Agenda and minutes

No declarations were received.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bradford, Callan, Gibson and Lang.

The Sustainability Officer presented a report on the progress made on the implementation of the Allotment Strategy 2012-2016.

There were five objectives which were monitored via an Action Plan:

·        To cultivate the improved management of the Council’s allotment sites

·        To promote allotments as a benefit for the whole community

·        To highlight the role that allotments play in developing a more sustainable environment, encouraging biodiversity and conservation

·        To develop a health agenda for allotments, focusing on benefits, in terms of improving health in the borough

·        To review existing provision of allotments in Chesterfield and to seek to identify area of potential future allotment provision

The Sustainability Officer reported that the majority of the actions had now been implemented and the vast majority of the sites were being managed very well.

Inspections of the allotment sites had taken place in 2014 and there were follow-up visits planned for sites where asbestos had been identified. Members queried whether there was to be a regular schedule of inspections of the asbestos. The Sustainability Officer advised that these visits were follow-ups to the initial inspections to gather accurate information on where asbestos was located and its condition, as required under EU legislation. He advised that asbestos was safe if it was intact and could be left in place or taken, double bagged, to a waste and recycling centre.

A removal service was not offered, however if particular concerns were raised on a site and they had no ability to remove the asbestos themselves, the Council would assist where possible.

The Sustainability Officer also reported that the promotion of the allotments as a benefit to the whole community was being achieved through complimentary initiatives across the Council but a specific action plan for allotments had been delayed during the development of the revised Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.

Members queried whether there were any plans to improve the accessibility of the allotments for people with disabilities. The Sustainability Officer advised that access to all of the sites was deemed adequate during the inspections carried out in 2014. There was no budget to invest in infrastructure improvements at this time, however advice and support was available to the allotment associations for making their own improvements.

It was discussed that the allotment associations were able to access grants and charitable investments and partnered with other community organisations or services, such as the probation service, to advance community involvement.

Members were pleased to note the achievements made in improving biodiversity on allotment sites. The Sustainability Officer advised that Chesterfield Borough Council was recognised nationally for initiatives improving biodiversity and environmental sustainability. He reported that the Council was to host a national bees and pollinators conference, ‘Pollinating the Peaks’, in April 2015 which was already fully booked.

Members agreed that reducing grass cutting on verges surrounding allotments could improve biodiversity, reduce emissions and reduce costs.

Members asked about the policy for keeping chickens on allotments and whether charities or social enterprises could keep chickens as a way to generate income.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

The Scrutiny Project Group Report and Recommendations on dog fouling were presented by Councillor Innes, the Project Group leader.

The review of the Council’s work on dog fouling was proposed after concerns were raised by members of the public through the Community Assemblies.

The Project Group had reviewed the current service provision and its effectiveness along with how the service communicates with local residents. The Group met with the Environmental Health Manager, the Senior Environmental Health Officer, the Dog Control Officer, the Communications and Marketing Manager, the Executive Member and the Assistant Executive Member for Environment and the Assistant Executive Member for Housing.

The Project Group also sought feedback from all Community Assembly members on their views on the issue of dog fouling in their area and the service provided by the Council.

From the review of the service and the responses from Community Assembly members, the Project Group concluded that a good service was offered and the Streetscene officers achieved a lot with limited resource. It was felt that the service could be more effective and have greater impact if the staff resource was increased.

It was recognised in the feedback from members of the public and the experience of the members that the incidents of dog fouling were decreasing however a minority group of persistent offenders still caused problems.

The Project Group looked into the possibility of the Housing Service’s Neighbourhood Wardens taking a greater part in dealing with dog fouling. It was established that Neighbourhood Wardens do have the power to issue fixed penalty notices, but have only done so on rare occasions. It was felt that the local knowledge of Neighbourhood Wardens, who are out in the community on a day-to-day basis, could be utilised in dealing with dog fouling, if extra training and support were provided.

The Project Group also looked at how the issue of dog fouling and the work of the Streetscene service was communicated to the public. The examples of posters and social media campaigns from Bassetlaw District Council were referenced as good ideas. The Project Group had felt shocking posters showing the risks caused by dog fouling were likely to be more upsetting than effective. The more light-hearted posters were proposed as they were eye-catching and memorable. It was also proposed that the Council should refer to the maximum fine amount of £1000 rather than just the fixed penalty of £80 to provide a greater deterrent. An example of one of the signs already used by the Council showing the £1000 amount was provided by the Senior Environmental Health Officer. As the amounts of the fines could change, it was proposed that the maximum fine amount be included on all temporary signs and notices.

The use of social media was also recommended as a way to publicise the good work of the service and raise awareness of the issue.

The Project Group also recommended that the mobile phones used by the enforcement officers be upgraded to be more reliable and offer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

The Committee considered progress with its Scrutiny Project Groups.

Taxi Subsidy

The lead member for the group, Councillor Hawksworth, advised that a scope had not yet been prepared and it was agreed that the project group be discontinued.

Leisure, Sport and Culture Activities

The lead member for the group, Councillor Flood, gave an update on the group’s progress. A scoping document was being prepared for the sub-group on the Sports and Activities Strategy. This Strategy was scheduled to be submitted to Council for approval in December 2015.

The main group had continued to review thenew sport and leisure facilities project at Queen’s Park. Councillor Flood advised that the work was progressing on schedule. The project group was planning to meet with the contractor to consider the costs of the works, including the cost to the Council of the contractor bearing the risks as the project management.

The group was also to meet with the new principal of Chesterfield College to review their commitment to the partnership.

The group would be looking at how to measure the outcomes targeted as part of the investment in new sports facilities.

A written report on the group’s work would be provided at the Committee’s meeting in April 2015.

RESOLVED –

That the Taxi SubsidyProject Group be discontinued.

The Forward Plan was considered. There were no Notices of Urgent Decisions published since the last meeting.

The Fees and Charges for Sport and Leisure (Indoor Facilities) item was queried as to how this related to the reviews carried out by the Leisure, Sport and Cultural Activities Project Group. The Policy and Scrutiny Officer advised that this was a separate report for the annual setting of the fees and charges.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

The Committee considered an update on the implementation of approved Scrutiny recommendations.

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the update be noted.

(2)         That a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Scrutiny Project Group on Leisure, Sport and Culture Activities be added to the agenda for the next Committee meeting.

The Policy and Scrutiny Officer advised that the corporate review of Overview and Scrutiny was progressing well. The first stage was completed and the findings would be reported to the Project Board on 25 February 2015 before the next stage would be started.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

The Committee considered a list of items raised to date for its Work Programme.

The Committee and Scrutiny Coordinator reported that the Housing Services Manager – Customer Division was expecting a report on the outcomes of the consultation on the housing allocations policy to be submitted to Cabinet not before May 2015.

The Housing Services Manager – Customer Division had also advised that the Careline Consortium proposals were still progressing and negotiations were still on-going with Derbyshire County Council and two other district councils.

It was discussed that if a report on the Housing Allocations Policy was to be taken back to Cabinet before the next scheduled meeting of this Committee, a special meeting could be convened or the next scheduled meeting could be rescheduled to an earlier date. 

RESOLVED –

(1)         To confirm that items on the Work Programme be approved subject to agreed changes.

(2)         That the Housing Allocations Policy item be added to the agenda for the next Committee meeting.

(3)         That the Housing Accommodation and Support Budget and Older Peoples Services be added to the agenda for the next Committee meeting.

(4)         That a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Scrutiny Project Group on Leisure, Sport and Culture Activities be added to the agenda for the next Committee meeting.

(5)         That the next interim report of the Scrutiny Project Group on Leisure, Sport and Culture Activities be added to the agenda of the next Committee meeting.

(6)         That the Careline Consortium item be considered in June 2015.

(7)         That the Allotments Strategy be rescheduled for a progress report in 12 months.

(8)         That the Playing Pitch Strategy, Sports Facilities Strategy and the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy items be rescheduled for progress reports on their implementation in 12 months.

(9)         That the Street Scene Improvement Plan be removed from the Work Programme.

(10)     That the Scrutiny Project Group work on dog fouling be concluded and added to the monitoring schedule for progress reports in 12 months.

(11)     That the Scrutiny Project Group on Taxi Subsidy be removed from the Work Programme.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 18 December 2014 were presented.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.