Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G Baxter MBE, C Lacey, S Clough and P Windley.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 23 July 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 23 July 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair.

Council Plan Targets Performance Update.

Kath Drury, Information & Improvement Manager/Amar Bashir, Improvement Officer

With the agreement of the Chair Item 6, Performance Management, was taken next.

The Improvement Officer presented a report to the Committee summarising progress on the strategies underpinning the Council Plan objective ‘A great place to live well’ for the period ending 30^th June 2025.

Committee considered the report. Some Members had questions related to the rise in anti-social behaviour referenced in the report. Members heard that it had not been a significant rise but the difficulties of dealing with anti-social behaviour were shared. In this context, it was highlighted that Council worked well with external partners such as the Police.

RESOLVED –

That progress against the Council Plan “A great place to live well” objective was noted.

To receive an overview of homelessness including rough sleeping/Right to Remain.

Lee Pepper, Assistant Director of Communities/Gary Smithurst, Housing Strategy & Homeless Manager

Committee received a presentation that gave an overview of how the Council deals with homelessness. The presentation included the key figures underlining homelessness in the District, an explanation of the national legislation on homelessness, an overview of the most effective means of help, areas that need to be improvedand the strengths of the NEDDC Homelessness Team. The presentation also included information on asylum resettlement in North East Derbyshire.

Committee considered the presentation. Some Members had questions relating to the P3 mental health service. Members received details of how the Service Level Agreement works and heard there was a god working relationship with P3.

With the agreement of the Chair, Councillor Stephen Reed, sitting as a member of the public, was invited to ask a question of Officers present at the meeting. Councillor S Reed had questions pertaining to the impacts of the private rental market and houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) on homelessness. Committee heard that HMO’s pose a national problem, but this was reduced within North East Derbyshire and the reasons for this were shared. Committee heard that there were tools available, and a plan would be made in relation to HMOs but this would be moderated compared to the national approach.

Some Members had further questions around the role of the private sector in combatting homelessness. Committee heard that a Private Sector Officer was going to be employed to help find suitable properties and landlords. In this context, Committee discussed how housing need impacts homelessness in the District and it was highlighted that this would be picked up as part of the new Local Plan.

Some Members had questions relating to the statistics on the usage of bed and breakfasts in combatting homelessness. Committee heard that NEDDC’s statistics compared favourably to Authorities across the Country and the reasons for this were shared.

Some Members had questions surrounding the work that goes on with external partners in finding support for individuals presenting with health issues. Committee received details of the collaboration that goes on with partners in the health sector. The role of the Council as a conduit to the right services was highlighted and Committee discussed how the service can be improved.

Officers were thanked for their efforts in making the NEDDC Homelessness Team one of the most effective in the Country.

RESOLVED –

That the presentation was noted.

Update on the Local Plan.

David Thompson, Assistant Director of Planning

Committee received a presentation updating them on the new Local Plan for North East Derbyshire. The presentation gave an overview of the ongoing work around the creation of a new Local Plan. This included the establishment of an evidence base, the first round of the call for sites process and the consultations that had taken place. The presentation also included the priorities for the next few months and detailed the timeline for further consultation.

Committee also received an overview of the issues pertinent to Communities Scrutiny Committee. This included improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure, sport, recreation and open space standards, the range of accommodation types and affordable housing mix, and a planning enforcement capacity update.

RESOLVED –

That the presentation was noted.

To inform Committee of recent and forthcoming Cabinet business.

A digest of Cabinet decisions taken since May 2025.  This information is published by Cabinet meeting on the Council’s website.  Cabinet Agendas, Decisions and Minutes can be viewed at: Cabinet

The Forward Plan of Executive decisions.

Plans

These plans are updated to include new business.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented Members with the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions for the period up to 15 September 2025.

RESOLVED –

That the update was noted.

To contribute to major Policies being considered by the Council.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer informed the Committee that there were no major policies for Members to consider.

RESOLVED –

That the update was noted.

To consider and contribute to potential changes in the operating environment which may include legislation, regulation and key projects being undertaken by the Council, for example.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer updated Members on potential significant changes in the Council’s operating environment, including changes to national legislation and regulation.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer explained that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) remained on the radar.

RESOLVED –

That the update was noted.

To consider the Committee’s Work Programme.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented the draft Work Programme 2025/26 for the Committee to consider.

Committee considered the draft Work Programme and Members discussed potential topics that could be added to it.

RESOLVED –

1. That the Work Programme 2024/25 be approved.

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the Committee is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

None.

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on 19 November 2025 at 10.00 am.

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to take place on 19 November 2025 at 10.00 am.