Agenda item

6.05pm

Consideration of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee Recommendation to look at the cleaning of pavements.

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.

Councillor Simmons presented the recommendation of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee that the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee consider the issue of the maintenance of footpaths and pavements. Members discussed that there were a lot of concerns over litter, over-grown vegetation and general deterioration in standards with pavements and footpaths around the Borough. It was commented that the staff employed as Pavement Sweepers only sweep channels and roadways, rather than pavements.

It was agreed that the Committee needed more information on this subject and that a report would be requested to be brought to the next meeting covering the following matters:

·        Where does the responsibility lie for the maintenance of different types of pavements and footpaths?

·        Who should be contacted with concerns about pavements and footpaths?

·        What are the current plans or protocols for the maintenance of footpaths and pavements within the Borough?

·        What budget does Chesterfield Borough Council have for maintaining footpaths and pavements?

·        What powers does the Council have to ensure footpaths or pavements on private land are maintained where there is a public right of way over that land?

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 Councillor Perkins, who had offered to lead a review on the development of the town centre, would bring some proposals for a project group to the next meeting of this Committee.

It was agreed that a briefing note would be circulated to the Committee members on the issue of the supply of housing in the Borough to inform a further consideration of this matter at the next meeting.

The Committee considered the matters pending reschedule or removal on the work programme. It was requested that an update report be circulated to Members of the Committee by email on the impact of possible County Council funding reductions on housing accommodation and support, and older people services. It was agreed that this item remain on the Work Programme to be reconsidered following receipt of this update report.

Members discussed that the Housing Allocations Policy may have been impacted by the changes to be brought in from the Summer Budget particularly relating to changes around access to housing by younger people.  Members also felt that the wider impact of the Summer Budget on the housing service needed to be considered. Members requested that a report on the impact of the Summer Budget on the housing service be brought to the next meeting of this Committee, and the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Service Manager be invited, if a report would be available by that time.

It was agreed that the new business item proposed on the tenant consultation survey results be considered later in the year.

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 briefing report on the supply of housing in the Borough be circulated to Members by email for the creation of a project group on this matter to be considered at the next Committee meeting.

5)           That Councillor Perkins shall bring a proposal to the next Committee meeting for a project group on the development of the town centre.

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

7)           That the new business item proposed on the tenant consultation survey results be considered at a future meeting later in the year.