Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were received.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor V. Diouf.

a)   Progress Report of the Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy on the implementation of Scrutiny Committee Recommendations regarding Parking Policy - 5.05pm

b)   Progress Report of the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing on the implementation of Scrutiny Committee Recommendations regarding

i.     Parks and Open Spaces Strategy  - 5.20pm

ii.      Hackney Carriage Licence Limit - 5.35pm

iii.    Sports Facilities Strategy and Playing Pitches Strategy – 5.50pm

c)   Water Rates Payment Policy – 5.55pm

Hackney Carriage Licence Limit

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and the Licensing manager presented the progress monitoring report on the Hackney Carriage Licence Limit.

The Licensing Manager advised the Committee that, in 2011, the Council had set a cap on the number of hackney carriage licences at 110, however 150 licences were still held. The Licensing Manager explained that the Council had limited powers to reduce this number further. Legislation that had been proposed to prevent the transfer of hackney carriage licences had not been supported by the government. The number of these licences could only be reduced should a driver voluntarily give up their licence or by a licence being revoked for breach of conditions.

The hackney carriage licence limit was due to be reviewed in 2016. The Licensing Manager explained the procedure that the review would follow, including the carrying out of a survey to assess whether there was unmet demand for hackney carriage services in the Borough.

Members commented that it was disappointing that the proposed legislation preventing the transfer of licences had not been brought in. The Committee requested that a further report be provided in July 2016 setting out how the review would be undertaken, including the specifications for the survey.

Parking Policy

The Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy, the Assistant Cabinet Member, the Cultural and Visitor Services Manager and the Parking and CCTV Manager presented the progress monitoring report on the parking policy.

The Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy advised the Committee that some improvements had been made in the town centre car parks, which were outlined in the report, and free parking for residents of the Borough had been extended, however a longer term plan was being prepared for investment in the town centre car parks.

The Cultural and Visitor Services Manager explained the circumstances that had affected the delivery and implementation of the recommendations in respect of the parking policy that had previously made by the Committee and approved by Cabinet in 2013. Further proposals for the implementation of the parking policy were also outlined.

Following consultation with the Highways Authority, it had become clear that the introduction of barrier ticket systems at more of the town centre car parks would not be feasible for financial and logistical reasons.

Circumstances with regards to Beetwell Street and Saltergate multi-storey car parks had changed since 2013 as the proposals for the development of the Northern Gateway were now likely to be leisure led rather than retail based.  A full options appraisal for Saltergate multi storey car park had been commissioned and a report with fully costed proposals for the regeneration of the car park was being prepared. This report was to inform the decision making on the level of investment required at both multi-storey car parks.

Members asked whether the stairwells in the Saltergate multi-storey car park were part of the regeneration proposals as they were perceived as being dark and unsafe. The Parking and CCTV  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

6.00pm

·        Leisure, Sport and Cultural Activities

Consideration of the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum recommendation that the Committee reviews the scope of this project group

·        Community Sport and Physical Activity Strategy

Following the recommendation of the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum, the Committee agreed that the scope of the Leisure, Sport and Culture Activities Scrutiny Project Group needed to be reviewed.

The Chair, as Leader of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Strategy Scrutiny Project Group, provided the Committee with an update on its progress. The Project Group had met with the Sports and Leisure Manager and following the review of the scope of the Leisure, Sport and Culture Activities Scrutiny Project Group, they would plan the work that could be achieved by the end of the year.

RESOLVED –

1)           That the Leisure, Sport and Culture Activities Scrutiny Project Group scoping document be reviewed.

2)           That the update on the work of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Strategy Scrutiny Project Group be noted.

6.10pm

The Forward Plan and Notices of Urgent Decisions were considered.

RESOLVED -

That the Forward Plan and Notices of Urgent Decisions be noted.

6.20pm

The Chair advised that the Annual Report from the Director for Public Health would be useful for the Committee to consider in relation to health and wellbeing issues related to the Committee’s work. The Policy and Scrutiny Officer added that a lot of the services provided by the Borough Council have an impact on the health and wellbeing of residents and this is relevant to the work of the councils scrutiny committees.

The Policy and Scrutiny Officer advised the Committee that a report on Stage 2 of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Review was due to be taken to the next meeting of the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum.

RESOLVED –

That the updates be noted and the contents of the Health Annual Report be taken into consideration in undertaking the committee’s work.

6.25pm

Consideration of appointment of Project Groups regarding:

·        the development of the Town Centre (Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum Recommendation)

·        the supply and quality of housing in the Borough (Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum Recommendation)

The Committee considered its Work Programme.

The Committee agreed that a report on the impact of the Summer Budget on the Housing Service, which had been scheduled for this meeting, be brought to the next meeting of the Committee. It was agreed that the report would include statements issued by the Chancellor since the summer budget, including the autumn statement. 

The Committee also agreed that a report on the maintenance of footpaths and pavements, which had been scheduled for this meeting, be brought to the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee discussed the recommendations from the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum (Minute No. 61 (2014/15)), for the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee to consider appointing project groups in relation to developing the town centre, and increasing the supply and quality of housing in the Borough. It was agreed that these be considered at the next meeting in December.

Members also agreed that the items pending reschedule or removal on the Work Programme be considered again at the next meeting.

RESOLVED –

1)           That the Work Programme be agreed.

2)           That a report on the maintenance of pavements and footpaths be added to the agenda for the next Committee meeting.

3)           That a report on the impact of the Summer Budget on the Housing Service be added to the agenda for the next Committee meeting.

4)           That the recommendations for the appointment of project groups in relation to developing the town centre, and increasing the supply and quality of housing in the Borough be considered at the next meeting.

5)           That it be considered at the next meeting whether to reschedule or remove the items pending on the Work Programme.

6.35pm

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 July, 2015 were presented.

RESOLVED –

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