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BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 21 JUNE 2011
PRESENT: Mr J A B Long – Chairman
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Mr P D Burgoyne
Mr B D Hurren
Mr F R Lawrenson
Mr M Newman |
Mrs A M Norman
Mr J M Owen
Mr B Riley
Mr D L Wood |
Mr J R A Sayers was unable to be present.
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1 Substitutes
2 Election of Vice-Chairman
3 Declaration of Interests
4 Minutes
5 Petitions
6 Questions from Members
7 Review of Long Stay Car Parking Charges in Sudbury and Hadleigh
8 Babergh Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Annual Review
9 Annual Report of Development Committee for 2010/2011
10 Babergh District Council District Emergency Preparedness Forum - Progress Report
11 Flood Risk Regulations (2009) - Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments
12 Update on Suffolk County Council Health Scrutiny Arrangements
13 Work Plan
It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 5, a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mr B Riley (substituting for Mr J R A Sayers).
RESOLVED
That Mr B D Hurren be elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.
Mr D L Wood declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No 8 below (Babergh Community Safety Partnership Annual Review) by virtue of representing the Suffolk Police Authority on the Partnership, but stated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item.
Mr B D Hurren declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No 9 below because he had attended the Development Committee as a substitute when that Committee considered its Annual Report but stated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2011 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None received.
None received.
The Head of Contract and Asset Management presented Paper L28, a joint report with the Project and Programme Executive, reviewing the operational arrangements for long stay parking charges during the six month period from October 2010 and recommending improvements to the system.
During the course of the discussion on various aspects of the Review, the following were among the responses given to issues raised by Members:-
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The increased data available from the new arrangements shows clear evidence of changes in the usage pattern, with a better ‘churn’ of vehicles.
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Neither the Police nor Suffolk County Council has identified an increase in illegal parking, although it is recognised that there has been some increase in on-street parking.
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Confirmation that the estimates of income take into account all relevant costs.
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Officers administering the charging scheme have tried to address early problems sympathetically and support the proposed changes which they consider will be an improvement.
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Any proposals for the introduction of residents’ parking schemes would be a matter for Suffolk County Council as highway authority.
Recommendations 2.1 and 2.2 in Paper L28 were proposed and seconded, following which an amendment proposing that the Service and Financial Planning Task Group be asked to consider removing the charging regime was moved. The motion did not receive a seconder.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Head of Contract and Asset Management submits a draft car parking amendment order to a future meeting of Strategy Committee to bring into effect the following changes:
(2) That officers maintain regular contact with Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Police in order to monitor on-street parking patterns.
Note: Mr J M Owen abstained from voting on this matter and asked for his abstention to be recorded in the minutes.
Paul Little, Community Safety and Leisure Manager presented Paper L29, a report by the Head of Community Development setting out the Partnership’s activities during 2010/11. Members were aware that Jenny Antill now represents Babergh on the CSP and chairs it, and a second Babergh representative should be appointed to the Partnership at the Council meeting on 27 June.
Inspector Paul Crick, Safer Neighbourhood Teams Inspector for the Babergh area was present at the meeting, and together with Paul Little responded to Members’ questions on various aspects of the report, including the following:-
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The performance of the CCTV system including the mobile unit, and the arrangements for the use and training of volunteers. Visitors to Sudbury Police Station to view the monitoring operation are welcome.
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The night time economy.
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Current situation on the possible use of DPP Orders (Designated Public Protection Orders).
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Domestic abuse – number of incidents is fairly static but there appears to be increased confidence in reporting.
In addition, Paul Little was asked to clarify outside the meeting the response to reduced funding levels of a specific Babergh community grant.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
The Chief Planning Control Officer presented Paper L30, the Annual Report of the Development Committee. In addition to Paper L30, Members had before them an update to the report setting out the matters considered by the Development Committee on 15 June.
Members were asked to adopt the Annual Report as recommended by the Development Committee. During the course of the debate on this item, various matters were raised including the following:-
- The disappointingly low numbers of Parish/Town Council representatives who spoke at Development Committee during 2010/11. The view was expressed that Members might wish to encourage their Parishes to take the opportunity offered by the Council’s policy on public speaking.
- Further information on the operation of the New Homes Bonus payments.
- The extent to which the Building Control Service is able to attract work of a commercial nature.
- The definition of minor and major applications, and the reasons why some applications do not meet target times.
- The effect of vacancy management on delivery.
- Use of consultants which is restricted to specialist advice if not available in-house.
- The effect of home working in rural areas in relation to the balance to be struck with residential amenity.
- Matters relating to the operation of Section 106 Agreements, use of the available monies and the continuing need to encourage Parishes to bring forward qualifying schemes. [Members were subsequently advised that Stewart Schleip, Open Space Manager, can be contacted for advice on eligibility criteria].
RESOLVED
That Paper L30 be noted and adopted as the Annual Report of the Development Committee for 2010/11.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper L31) providing an update on the work undertaken by the Council in respect of the Emergency Planning and Business Continuity functions.
In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that a possible location has now been identified for an aerial for the satellite phone system. Reference was also made to the arrangements for rest centres and the value of Parishes having emergency boxes in strategic locations.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
The Head of Contract and Asset Management submitted a report (Paper L32) setting out the requirements for Babergh in supporting the Suffolk County Council in meeting its obligations under the Flood Risk Regulations (2009). Members noted that Recommendation 2.1 of the report was intended to refer to the level of officer support and was not a recommendation to the Council at this time.
Ms Jane Burch, Flood and Coastal Policy Manager, Suffolk County Council, was present at the meeting and together with Stewart Schleip, Babergh’s Open Space Manager, responded to Members’ questions about various matters, including the respective responsibilities of the various agencies involved.
RESOLVED
That the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Report prepared by Suffolk County Council, as referred to in Paper L32, be noted and Babergh officers support the future development of the County Council’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategies.
The Director of Corporate Services provided an update to Members, who were aware of the background to this matter having been informed at their meeting on 1 February 2011 that the County Council intended to review its new arrangements in operating a single Scrutiny Committee.
The County Council is now establishing a Health Scrutiny Committee in addition to its Scrutiny Committee. The terms of reference and membership of the Committee are being finalised and the new health scrutiny arrangements are intended to complement the (shadow) Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board which is currently being developed. Regard will also be had to any relevant matters arising from the proposals for Commissioning Consortia.
The current position is as follows:-
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At the Annual Council meeting on 19 May, Mrs Mary Munson was appointed to represent Babergh on the Suffolk Scrutiny Committee for health related matters (substitute Member Dr Michael Bamford) and this remains the appointment position at the present time.
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The Director of Corporate Services will report to a future meeting of this Committee once the County health scrutiny arrangements have been finalised.
- Full Council will be asked to confirm any formal appointment under the new arrangements, in due course.
RESOLVED
That the current position be noted.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper L33) which provided details of the Committee’s anticipated work for 2011/12 including any items that may be the subject of call-in procedures. Members were asked to note that, following the Council’s consideration of proposed revisions to the timetable (on 27 June), all Committee Work Plans will be redrafted to take account of changes to Strategy and Council meetings between August and December 2011, as part of the process of realigning key decisions between Mid Suffolk and Babergh.
Members were aware that the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee is trialling an earlier start time for some future meetings and that the results of the trial could be fed back to the Community Services Committee also.
Reference was made to the Review of Community Grants report scheduled for consideration at the July meeting, in the context of the question about the effect of reduced levels of grant funding (Minute No 8 refers).
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
Note: The meeting adjourned for refreshments between 11.10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 1.10 p.m.
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Chairman
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