars included in the Department‟s draft Organised Crime Strategy for NI 2020-2023. This is appropriate given the relationship between the draft Organised Crime Strategy and the draft Modern Slavery Strategy.
While recognising the requirement of law enforcement agencies to pursue those involved in human trafficking and modern slavery it is clear that this alone will not protect the victims and their families from this criminal exploitation. In order to build safe, shared, confident and resilient communities we must work in partnership to raise awareness of the detrimental societal impact of this human manipulation. We must also strive to create an environment where all communities reject these activities and support the victims of this exploitation. In order to achieve this, we must work in partnership at a local level as well as on a global scale to create the circumstances where this criminal control is not acceptable and where people have confidence in the criminal justice system to deal robustly with these issues.
Q5. In general, do you consider the measures proposed under PURSUE appropriate?
Response: YES
Q6. Are there any measures under PURSUE that you consider should be added or omitted (please provide reasons)?
Response:
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The „Pursue‟ strand enhances and monitors the operational response to pursue and disrupt offenders and bring them to justice. PSNI‟s dedicated Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Unit (as art of the Organised Crime Task Force) has a primary role to play in the delivery of this strand but can only provide this by working in collaboration with other partners. This strand essentially deals with the pursuit, apprehension and arrest of the perpetrators of human trafficking and modern slavery; the prosecution and conviction of modern slavery offenders and the disruption of criminals and organised crime gangs responsible for this coercive control and exploitation.
However, the conclusion of Brexit in January 2021 is a concern for our Council area that has a substantial land border with the EU. Organised Crime Gangs may see this as an opportunity to exploit uncertainty along the border which could make this area a major route into the UK for those involved in human trafficking and modern slavery. To effectively tackle this issue international and cross border cooperation must be enhanced rather than reduced and partnerships developed with An Garda Siochána (AGS) and Europol must not be diminished. Derry City and Strabane District Council is concerned that access to EU measures is still subject to the outcome of negotiations between the UK and EU on the Future Security Partnership.
Indeed, earlier this month (November 2020) the PSNI Chief Constable, Simon Byrne, advised MPs on the NI Affairs Committee that the border could be exploited by criminals as „the soft underbelly of the Common Travel Area‟ when the Brexit transition period ends. At the same meeting the National Crime Agency Director General, Steve Rodhouse also raised concerns about being able to share intelligence with EU police forces as quickly as they do now.
Given the global nature of human trafficking and modern slavery Derry City and Strabane District Council is concerned that the ability of police to pursue offenders will be diminished as a result of Brexit and indeed our Council area may become a focus for organised crime gangs involved in the illegal movement and exploitation of people as they seek to exploit this „soft underbelly.‟
Q7. In general, do you consider the objectives and commitments proposed under PURSUE appropriate?
Response: YES Q8. Do you have any further comments under PURSUE?
Response:
As outlined in Q6 above the biggest obstacle to tacking the organised crime gangs involved in human trafficking and modern slavery is the potential loss
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of collaboration and partnership with colleagues in EU police services as a result of the UK withdrawal.
The recent Criminal Justice Inspectorate NI report on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (October 2020) found that there were good connections between PSNI officers, other police forces and other relevant organisations like the National Crime Agency and that officers from the PSNI Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit and prosecutors worked really well together in most cases.
However, the Inspectorate recommended that here needs to be greater focus on pursuing perpetrators of trafficking offences against children and more research is required as we don‟t know enough about the extent of this criminal activity in NI.
In their report CJINI state that “Modern slavery and human trafficking are complex global crimes. Often described as „hidden in plain sight‟ many victims could be working in the public eye and visible in local communities”.
Q9. In general, do you consider the measures proposed under PROTECT appropriate?
Response: YES
Q10. Are there any measures under PROTECT that you consider should be added or omitted (please provide reasons)?
Response:
The „Protect‟ strand places a focus on increasing the identification of victims of human trafficking and modern slavery as well as providing potential victims with appropriate support and protection to help them escape from this exploitation and make a full recovery from their experiences. Council acknowledges that the Department recognises the need to prevent people from becoming victims in the first place and accepts that this strategy seeks to reduce the vulnerability of those who may be targeted by traffickers.
To achieve this aim Council agrees with the CJINI inspection recommendation to increase public awareness of Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking (MSHT) highlighting what it looks like and the harm it causes. Council also concurs with the CJINI finding that better support for victims of MSHT is required during the prosecution process. We need to ensure that the victims are at the centre of this strategy and recognise that their needs and safety is paramount as we support the exploited individual and prosecute the criminal perpetrator.
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Q11. In general, do you consider the objectives and commitments proposed under PROTECT appropriate?
Response: YES
Q12. Do you have any further comments under PROTECT?
Response:
Council welcomes that the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) subgroup has committed to facilitate greater public awareness of MSHT generally and more specifically to publicise the operational successes of law enforcement partners.
Council would suggest that local authorities are added to the list of First Responder organisations authorised to make referrals through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). As this is the national referral mechanism for identifying and supporting victims and potential victims of modern slavery it is appropriate that Councils are included in the authorised list. Local authorities have staff that regularly carry out inspections on residential and business premises (Building Control, Environmental Health, Planning etc.) and these officers may be the first to have suspicions about individuals. Council also employs street cleaners, community safety wardens, licensing officers all of whom may witness MSHT and wish to report to NRM.
Councils are also best placed to promote the Modern Slavery Helpline and support awareness raising campaigns at a local level ensuring that residents are more aware of MSHT, reporting mechanisms and support agencies delivering operational services locally.
Q13. In general, do you consider the measures proposed under PREVENT appropriate?
Response: YES
Q14. Are there any measures under PREVENT that you consider should be added or omitted (please provide reasons)?
Response:
Council welcomes the objective to reduce vulnerability of exploitation and re-exploitation especially the commitment to strengthen links with PCSPs and local government. As outlined in the response to Q12 councils are
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ideally placed to increase awareness of MSHT at a local level. Council also welcomes the commitment under this theme to raise awareness of risk and promote good practice through NI Local Government Association (NILGA).
Council acknowledges that in April 2020 the Department has provided guidance to equip council personnel and their partners to identify, signpost and support victims of modern slavery and that MSHT has been identified as a potential future agenda item for the PCSP manager‟s meetings.
Council also welcomes the fact that PSNI is collaborating with Councils regarding raising awareness of the signs of modern slavery in terms of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs)
Q15. In general, do you consider the objectives and commitments proposed under PREVENT appropriate?
Response: YES
Q16. Do you have any further comments under PREVENT?
Response:
The „Prevent‟ element in the draft strategy aims to reduce the threat of modern slavery by reducing vulnerability and demand and by raising awareness among the public of this criminal activity. It is important that awareness of this exploitation is increased to encourage people to report suspected MSHT to the relevant authorities thus enabling the enforcement authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. This increase in awareness requires a multi-agency and mixed media approach and it is important that councils and PCSPs are included to ensure that the message is effectively delivered at a local level.
It is worth noting that in 2019/20 only 22 calls were made to the MSHT helpline. It is also worrying that 17.5% of referrals received by the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) related to children. This shows the need for a holistic communications strategy and action plan to raise awareness of this hidden crime and council believes that local authorities can use their existing networks and communications channels to disseminate this important information in order to raise local awareness.
Q17. Please provide any other comments you wish to make on the draft 2021/22 strategy.
Response:
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It is important to recognise that our Council area has A regional airport A regional hospital A transportation hub A university campus A significant land border with the EU and that these factors may make it attractive for organised crime gangs involved in MSHT especially after the Brexit transition period expires.
Q18. Please provide any other comments you wish to make specifically on the 2020/21 commitments detailed in the strategy.
Response:
Page 59 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 14 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Health and Community NI Assembly Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill Draft Response to Consultation Author: Head of Community Development & Leisure
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 To seek Members’ endorsement of a draft response to the NI Assembly Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill Consultation.
2 Background
2.1 Council was notified on 26th November 2020 that the NI Assembly would welcome Council’s views/comments on the content of the Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill by 15th January 2021. The draft response to the consultation is attached at Appendix 1.
3 Key Issues
3.1 The deadline for receipt of responses to the consultation by the NI Assembly is 15th January 2021.
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Issues and other Implications
4.1 There are no financial or other implications.
5 Recommendations
5.1 Members endorse the draft response to the consultation as outlined in Appendix 1.
Background Papers
Appendix 1: Draft Response to consultation
Appendix 2: Committee for Justice correspondence
Page 61 This page is intentionally left blank
Derry City and Strabane District Council Draft Response to NI Assembly ‘Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill’ Consultation
Do members agree with the intention of this new legislation to speed up justice through improving the operation of the criminal justice system by reforming committal proceedings? Derry City and Strabane District Council welcomes the opportunity to respond to the NI Assembly consultation on the Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill. Council believes that the Bill will enhance the existing judicial process and improve the operation of the criminal justice system. Council notes that the Bill is a significant element to ‘speeding up justice’ that is a key priority in the Programme for Government and directly relates to Outcome 7 ‘we have a safer community where we respect the law and each other.’ One of the indicators for this outcome is the average time taken to complete criminal cases and it is hoped that this Bill will contribute to the delivery of this indicator. Council recognises the speed that cases progress through the system matters to victims and witnesses, their families and their communities and can help offenders to better understand the implications of their actions. A slow justice system leads to a lack of confidence in the system for victims, witnesses and offenders. Indeed, the Outcomes Delivery Plan (December 2019) showed a negative change with the average time taken to complete criminal cases rising from 143 days in 2014/15 to 167 days in 2018/19. Council agrees that the Bill supports The Fresh Start Panel recommendation that ‘the Department of Justice should use the measures already available to it to abolish committal proceedings in respect of those offences most frequently linked to paramilitary groups, including terrorist offences and offences which tend to be committed by organised crime groups’ (Recommendation A11). The Bill also delivers on recent recommendations made by the NI Audit Office (March 2018), the Criminal Justice Inspectorate for NI (November 2018) and the Gillen Review (May 2019). Council is hopeful that the enactment of the Bill will reduce the time taken to complete criminal cases in NI to below the 2014/15 baseline of 143 days, lead to increased confidence in the criminal justice system and ultimately provide a better process for witnesses, victims and offenders.
1 Page 63
Council acknowledges the significant work already carried out by Department of Justice officials and the consultations already undertaken to get the Bill to this stage. Council looks forward to the implementation of the Bill and will monitor the impact that the new legislation is having for victims, witnesses and offenders.
Do members agree with the proposal to abolish oral evidence within the traditional committal process? Council agrees that the proposal within the Bill to abolish oral evidence within the traditional committal process will speed up the court procedure for victims, witnesses and perpetrators. The proposal will negate the requirement for witnesses to have to give oral evidence at the committal hearing at a Magistrates' Court and then again at the Crown Court. The experience of giving oral evidence can often be traumatic and daunting, particularly under cross-examination, and can have a significant impact, often negative, on victims and witnesses. Those providing evidence often feel that they are on trial and to have to go through this process on at least two occasions is extremely unnerving and intimidating for many individuals. The proposal aims to minimise the impact on victims and witnesses, so that they have to give oral evidence only once at the Crown Court. The Bill will retain the current process of written evidence being given through the preliminary inquiry at the Magistrates' Court hearing but remove oral evidence being given through the preliminary investigation and mixed committal. In essence this means that oral evidence will be provided once, at the Crown Court trial. The removal of this requirement also delivers on the recommendation in the Fresh Start Agreement that ‘oral evidence pre Crown Court trial should be removed’ and the Department’s intention to eradicate the traditional committal process entirely will see the implementation of the commitment in the NI Audit Report of 2018 on avoidable delay in the criminal justice system.
Do members agree with the proposal to repeal section 10 of the Justice Act
2 Page 64
(Northern Ireland) 2015? Section 10 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 provides that a Magistrate’s Court will directly commit an accused to the Crown Court if they indicate, prior to a traditional committal hearing, an intention to plead guilty. Whilst Council recognises the benefits to victims, witnesses and defendants of ‘fast-tracking’ cases in which the accused wishes to plead guilty the issue occurs where the defendant changes this plea when the case goes to the Crown Court as this necessitates a return to the Magistrates Court. This then presents significant operational risks, concerns and difficulties. Council recognises that the if the Bill is enacted then section 10 of the Act becomes obsolete, in any case, as the offences will go directly to the Crown Court to be heard and they will be unable to revert to the Magistrates Court as the committal hearing has already been eradicated. Council also accepts that the proposal to repeal section 10 has been agreed after extensive consultation with relevant criminal justice organisations and has been agreed by the Criminal Justice Board.
Do members agree with the proposal to extend the list of offences to which direct committal will initially apply? The Fresh Start Panel Report recommended that the Department of Justice will work closely with justice organisations to identify suitable offences to be added to the list of offences which can be directly transferred to the Crown Court. The Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill supports the delivery of this recommendation by extending the list of offences that go directly to the Crown Court. In its November 2018 Report the Criminal Justice Inspectorate for NI (CJINI) also recommended that DoJ should ensure that rape, serious sexual offences and child abuse offences should be added to the list of specified offences under the Justice Act (NI) 2015. The proposed Bill will ensure that related offences can be transferred to the Crown Court together with specified offences. This list of offences will apply to both adult and youth cases and will include terrorism related offences and serious sexual offences. While Council accepts that these offences should now be heard in the Crown Court it does have concerns that Clause 4, Sub-section 4 of the Bill allows the
3 Page 65
Department to designate additional offences to which direct committal under the legislation will apply, in the future, by way of an Order. Adding or removing offences by way of an Order does not require primary legislation or Assembly approval but would be shared with the Justice Committee. It is the reduced level of scrutiny and potential lack of transparency that Council is highlighting when expressing concern with the Department being able to add or remove offences by way of an Order. This process does not require debate in the chamber but will obviously be notified to the Committee.
Any other issues? None
Email completed response to: [email protected]
4 Page 66
Northern Ireland Assembly John Kelpie Chief Executive Derry City and Strabane District Council 98 Strand Road Derry BT48 7NN
26 November 2020 Dear Mr Kelpie,
CRIMINAL JUSTICE (COMMITTAL REFORM) BILL
The Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill was introduced into the Assembly on 3 November 2020. The Bill passed Second Stage on 16 November 2020 and the Committee Stage commenced on 17 November 2020.
The Committee for Justice would welcome your views/comments on the content of the Bill.
Your written submission should be structured to address specific clauses or the Schedule of the Bill. If appropriate, it should include any amendments you wish to propose to the text of the Bill. Information regarding the Bill can be obtained from the Assembly’s website http://nia1.me/4b5 or can be provided on request by emailing the Committee at [email protected]
The closing date for written submissions is Friday 15 January 2021.
Written evidence should be submitted in Word format and preferably by email to [email protected] or, by post, to The Committee Clerk, Room 242, Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3XX.
Unless indicated otherwise it will be assumed that those submitting written evidence have no objection to it being made public by the Committee.
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If you have any queries or require any further information please contact the Committee Clerk, Christine Darrah, on 028 9052 1629.
Yours sincerely
Christine Darrah
Christine Darrah Clerk to the Committee for Justice
Page 68 Agenda Item 15 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director Health and Community Advice Services Author: Head of Community Development and Leisure
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek Members’ approval for the reallocation of £22,293 for Advice Services funding to be reallocated to provide for additional Marketing costs and/or any additional hours identified as required as a result of the emergency response.
2 Background
2.1 In March 2020 Members approved additional support for Advice Services to enable community based responses as a result of the COVID19 emergency (C112/20).
2.2 A monthly allocation of £22,293 was allocated towards extended opening hours, additional telephone lines and additional staff resources for April 2020. A further allocation of £22,293 was allocated for May 2020 (HC128/20). However the Providers advised that they would prefer the additional resources to be made available in October/November 2020 when demand would be likely to increase as the effects of the pandemic impact more on people as a result of job losses/redundancies.
2.4 In November 2020 however, further funding resources were provided by the Department for Communities and Members approved the Financial Inclusion Programme which allocated funding to each of the three Advice Agencies to provide out of hours evening and additional Saturday opening (HC202/20).
2.5 As part of this Programme Council approved funding of £8,024 towards a Marketing campaign.
3 Key Issues
3.1 The Financial Inclusion Programme is now operational during evenings and weekends.
3.2 In consultation with Advice Services it has been identified that resources are required to provide additional marketing in order to ensure that all our Citizens have access to these valuable services at this time.
Page 69 3.3 The £22,293 remains approved within budgets but unspent and it is recommended that this resource is now allocated to provide additional marketing and/or any additional hours of support through the Advice Agencies which may be identified and can be provided.
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications
4.1 The £22,293 required has already been approved for Additional Hours of Advice Services and will be reallocated and therefore there are no financial implications to Council.
4.2 There are no other Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs or other implications.
5 Recommendations
5.1 That Members approve the reallocation of £22,293 to provide for additional Marketing costs and/or any additional hours identified as required and agreed by the three Advice Providers as a result of the emergency response.
Background Papers
Mins Refs: C112/20; HC128/20; HC202/20
Page 70 Agenda Item 16
Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Health & Community Additional NI Executive Funding for Food Support Author: Community Development Manager/Head of Community Development & Leisure
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 To provide Members with details of the potential for an additional food support allocation following recent communication from the Department for Communities (DFC), in the wake of the announcement by the Northern Ireland Executive to allocate an additional £3.5m to DfC for Food support during 2020/2021.
1.2 To seek Members’ approval for proposals submitted by the Growth Partnerships and Food Banks subject to funding allocations from Department for Communities (DfC).
2 Background
2.1 The Department for Communities has advised that a funding allocation will be made available for an additional food support programme to be co delivered by Council and the community voluntary sector to support those most in need.
2.2 It is expected that this additional support will be available during December and up to the end March to supplement both Christmas specific initiatives and offer further support over the winter period.
2.3 Workshops are currently being delivered by DfC to scope the potential of working with Council to further resource this activity within the District Council area, via a further allocation of Community Support Fund resource, reflecting population and needs analysis.
2.3 It is envisaged support for sustainable initiatives to cover the period up to 31st March 2021 will build on existing interventions that are being delivered by community and voluntary organisations. These will be informed by a consultation process to ensure the target areas identified: Children and young people, carers, older people, people living with a disability, anyone who has lost income as a direct
Page 71 result of the pandemic, clinically extremely vulnerable, can be supported by localised initiatives which add value to existing supports.
2.4 In addition to the NI Executive Food support the Department have also held consultation meetings with Councils regarding a Warm, Well and Connected Programme and a Volunteering Programme which will also be delivered through Councils. The Warm, Well and Connected programme will target resources to Neighbourhood Renewal and areas at Risk to be defined by DfC to tackle Loneliness and Isolation, Mental Health and Fuel Poverty. Separate allocations from the Department will also be provided to the Rural Support Networks and the Healthy Living Centres under this programme. Council have been informed that the allocation to Derry City and Strabane District Council for this initiative will be £60,378.37.
Officers have met with the Neighbourhood Renewal Groups who have indicated that there is an immediate need for resources in relation to Fuel Poverty.
Officers have had initial discussions with the Department regarding the Volunteering programme and have been informed verbally that the allocation is likely to be in line with the allocation for Warm, Well and Connected as outlined above.
Officers will work with local stakeholders in the design of this programme.
2.5 The Department for Communities (DfC) have also confirmed that Councils will also receive a Third Tranche of funding which will be formally communicated to Councils in early December. It has been indicated by DfC that this funding can be allocated across the Themes of Food, Financial or Connectivity.
3 Key Issues
3.1 Initial scoping has been undertaken with DfC to share learning from the first phase food response and obtain initial views and comments from a range of stakeholders to determine the practicalities of managing the allocation and delivery of the programme.
3.2 Consultation has been undertaken with the Local Growth Partnerships and Food Banks in order to investigate the opportunities to build on the existing Access to Food Programme recently approved at October committee.
An outline programme has been developed building on the existing structures, which will increase the range of support available to the most vulnerable across
Page 72 the district. An outline programme of additional support to enhance the Access to Food Phase 1 activity is provided at Appendix 1.
3.3 The proposals attached include a Voucher Scheme. Officers are currently consulting with the Growth Partnerships and working with our Audit and Finance departments in order to develop procedures for implementation of this new scheme.
3.4 Given the emergency nature of the programme there may be a need to reallocate funds across the Items as outlined within Appendix 1, within the allocations to each of the Growth Partnership areas.
3.5 There is a need to ensure, as far as possible that these resources are available during the Christmas and New Year period as well as for the period to March 2021.
3.6 The funding for all programmes are required to be spent by 31 March 2021.
3.7 Foyle Food Bank have requested that the allocation already approved at October committee to the Apex Living Centre is split between the Food Bank and Social Supermarket as they are separate entities, providing £13,312.24 to Foyle Food Bank and £6687.76 to Apex Housing Association who operate the Social Supermarket.
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications
4.1 It is anticipated that a letter of variance to the CSP allocation for the Food programme will be provided in week beginning 7 December 2020 to allow early implementation. The Department had provided an indicative allocation of £235k. However at the time of writing they have now confirmed the final allocation will be £221k. The department have however also confirmed that the deficit of £14k can be provided for through the Tranche 3 allocation which will be confirmed in early December. No match funding is required from Council.
4.2 An indicative allocation of £60378.78 has been provided by DfC in relation to the Warm, Well and Connected programme. It is anticipated this will be included in the letter of variance to the CSP allocation in week beginning 7 December 2020. No match funding is required from Council.
4.3 The department have confirmed an allocation of £55k for the Volunteering Programme. No match funding is required from Council.
Page 73 4.4 Governance and audit implications are currently being scoped in order to oversee the funding allocation and in particular the potential for a Voucher type scheme.
4.5 The programme has been designed to provide additional animation resource for the most rural areas in order to enhance the support available across the rural areas.
4.6 The allocation of £20k outlined in 3.3 above has already been approved at October committee.
5 Recommendations
5.1 It is recommended that Members approve the following allocations, subject to Letter of Offer confirmation from Department for Communities, confirmation of Lead Partners from each of the Growth Partnerships who will receive the Letter of Offer in the respective DEA/DEA’s in line with the information outlined in Appendix 1.
Ballyarnett - £20040 Foyleside - £20040 Moor - £20040 Waterside/Faughan - £38960 Strabane/Derg/Sperrin - £64160 Foyle Food Bank £4000 Churches Vol Trust £10280 Apex Housing Association (Social Supermarket) – £23012 Easilink £4500 Faughan/Derg/Sperrin (meals on wheels providers) £12000 All DEAs (split to be agreed with all P/ships) £17968 (meals on wheels providers)
5.2 That members approve the reallocation of funds within items as outlined in Appendix 1 as considered necessary to meet the emergency situation within each of the Partnership allocations. These reallocations will require approval of the relevant Growth Partnerships.
5.3 That members approve that the £14k deficit for the Food programme can be provided from the Tranche 3 allocation to Council and that in relation to the
Page 74 balance of funding from this programme, officers work on the development of a connectivity programme working with schools across the District in order to ensure that children are not deprived in relation to access to Digital resources.
5.4 That members approve officers to work with DfC, Neighbourhood Renewal Groups and areas at risk identified as deemed eligible by DfC to agree the allocation of funding for the Warm, Well and Connected programme.
5.5 That members approve officers to work with local stakeholders to design the delivery of the £55k to be allocated to the Council area by DfC in relation to the Volunteering programme
Background Papers
Appendix 1: Phase 2 Access to Food Proposals
Page 75 This page is intentionally left blank Appendix 1
DRAFT PROPOSAL for DC&SDC AREA
Important that DC&SDC utilise the new food partnership/ infrastructure set up under the DFC initial ‘food poverty’ transition support fund in October 2020 which has been in operation for the past 4 weeks. Also by utilising our current/agreed monitoring/evaluation framework we can minimise the burden of another new programme / application / administration/steering group/monitoring framework etc.
ITEM Breakdown Costs Allocation Per DEA Facilitator Fees (Moor/Foyleside/Ballyarnett £28,080 Ballyarnett DEA £5040 DEA Facilitator Fees-Central DEAs (Currently 16hrs per DEA) referral process in each Require additional Foyleside DEA £5040 DEA/co-ordinate WRAP 21hrs per week/16 weeks/£15 Around Service/Follow Up per hr =£5040 x 3= £15,120 The Moor DEA £5040 with clients /administration. Require additional hrs for Waterside/Faughan DEA’s Waterside & Faughan DEA WRAP service and extend (Currently 20hrs ) Requires £6480 each helpline opening. additional 54hrs per week/16 Support is very time intensive weeks/£15 per hr=£12,960 and we would definitely not be e.g. to assist capacity in rural able to cope with an influx of areas such as PARK cases. In addition the additional monies is not just for those whose income has been affected by Covid but also to support a wider range of vulnerable people/needs including carers, older people, those isolating, people living with a disability, domestic violence etc. Foyle Food Bank (Upscale) Food £4000 FFB £4000 To meet increase demand of food parcels
Foyle Social Supermarket Food £5000 £23,012 APEX £23,012 (APEX) scale up by 50% if Volunteer expenses £1500 staff resources, van and Van £66 a day x 2 x 16 =£2112 monies for food made 2 staff x 30hrs x £15hr X 16 available weeks =£14400 Churches Voluntary Trust Weighing Trolley - £1800.00 £10,280 CVT £10280 With Churches being closed Ambient food 800kg x 8 and drop in numbers deliveries x 45p - £2880 attending there is additional Packaging - £2000 requirement for ambient food/ fresh food/packaging, bags Staff Costs- 15hrs X £15 X 16 and boxes and a weighing weeks= £3600 trolley.
Strabane Community Ambient/Fresh Food £9400 Strabane Community Project Project (Food (Currently £150 per week) £9400
Page 77 bank/supermarket) Require additional £400 per week X 16 weeks=£6400 Hygiene products (Currently £345) Require addition £100 per week x 15 weeks=£1500 Food boxes for delivery (Currently £480) Require addition £100 per week x 15 weeks=£1500 Food Voucher Scheme £10,000 per DEA £50,000 Ballyarnett DEA £10000 (utilising local suppliers/businesses) Ensure Foyleside DEA £10000 families who have the ability to get out and about to The Moor DEA £10000 purchase their own foods supplies etc can do so Waterside £10000 throughout Christmas/new Strabane £10,000 Year (easing the burden on foodbank/staff/volunteers) and also ensuring that we can treat individuals/families with as much dignity/respect that we can and assist them with budgeting WHITE GOODS £5,000 per DEA’s £25,000 Ballyarnett DEA £5000 Each DEA purchase white goods for families in need e.g. Foyleside DEA £5000 slow cookers/microwave etc alongside healthy The Moor DEA £5000 eating/nutrition workshops Waterside £5,000 Strabane £5,000
Rural Programme
Facilitator Fees £17,760 Derg /Sperrin/Strabane
(need has been identified to provide animation across rural areas)
Food Voucher Scheme £7,000 Per DEA £21,000 Faughan (utilising local Derg suppliers/businesses Sperrin where possible) Ensure families who have the ability to get out and about to purchase their own foods supplies etc can do so throughout Christmas/new Year (easing the burden on
Page 78 foodbank/staff/volunteers) and also ensuring that we can treat individuals/families with as much dignity/respect that we can and assist them with budgeting
WHITE GOODS £4,000 per DEA £12,000 Faughan Each DEA purchase Derg white goods for families in Sperrin need e.g. slow cookers/microwave etc alongside healthy eating/nutrition workshops EASI LINK (Currently £150 per £4,500 Easi Link £4500 week) Requires additional £300 per week X 15 weeks MEALS ON WHEELS Rural Areas £12k £4k each Faughan Sperrin Derg
All Areas
MEALS ON WHEELS TBC £17968 All areas – to be agreed across the Strategic Growth Partnerships
Total Funding - £235k
Page 79 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 17 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Health and Community Progress Report: Health and Community Directorate Service Delivery Plan 2020/2021 Author: Director of Health and Community
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 To provide Members with details of the six-month progress (April –September 2020) in terms of delivery of the performance objectives associated with the Service Delivery Plan for the Health and Community Directorate for the year 2020/21.
2 Background
2.1 At the May 2016 meeting of the Governance & Strategic Planning Committee (GSP117/16), Members endorsed the hierarchy of plans and reporting mechanisms that constitute the Council’s corporate planning, improvement and performance review framework.
2.2 This framework highlighted that the Inclusive Growth Plan 2017-2032 represented the highest level plan and that this strategy (which is supported by local community plans) recognises that community planning is about people and organisations working together to improve services and to bring about sustainable improvements in the quality of life of local citizens, businesses and other stakeholders.
2.3 From a Council perspective, delivery of the vision and objectives set out in the Strategic Community Plan will be supported through the expression of objectives, priorities and actions in the Corporate Plan of Derry City and Strabane District Council and in the Annual Directorate Delivery Plans.
2.4 The Council is also required each year to prepare an Improvement Plan containing improvement objectives, and must monitor its performance and publicise this information.
2.5 In addition to these corporate management plans, plans will also continue to be developed in relation to thematic/service specific issues.
2.6 The planning and improvement framework set out above comprising the Inclusive Strategic Growth Plan (and local community plans), corporate plan, performance improvement plan and directorate plans is augmented by a performance review framework which includes:
Page 81 At a district wide level – a two yearly Area Performance Report which measures the district’s performance against the shared outcomes set out in the Inclusive Strategic Growth Plan At a Council level, an Annual Performance Report which sets out what we have achieved in the previous year and how we have met our performance improvement duty. At a directorate level, six monthly progress reports and directorate service delivery plans provide information on how we are performing.
3 Key Issues
3.1 The Annual Performance Report is a statutory requirement under the Local Government (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 and must be published by 30 September each year. Within this document, information is provided in respect of progress in delivering the four Directorate Delivery Plans, the Improvement Plan objectives and the Corporate Plan. The Annual Performance Report 2019/20 was endorsed at the September GSP Committee (GSP120/20).
3.2 The Health & Community Annual Service Delivery Plan 2020/21 was endorsed at the March meeting of this Committee (HC73/20).
3.3 The report set out at Appendix 1 provides Elected Members with details of progress specifically in relation to the delivery of actions identified in the Directorate Service Delivery Plan 2020/21 for the Health & Community Directorate.
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications
4.1 The arrangements for planning, improvement and performance review identified will facilitate the delivery of key corporate objectives, compliance with the performance improvement duty, and in providing Elected Members and other stakeholders with information on performance.
5 Recommendations
5.1 That subject to Members’ comments, that Members endorse the progress report set out in Appendix 1.
Background Papers Appendix 1: Health & Community Directorate six monthly Progress Report 2020/21 Mins Refs: GSP117/16; GSP120/20; HC73/20
Page 82 Appendix 1 Health and Community Directorate Six Monthly Progress 2020/21 - Performance Objectives
The delivery of services within the Health and community Directorate over the six monthly period April - September 2020 has been impacted on significantly by the issues, challenges and not least restrictions arising from the Covid pandemic. Resultantly, services have been required to reshape delivery in response to both community and service user needs. This appendix has been prepared to appraise members of the approaches taken and how performance against objectives has been undertaken during this time.
Leisure and Sports Services
The emergence of the pandemic resulted in the closure of Leisure Centres and restrictions on sports development activity from mid-March until a phased reopening of facilities and activities was introduced in August 2020. Initially, tier one Centres: Foyle Arena, Riversdale Leisure Centre and Templemore Sports Complex and to enhance rural provision Derg Valley Leisure Centre reopened, along with outdoor facilities and a small scale a summer sports programme. This reopening phase required significant updates of risk assessments, safe systems of work, member communication and support for clubs and user groups returning to sport in Council facilities. Initially centres reopened with gyms and fitness classes and outdoor sports activities, although each of these were limited by regulations. User visits equated 15,391 only some 1.4% of projected user visit uptake for this period.
In tandem financial impact, although recoverable through the Scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance (SEFA), was significant with income to centres and sports development programmes significantly reduced due to centre closures and limited face to face programme delivery.
However, positively in terms of impact and benefit to users, a number of programmes which support the delivery of the service Performance ‘To assist develop healthy lifestyles through increased participation in high quality leisure and sports activities (HC1)’ are detailed below:
On Line delivery - Increased online interaction through platforms has been successful during this period, with for example, fitness classes being broadcast on social media channels. Total views in excess of 229,000 were achieved and these classes can be viewed via Council’s YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvwzk6TIIcMu2k7e5dh9aOdMhWIGBo991 1 Page 83
The performance objective of ‘Improving health and wellbeing in targeted and underrepresented groups to lead full and active lives and improving participation rates for those living in deprived areas’, has seen continued delivery:
Everybody Active Programme: Some 4,500 participants have engaged in the EBA 2020 programme with 35% of target participation achieved:
2,800 female participants 150 participants with a disability 2,550 participants from within areas of high social need
MacMillan Move More Programme – 40 participants engaged in the programme equating 40% of targeted reach. A hybrid model of online delivery of classes, quizzes and social events was undertaken in addition to a weekly walking group and drive thru coffee morning.
Queens University undertook research on the Move More NI Programme across all NI Council areas and how he pandemic has affected participants of the programme in terms of exercise levels have been affected and how effective the hybrid model has been. A snapshot of some of these results are as follows:
Table 1 – Exercise levels pre Covid-19 compared to during current restrictions
Physical activity level prior to Physical activity level during COVID-19 restrictions COVID-19 restrictions No. of % No. of participants % participants Not regularly active 15 4 77 21
1 – 2 days / week 99 27 87 23
3 – 4 days / week 137 36 101 27
5 – 6 days / week 65 17 47 12
Everyday 61 16 64 17
2 Page 84
Table 2 Current Digital Technology Use to Undertake Physical Activity
Digital technology No of participants Device Smart phone 71 PC / laptop 28 Tablet (i.e. iPad) 52 Smart watch 9 Smart television 11 Fitbit 24 Application / software Zoom 60 Facebook 9 YouTube 50 WhatsApp 20 Mobile apps (e.g. Strava) 14 Microsoft Teams 1 Internet 26 DVD 1
There was widespread recognition that the MMNI programme were providing options for service users to engage in physical activity / exercise, with most participants (n =263, 70%) happy with Macmillan’s proactive response to initial and ongoing restrictions.
Physical Activity Referral scheme - 110 participants engaged in the Physical Activity Programme, equating 20% of target reach. A hybrid delivery model of online consultation and classes and delivery in centre gym areas was undertaken.
Sports Development - delivered a range of programmes during lockdown through virtual initiatives:
Family Fun Run – a virtual training programme engaging over 3,000 participants of all ages Road to Running 5k & 8k Challenge - Virtual training programme with over 500 participants of all ages across DCSDC area Range of summer camps held in community and rural settings, catering for children and disability camps. A range of activities delivered including, sports, inclusive cycling, boccia etc.
3 Page 85 High social media coverage of events with participants given opportunity to submit images and videos of challenges being completed.
In support of the performance Improvement objective to Maintain current high levels of customer satisfaction/net promoter score, due to staff furlough and centre closures planned mystery visits have been rescheduled and Customer satisfaction surveys will be completed in Quarter 4.
Collaborative working with statutory organisations including the Western Trust and Public Health Agency through the facilitation of Covid-19 mobile testing units at Melvin Sports Complex and Templemore Sports Complex and the school immunisation programme was also facilitated at Foyle Arena and Melvin Sports Complex.
4 Page 86 Community Development
Delivery within the community support and good relations team against performance objectives is detailed below: To increase participation in local planning, engagement and communication processes by developing collaborative approaches. To create opportunities to improve, extend and maximise access to facilities and services which deliver increased safety and cohesion within the community. Establish innovative practices which develop more sustainable rural communities and increase the capacity to engage rural, disengaged and excluded communities.
The community development team has been involved in the Covid-19 response in partnership with local growth partnerships and community organisations. A range of grants have been distributed in the following areas to fund a range of activities:
March 2020 Community Resilience Plans for Each DEA – Delivered through the Local Growth Partnerships 8 x £27k provided to each partnership
Examples of Activities Publicity Campaigns – COVID 19 Public Health Message including Billboards/Leaflets Food Support PPE equipment Volunteer expenses Activity Packs for Older People Isolating/Children with additional needs etc. Good Morning /Befriending Services
Bank of Volunteers Recruited and Trained Moor – 130 Volunteers Foyleside – 55 Volunteers Ballyarnett – 50 Volunteers Waterside – 60 Volunteers Strabane Town – 200 Volunteers
5 Page 87 Advice Services Additional funding to Advice Services - £45k to provide additional Welfare Advice, Debt Advice etc. Advance Funding of £206,323 paid to Advice Services Providers
Support for Community Groups Venues Fund – 22 Venues provided with £215.500 with £102.875 paid in advance to support cashflow Community Support Fund – 85 community organisations provided with £315,713.74 with 50% paid in advance Acorn Fund - £50k provided to Community Foundation for Emergency Response Fund
Access to Food Programme Partnership with 8 Growth Partnerships and Food Banks/Social Supermarkets Funding £82,944 Food Poverty/Food Insecurity Partnerships will provide local knowledge and complete referrals Food Banks work with Fareshare to provide Food
Financial Inclusion Fund Partnership with 8 Growth Partnerships and Advice Agencies Funding £80,085 Advice Agencies to provide 20 staff working additional hours Mon – Thurs evenings and Sat mornings Will work with local partnerships to provide support locally especially in Rural isolated areas Advice including – Welfare Benefits/Debt/Budgeting/Workers Rights etc. Strong advertising campaign including leaflet to every door/billboards etc.
Good Relations A total of 68 applications were received under the Good Relations Programme. 49 passed the threshold awarding £178,893.00.
6 Page 88 As this grant aid was allocated by DEA, certain areas were oversubscribed and the budget was exhausted. Applications that had passed the threshold were not funded. Surplus money will remain in the DEA with officers working with groups to develop good relations projects. Good Relations Week happened from 14th to 21st September. This year most of the events were held virtually with over 25 community groups across the city and district taking part. This included origami workshops, Chinese lantern making works shops, a documentary about how the BAME community (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) has settled within our community and much more. This new way of delivering Good Relations week was innovative and seem to reach a wider audience.
PCSP Update Meeting of the Community based forums were halted to comply with Covid- 19 restrictions. PCSP staff and Community Safety Wardens are now attending virtual meetings of the Community Safety Forums/Teams (Triax, Outer North, Outer West, Waterside, Top of the Hill and Strathfoyle/Maydown & St Columb’s Park) PCSP Action Plan for 2020/21 approved by the Joint Committee (Department of Justice and NI Policing Board) with Letter of Offer for £459,496 issued on 30th April. PCSP agreed to provide £209,530 of Small Project Support to 32 projects across the Council area
7 Page 89 Environmental Health Update
Delivery within Environmental Health has ensured the ongoing roll out of statutory functions alongside addressing the increasing demands and responses of regulatory requirements in a pandemic environment:
Promote health, safety and well-being, and safeguard the environment by supporting communities and businesses through education and enforcement
Continue to promote/support and participate in range of health and wellbeing initiatives linked to collaborative actions identified within the Strategic Growth Plan (2017-2032), Health 2020 and the Making Life Better Strategy (2013-2023)
Home Safety service delivery model adapted to virtual/phone call assessments due to Covid-19. Unable to meet PHA contract requirements for assessments due to 1 FTE vacant post not being filled. Smoke Free/Tobacco Control PHA contract in place. Ability to undertake monitoring visits prohibited due to Covid-19 restrictions. Contract targets are therefore behind schedule at end of Q2. PHA Home Safety & Age Friendly Contracts in place. 100% compliant with DfC Affordable Warmth targets, ongoing referrals to NISEP, NIHE Energy Advice Line, Boiler Replacement Allowance. WHO Steering Group in place PLIG/WDACT meetings attended Pilot CCIS service in place until 31/3/2021 Numerous health & wellbeing messages promoted via council website and social media channels Support the continued delivery of the Community Crisis Intervention Service and liaise with Government Departments and partner agencies to help sustain the service going forward. Support the local economy and businesses through clear advice, guidance & good regulation. Work with stakeholders to monitor, manage and improve Local Air Quality working towards meeting national air quality objectives and the Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government indicator on air quality
8 Page 90 DCSDC Age Friendly Strategy 2016-2021 Update Age Friendly Coordinator commenced employment on 01 April 2020 with work plan developed. £45k PHA funding in place with an additional £5k secured in Quarter 2 to assist with development of 3-year Age Friendly Strategy and Action Plan. Input to NIHE Housing Strategy for Older People. Monitoring return sent to PHA outlining all actions taken to comply with PHA contract Ongoing engagement with PHA regarding future Age Friendly delivery model (local and regional). Age Friendly targets included in Local Growth/Community Plans and Strategic Growth Plan.
Crisis Intervention Service Funding for the Pilot Community Crisis Intervention Service was due to end on 30th June 2020 however through Council liaising with government departments and other agencies a further £92K was secured from the Department of Health to enable the service to continue beyond March 2021
A summary of delivery under the Health Protection restrictions regulations is outlined below:
9 Page 91
Name of Council: DERRY CITY AND STRABANE DISTRICT COUNCIL Date Statistics for period 1.5.20 – 01.11.20 If Nil Response please place an ☐ ‘X’ No of requests for 618 (in addition to 102 relating generally to H&S) advice/Complaints 517 No of visits Advice provided with all of the above and below No of Verbal warnings/advice 1,970 No of letters/emails 0 No of Prohibition Notices 0 No of FPNS Additional Action not included Sector specific written advice on Covid19 Restrictions provided above to:
Residential care homes Motor Factors Hotels Garden Centres Golf Clubs Undertakers Car Dealerships Hotels - Legionella Restaurants/Cafes Pubs/Bars Licensed premises Close contact services Gyms Community Centres Updated guidance to the hospitality sector Hotels - Updated guidance on weddings Licensed premises Soft Play Localised restrictions guidance Food Manufacturers Takeaways The above included information on Localised Restrictions within the DCSDC, as required. Proactive phone calls to provide sector specific verbal advice:
176 regarding localised restrictions with the DCSDC area (plus
10 Page 92 812 general, where the majority would have included an element of Covid19 related information) Joint PSNI / Council visits to licensed premises Daily system in place for joint liaison via email updates
Appendix compiled by Rachel McCay Leisure Quality Assurance Officer
11 Page 93 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 18
Title of Report: Officer presenting:
Correspondence Director of Health and Community
Authors:
Director of Health and Community
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 That Members note the contents of this report.
2 Background
2.1 Council is in receipt of correspondence, the details of which are set out in Appendix 1.
3 Recommendations
3.1 That Members note the contents of this report.
Background Papers
Appendix 1: Correspondence List
Page 95 This page is intentionally left blank APPENDIX 1 Health & Community Committee – 10 December 2020
Correspondence List Correspondence Subject From Royal Mail Response to correspondence sent on behalf of Health & Community Committee re. Castlederg Sorting Office (27 October 2020) Appendix A
Follow up response (2 November 2020) Appendix B
*Please note that there has been other correspondence requested and sent via Council meetings Supporting E-Zine Leaflet including information on Best Practice from the Communities Community Sector; Funding and Training Updates; Policy Developments in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Republic of Ireland (18 November 2020)
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55c8a600e4b0f16d8cbf82 b1/t/5fb53e611de71349de277a86/1605713545365/E- zine+154th+Ed+-+18th+Nov+2020.pdf
Education EA Equality Counts Newsletter Authority Appendix C
Page 97 This page is intentionally left blank Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 This page is intentionally left blank 4 - November 2020
This Christmas will be different for most people and this is the first Christmas we have experienced with such limited options to interact socially. Normally Christmas allows colleagues time to get together and reflect on their year. The Equality team are using the fact that a normal Christmas lunch won’t be possible to get together another way. The team are volunteering a Friday night with The People’s Kitchen to feed the homeless.
The People’s Kitchen has been supporting the homeless and disadvantaged in the Newcastle area since 1985. Spurred on by an article about the death of a homeless man, Alison Kay (then in her 70s) decided to set up an organisation to support those in need. Within a year, Alison had 40 helpers, and they inaugurated the first People’s Kitchen next to the railway arches by Dean Street, offering food, clothes, a warm fire and welcome to anyone who came in peace. Another change of plan this year, which our colleagues in Health and Wellbeing is the Christmas Family Appeal. This year the EA are only taking online cash donations as opposed to usual toy and/or food drives. Our support for this Appeal is needed every year, but this year when there are so many additional families who have fallen on hard times due to the impact of COVID-19, it is especially important.
Although many new challenges have come our way the Equality Team have been providing a high level of support across all our service areas and supporting schools, in order to support equality of opportunity and better outcomes for children and young people.
I hope you are all staying safe and enjoy the updates.
Matthew McDermott Head of Equality & Diversity
Staffing Update
You name it, I’ve done it for the Education Authority: Free School Meals returns, accounts for Cleaning, helpdesk for Grounds Maintenance, service with a smile at Reception, sorting post for Registry, posting jobs for Recruitment, heck I Sarah Grehan – Business Support Officer was even an English teacher for a cup of coffee or two.
Paul McNamee - I am now delighted to join Equal Opportunities I’ve been firmly rooted in HR since 2018 and I’m the Equal Opportunities delighted to Team and assist in Lead have joined the fledgling Equal Opportunities division of the collection of equality Equality and Diversity Unit where I’m responsible for the related data and statutory management of data capture and policy implementation reporting for the to help ensure equality of opportunity for absolutely organisation. everyone. Like everyone in the team, I look forward to I moved to Toronto for 5 years after proving just how valuable we can be as we bring the EA graduating from University of Ulster, into the twenties. returning home in 2016. I then worked at Queen’s University for 3 years in administrative roles in an educational Marjory Cook – Equal Opportunities Officer environment.
I have worked for the Education Authority for over 36 I was hired in EA to be a personal assistant to years. Working in EA Human Resources since 1998, two assistant directors and joined the primarily in Management Support and Recruitment. Equality team in March 2020 just as COVID- Prior to this I had worked in the NEELB Library Service Page 103 for over 12 years. 19 moved us all from the office to the home office! Equality team on 028 9056 4213 or [email protected] I joined the team when the previous Business Support Officer moved on in EA. I am responsible for managing the sign language provision for schools, co- ordinating Irish language translations across EA, being the first www.StenoHealth.com/Virtual-Carepoint of contact via email or phone for Staff Networks the Equality and Diversity Unit and supporting the team with a range of InterprerterNow business tasks. Special Needs Schools Visits The provision of sign language interpreting services for the deaf and sign language using Oliver McMullan, EA Board Member and Disability Champion has community, (particularly for parents of young undertaken a series of engagement sessions with key stakeholders with an people in schools) was under review. interest in Special Educational Needs. He has engaged with Statutory However this process was accelerated when Agencies, the Community and COVID-19 struck. Voluntary Sector and is now engaging with Special Needs Schools; to hear their views and thoughts on how EA can improve the delivery of Special Our need to enhance our service and make Educational Needs Services. Oliver will continue to meet schools and plans ourselves more accessible was of great to meet parents and young people too, when it is safe to do so. importance which is why the Education Authority is thrilled to announce that InterpreterNow will now be available to the Deaf and sign language using community in Northern Ireland.
For information on how the service works, please view the content on our Contact Us page.
Oliver McMullan, EA Board Member and Disability Champion, visited Castle Tower Special School to meet with Principal Raymond McFeeters and Alick Ford, School Leader, to discuss SEN and hear about the school’s experience of educating young people through COVID. This visit is part of a series of visits Oliver is planning with Special Schools. For any further information please feel free to contact the We look forward to continuing to raise awareness and expand our reach with our staff networks; EA LINK (disability and carers) and GLEAM (LGBTQ+) staff networks.
This year GLEAM have undertaken awareness raising by developing an animation on LGBTQ+ experiences in the workplace. In order to make EA a great place to work no one should have to edit themselves to come to work.
GLEAM also took part in the virtual PRIDE parade and this video can be found online HERE.
Lunch and Learn
EA Link (the Disability and Carers Staff Network) are hosting a lunch and learn session for staff on 3 Dec 2020 for International Day of Persons with a Disability and continue to provide a supportive function for members. The Forum recently met to devise a new Annual Work Plan and elect a new chair and vice chair.
EA Gender Action Plan (2019-21)
Int Women's Day (08/03/20) This year, just before lock down, we celebrated International Women's Day with some workshops for staff to ask their opinion on what they would like to see included in a workplace menopause policy. A survey was also sent to all staff.
Int Men’s Day (19/11/20) As part of the Gender Action Plan commitment to celebrate key dates the Equality Team linked with the Health and Wellbeing Team to mark International Men's Day on 19th November. A Men's Cancer Workshop was arranged and information was sent out on many aspects of men’s physical and mental health through the ‘HealthWell’ Hub. A leaflet on the Andropause was also sent out.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cathy Lavery for her service within EA and her dedication to Equality
Page 104 work. We wish her all the best in her new role as Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
Page 105 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 19 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Health and Community Consultation List Author: Director of Health and Community
1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations
1.1 To advise Members of consultation documents received by Council and for Members to note these for information.
2 Background
2.1 Council is in receipt of consultation documents from various external bodies, details of which including the final date for responses are provided in Appendix 1.
3 Key Issues
3.1 Further consideration, including responses to any of the consultations can be undertaken at Members’ request.
4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications
4.1 There are no financial or other implications for Council at this time.
5 Recommendations
5.1 That Members note the contents of this report.
Background Papers
Appendix 1: Consultation List
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Health & Community Committee – 10 December 2020
Consultation List
Name of Consulting Title of Consultation Details/Response Date Organisation or Government Department
Department of A Clean Air Strategy Closes: 15 February 2021 Agriculture, for Northern Ireland – DAERA has launched a Discussion Document Environment and Rural Public Discussion in advance of developing the first Clean Air Affairs (DAERA) Document Strategy for Northern Ireland.
https://www.daera- ni.gov.uk/clean_air_strategy_discussion_docu ment
Department of Health Making Life Better: Closes: 5 February 2021 Preventing Harm & The Department of Health is responsible for Empowering leading and co-ordinating action on Recovery: A Strategic Northern Ireland’s new substance use Framework to Tackle strategy. the Harm from Substance Use https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/SUS- consultation
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