| Time: | 7.30pm | Place: | Council Chamber, Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City |
| PRESENT: | Councillor Cathryn Henry (Chairman), Councillor Steve Hemingway (Vice-Chairman), Councillor Clare Billing, Councillor Bill Davidson, Councillor Jean Green, Councillor Sal Jarvis, Councillor David Leal - Bennett, Councillor Ian Mantle (Substitute), Councillor Paul Marment, Councillor Gerald Morris, Councillor Janine Paterson and Councillor Deborah Segalini. |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Chief Inspector Julie Wheatley (Hertfordshire Constabulary), Sergeant Alan Clarke (Hertfordshire Constabulary), Councillor Jane Gray (Executive Member for Leisure), John Robinson (Strategic Director of Customer Services), Vaughan Watson (Head of Leisure and Environmental Services), Peter Carey (Environmental Health Manager), James Ellis (Advisory and Litigation Lawyer), Fiona Timms (Performance and Risk Manager), Steve Geach (Parks and Countryside Development Manager), Brendan Sullivan (Scrutiny Officer) and Hilary Dineen (Committee and Member Services Officer). |
| ALSO PRESENT: | At the commencement of the meeting one member of the public. |
| Meeting attachments |
Agenda Front Sheet Audio Recording of Meeting |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
| PART I | ||||
| 60 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ben Lewis and Frank Radcliffe. Having given due notice, Councillor Ian Mantle advised that he would be substituting for Councillor Frank Radcliffe. |
Noted | ||
| 61 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 September 2015 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 62 |
NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS No other business was submitted for consideration by the Committee. |
Noted | ||
| 63 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman reminded those present that, in line with Council policy, the meeting would be audio recorded; (2) The Chairman welcomed Chief Inspector Julie Wheatley and Sergeant Alan Clarke of Hertfordshire Constabulary and Councillor Jane Gray (Executive Member for Leisure) to the meeting; (3) Members were reminded that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and are required to notify the Chairman of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda. Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring a Declarable Interest which requires they leave the room under Paragraph 7.4 of the Code of Conduct, can speak on the item, but must leave the room before the debate and vote. |
Noted | ||
| 64 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There were no presentations from members of the public. |
Noted | ||
| 65 |
URGENT/GENERAL EXCEPTION ITEMS No urgent or general exception items were received. |
Noted | ||
| 66 |
CALLED IN ITEMS Since the last meeting, no decisions had been called-in by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. |
Noted | ||
| 67 |
PRESENTATION BY HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY Chief Inspector Julie Wheatley thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and introduced Sergeant Alan Clarke. She gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the work of and issues facing Hertfordshire Constabulary in North Hertfordshire as follows: She reminded Members that she had given a presentation to this Committee last year and that Hertfordshire Constabulary was in a good position as that time and the story remained the same. FINANCE PROGRAMME 2020 Hertfordshire Constabulary had done well regarding financial accounting and had accumulated £35 million pounds of gross savings in the three years up to March 2015. As a result they would need to find 12 - 15 percent of savings rather than the 20 - 40 percent expected from the recent financial savings review. There had been little change in front line policing and any savings in this area had been through natural wastage. Further savings initiatives were being achieved or being investigated including: - Internal Savings; - On-going collaboration with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire - this will achieve £23 million of savings without a reduction in front line policing; - Tri-force alliance regarding Human Resources and Training; - Future tri-force collaboration for custody, ICT, information management and public contact. CONTEXT - Total crime increase of 10.3 percent in Hertfordshire - this increase was, in the main, the effect of the National Crime Recording Statistics changes and was a small increase when compared to the rest of the country; - 42.666 crimes were recorded in Hertfordshire - an increase of 4001 offences; - 3759 crimes were reported in North Hertfordshire - an increase of 149 offences, of which 20 percent were violent crimes. This was the smallest increase reported in the area. CRIME STATISTICS Chief Inspector Wheatley advised Members of some of the monthly crime figures in North Hertfordshire and the 4 major towns in the district between April 2014 and November 2015. She drew attention to the areas where crime figures had reduced in North Hertfordshire including: Burglary - Dwelling Which had reduced by 11.3 percent and had been achieved by being responsive and having good cross border liaison. Robbery This had reduced by 53.3 percent and the outcomes rate had increased by 28.6 percent. Domestic Abuse Although this had increased by 50.2 percent, it was viewed as a positive outcome as it meant that the work undertaken to raise awareness of the issues surrounding both domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation had resulted in more instances being reported to police. Working Together The team in North Hertfordshire had good working relationships through the business and residential communities and worked closely with groups and organisations including: Neighbourhood Watch Membership Safer Neighbourhood Teams had been increasing membership of Neighbourhood Watch through a series of Street Meets and engagement events. As a result 2400 members had been recruited over the past year. The event held on Jackman's had been a particular success and received a lot of positive feedback. Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour In direct response to complaints from members of the public about speeding, noise of engines, use of footpaths and suspected drug driving, Letchworth Safer Neighbourhood Team had been tackling the anti-social use of mopeds and motorbikes through Operation Exhaust. Nuisance Vehicles and Fly-Tipping Through Operation Aquo, the Hitchin Rural Team had been working with North Hertfordshire District Council to tackle nuisance vehicle use and environmental crime by conducting high visibility patrols on quad bikes in order to tackle fly-tipping and illegally driving vehicles, such as motorbikes, in farmers' fields and wooded areas. Addressing Drugs Use in Letchworth Through Operation Atman, the Letchworth and Baldock Team had been tackling the availability of and use of drugs in the towns. They executed a number of warrants which resulted in the arrest and charge of a number of offenders in connection with supplying drugs. Rhythms of the World June saw the smooth running of Rhythms of the World in Hitchin with Officers supporting the event to ensure that it ran safely. This event would not take place in 2016. Night-time Economy Officers had been working to keep up good relationships with the management teams of pubs and clubs in Hitchin and Royston. This on-going work was continuing to be successful and was enabling trouble to be quickly nipped in the bud. Church Vandalism Alongside Operation Scorpion, Officers were involved in apprehending the offender responsible for causing thousands of pounds worth of damage at churches in Hitchin and Letchworth. The same man was also responsible for smearing black paint at a number of locations in Letchworth including the Town Centre, Gernon Road and the Broadway. Following proactive investigations he was quickly arrested. Community Safety Cain Court, Royston had been investigated following complaints from local residents about anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance and drug use. Alongside North Herts Homes, Officers gathered evidence to prove that the tenant had been engaging in disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour and a Closure Order was granted in June. The Closure Order prevents anyone from entering the property for three months and the current tenant had to leave during this period. Three injunctions had been secured against people causing on going trouble in Keats Way, Hitchin. The main tenant and her associates had been playing music at unsociable hours, displaying drunken behaviour and been involved in alleged illegal drug use. Successful injunctions were served at the end of August and early September. The associates were no longer allowed on the premises and if the tenant continues with this behaviour, Officers can approach the County Court to enforce a Closure Order on the address which would see her evicted from the property. Prevent Update for North Herts: Summary of Governance Arrangements and Activity Tension Monitoring Returns The weekly Tension Monitoring Report is compiled and circulated by the Police Crime Reduction and Community Safety department. This report is completed by the Safer Neighbourhood Chief Inspectors and is circulated to partners for information (partners are also requested to feedback any further information using this format). To date there have been very few reports identifying community tensions/concerns within North Herts. Counter-Terrorism Tactical Action Group (CT-TAG) This is a monthly Police led meeting in which Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspectors discuss national, county and district concerns. Local Authority representatives are invited to attend and contribute. There has recently been a change in lead officer personnel and the format of these meetings may change. Channel Panel The Channel Panel meets every 6-8 weeks to discuss specific individuals who are at risk and or vulnerable to radicalisation/extremism. This group identifies what, if any, action needs to be put in place to support the individual from being drawn into terrorist/extremist activity. To date there has been one North Herts case reviewed at this meeting. Hertfordshire Counter Terrorism Local Profile (CTLP) Police analysts will commence the development of the next Counter Terrorism Local Profile (CTLP) for Hertfordshire in the next few weeks. The CTLP will provide an updated assessment of the threats, risks and vulnerabilities experienced across the county. As part of this process the Police have developed a questionnaire for partners to complete. This questionnaire aims to gain an understanding of Counter Terrorism or Domestic Extremism issues experienced by partner agencies since September 2014, and will take into account recommended areas for inclusion in the next CTLP. It will also help to shape future recommendations and highlight emerging issues. Questions In respect of Prevent, Members asked where the initial reports of concern came from, whether information was shared with cross border Police Forces and how the process for reporting suspected problems was being publicised. Chief Inspector Wheatley advised that reports of concern could be received from members of the public or organisations, that information was shared between Police Forces and that a lot of community engagement work was being undertaken, which included discussing issues with local people and groups and making visits to faith communities. Members asked about the methods for tackling drug supplies Sergeant Clarke informed Members that the local force dealt with local issues such as drug use, supply chains were tackled by centralised departments. Members queried whether the ANPR system of cameras around Royston would be available for use in the future. Chief inspector Wheatley advised that permanent use of the whole system of cameras had been deemed illegal, however particular cameras could be deployed when needed. In response to a question about custody cells, she advised that cells were shared between Police Forces. There were single and double occupancy cells, which were used according to risk assessments Members queried whether the police had made any plans regarding any settlement of Syrian refugees in the area. Chief Inspector Wheatley advised that multi-agency meetings would take place when particular families had been identified. The Chairman thanked Chief Inspector Wheatley and Sergeant Clarke for their presentation. |
Noted | ||
| 68 |
PRESENTATION BY THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR LEISURE Councillor Jane Gray, Executive Member for Leisure, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the issues activities within her Portfolio as follows: Overview of Leisure, Markets & Green Space Development Leisure and Markets - Management of Leisure Contracts such as the leisure centres; - Management of Leisure Capital Projects such as the Letchworth leisure centres; - Management of the Hitchin Market Contract; - Sports Facilities Action Plans including pavilions, football pitches and skate parks; - Working with contractors to ensure Action Plans are delivered. Green Space Development - Securing funding opportunities and delivering work programmes in the Council's adopted Green Space Management Strategy. Parks & Countryside Development Planning and development of: - Green Space Strategy; - Green Space Action Plans; - Outdoor Sports Facilities Action Plans; - Allotment Action Plans. Devolution of allotment management was being considered; - Outdoor Play Provision Action Plans. There were approximately 50 playgrounds in North Herts. Main Areas of Work - Development of Local Nature Reserves including Oughton Head and Ivel Springs; - Renovation and Development of Green Space including Bancroft Recreation Ground; - Multi-games Areas. There were 5 multi-games Areas in North Hertfordshire; - Tennis Courts; - Playgrounds; - Youth Provision such as skate parks; - Sports Pitches; - Pavilions. Service & Financial Plan - Services such as leisure, strategic development of NHDC green space and markets; - Financial Budgets both Capital & Revenue; - Performance Financial & Quality; - Projects; - Review of previous year(s) & plan future year(s); - Work Programmes. Quality Assurance within Leisure Sport England's National Benchmarking Survey and a non-user survey was undertaken at our three main leisure sites. The two surveys are undertaken in alternative years. The results of these feed into the annual joint work programmes. Recent examples include: - the introduction of an activity called ‘Make your Move' which aims to increase health and wellbeing for currently inactive over 50's within the local area; - a new school initiative called ‘Get Safe' to increase junior usage in swimming, with a focus on water safety knowledge and skills; - New group fitness classes which were introduced as a result of the last non-user survey. ‘Quest' is the industry watchdog for monitoring quality standards within leisure and sport facilities. All or our major leisure centre have been assessed with Royston Leisure Centre and North Herts Leisure Centre scoring excellent and Hitchin good, this puts all facilities in the top 5 percent of the country. The 2013 District Wide Survey demonstrated that 48% of residents used Council run leisure facilities within the last year and 90 percent of these residents are satisfied with the Council run leisure facilities. Green Space - Achievements 2014/2015 - Green Flag awards have been awarded to Norton Common, Priory Memorial Gardens, Oughtonhead Common and Howard Park & Gardens with Ivel Springs and Purwell Meadows receiving awards in 2015/2016; - External Funding for conservation projects included Purwell Meadows, Oughtonhead Common and Norton Common; - Play areas at Walsworth Common, Ransoms in Hitchin and Bush Springs, Baldock and the skate park in King George V as well as improvements to Hitchin and Baldock cemeteries had all been undertaken as part of the implementation of the Green Space Strategy and Action Plans; - NHDC worked with partners including - Countryside Management Service who look after our rural sites and secured £47k in external funding in 2014/2015; - Groundwork that assist with delivering the development of our urban sites; - Herts Highways Agreement secured HCC long term funding for trees and verges. - The 2013 District Wide Survey demonstrated a 90 percent satisfaction with parks & open spaces with 79 percent of residents using them in the last year. Leisure Facilities Strategy - The Leisure Facility Strategy was completed in 2010; - The Strategy was produced to identify the provision and quality of the different types of facilities in North Hertfordshire and identify if there was a need to provide further facilities in the future; - The Strategy looked at all built facilities within North Hertfordshire, including private facilities and schools; - The Strategy identified that there was not a need to provide more facilities at the moment but that a small growth would be required in the future as the population increased; - The Strategy demonstrated that the overall quality of provision was good; - An action plan was produced, which focused on the long-term requirements for improving, maintaining and providing new facilities. As the Council does not provide all of the facilities that were identified in the Strategy, the action plan set out how the Council could assist, not necessarily fund such work; - One of the objectives was to undertake an options appraisal of the North Herts Leisure Centre. This has been undertaken and a report is due to be presented to Cabinet in December; - The Council was currently reviewing the Leisure Facilities Strategy, by producing an Indoor Sports Facility Strategy which is required as part of producing the Council's Local Plan. Green Space Strategy - The Council's adopted strategy for 2014 - 2019 has action plans to deliver £1,949,000 of improvements to all aspects of open space; - Its objective is to maintain and improve green space for the current and future needs of the local community; - The aim is to secure 70% of this investment from external sources, although this is likely to become more of a challenge in future years due to the changes in S106 funding and other financial constraints. Green Space Action Plans - Allotments - the plan is to devolve management; - Green Space - to work in partnership to maintain parks and source external funding wherever possible; - Outdoor play provision - to renovate one play area per year; - Outdoor sports facilities. Challenges - The current strategy is not sustainable in the longer term. Funding is 59% lower than the previous five year strategy; - For example NHDC have 45 play areas. The average life of a play area is 15 years. To sustain this level of service a 5 year strategy should be to refurbish 15. Currently we are refurbishing 5; - Consideration needs to be given as to the level of future investment across all areas of green space; - Need to ensure appropriate linkages with NHDC's emerging Local Plan. Financial Pressures - NHDC is under increasing pressure to reduce capital and revenue spend; - NHDC's Medium Term Financial Strategy operates a system of priority led budgeting; - Changes in legislation are reducing the level of developer contributions for improvements to green space; - Due to increasing competition it is less likely to secure external grants. Review - A Project Board has been established to undertake a review of the strategy, which would meet for the first time in January 2016; - The review will cover both the existing strategy 2014-2019 and proposals for future investment beyond 2019 along with the Grounds Maintenance contract from 2017' - It will also focus on adoption of green space associated with new housing developments & funding opportunities. Leisure Projects - The Council has continued to invest into its leisure facilities to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet current and future customer needs; - Capital projects that the Council have undertaken within our Leisure Centres. The main ones are: - Royston Leisure Centre 2005 (£5m for a new facility); - North Herts Leisure Centre 2006 (£2m for a new fitness room, dance studio, steam, sauna and changing rooms); - Hitchin Swimming Centre 2008 (£500k for a new reception and upgrade to the café); - Hitchin Swimming Centre and Archers 2014 (£3m for the changing village and three new dance studios); - Archers 2015 (£200k for changing rooms, steam and sauna, entrance and corridor); - The most recent and current project is the capital investment into the North Herts Leisure Centre project; - An update regarding this project will be presented to Cabinet to 15th December 2015; - This key items that are outlined in the Business Case for the North Herts Leisure Centre include: - New Learner Pool; - Changing rooms; - New café; - A new dance studio; - Moving offices upstairs; - Improve the corridors. The costs for these works had increased and the expected income had reduced, due to the delay in the project. The overall effect of approximately £500,000 (12 percent) would be considered by Cabinet in December 2015. The Importance of Green Space For centuries public parks have played an important part in the social and civic life of communities. From pocket parks in local neighbourhoods, country parks on the periphery of towns, to large civic parks at the heart of city centres, public parks are deeply rooted in the physical fabric, spirit and identity of thousands of places across the UK. Previous Green Space Projects 2009-2013 saw £4,740,115 of improvements to green space including: - Refurbishment of Howard Park & Gardens; - Three flood lit multi use games areas; - New sports pavilion; - Two water splash park; - Wetland habitat creation; - Nine refurbished play areas. Current Green Space Projects The current 2014 - 2019 strategy lists £1,949,000 of improvements to green space including: - Two water splash parks; - Five refurbished play areas; - Access improvements to eight sites; - Five improved skate parks; - Sports pitch improvements to one site. Future Green Space Projects - NHDC will need to decide on the level of future investment; - Due to the predicted financial constraints of the Council we may need to strategically prioritise the areas of investment for green space that maximise overall benefit to the community within the financial constraints of the Council. Markets - The Council used to operate all 3 outdoor markets directly, this included Hitchin which the Council own the market right and Royston and Baldock markets where the market rights are owned by private companies; - In 2006 the owners of the market right for Baldock market awarded the contract to a private company; - In 2008 the Council decided to tender out the operation of Hitchin and Royston market. These were awarded to Hitchin Market Ltd and Royston Town Council; - In 2010 the Council handed back the responsibility of Royston market to the market right owners and facilitated an arrangement for Royston Town Council to continue to operate this market. Leisure and Environmental Services 2015/2016 Budget - Green Space capital programme originally included in Green Space Strategy for 2015/16 is £320,000; - Additional investment of £350,000 has been agreed for two water splash parks; - Stevenage Leisure Limited currently pay the Council £460,000 per annum for managing the Council's leisure facilities; - The Leisure Contracts have a profit share agreement, where 50 percent of any surpluses are reinvested back into the centres. The current balance is £127,000, of which it was propose to use £110,000 to renovate the car park at the North Herts Leisure Centre. Future Challenges The challenge is to meet future expectations of our residents in regard to both green spaces and leisure services - Many of these services are not statutory and costly to provide; - NHDC Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) shows the "Jaws of Doom" expectation that in future years there will be significant financial pressures on Council services. Questions Members asked for an example of how benchmarking surveys fed into the work programme. ` The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services informed Members that actions were developed and agreed which were then integrated into the following year's work perogramme. The Strategic Director of Customer Services advised that the Council worked with Stevenage Leisure Centre to introduce schemes that would meet needs for instance it was identified from the National Benchmarking Survey that 50+ activities were needed and the Council worked with SLL to develop that programme. The Executive Member for Leisure referred to the "Get Safe" initiative, which had taken place in the summer in Letchworth and resulted in over 120 children from local schools being educated in water safety and basic first aid with a further 130 places booked for next summer In respect of leisure centre performance within the Country Members asked how it was determined that NHDC facilities were in the top 5 percent The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services advised that Quest (Sport England) provided placement details and that Royston Leisure Centre was number 1 in the country in previous years. In respect of partnership working, a Member expressed how impressed they were with the works undertaken, particularly at Oughtonhead and Purwell Meadows and informed the Committee that a presentation given to Hitchin Committee regarding Groundworks had been informative. Members queried whether CMS and Groundworks would continue to work with NHDC, The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services advised that the work undertaken by these organisations had to be tendered for. Members asked about the Areas of Natural Beauty within the District. The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services informed Members that an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was a national designation, which informed decision making for planning applications. A Member commented that Knebworth Parish Council was finding it difficult to get funds to maintain Norton Green Common and asked what help was available to Parishes in these circumstances The Executive Member for Leisure advised that NHDC Officers could give advice to Parishes and help to identify external funding and gave the example of Codicote Parish Council that had been supported by NHDC Officers to identify funding opportunities to support maintenance of their parks and had now received substantial grant funding. Members asked for clarification about the types of improvements that would be undertaken as part of the Green Space Strategy The Parks and Countryside Development Manager advised that there were a wide range of projects including improving the biodiversity of the river at Cadwell Lane, Hitchin, water splash parks, new play areas and entrance way improvements to parks. In respect of the increased costs regarding the North Herts Leisure Centre improvements a Member expressed surprise at the level of increase and asked whether a contingency figure had been included in the budget for the project The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services informed Members that the reasons for the increase were that the quotes for the work came in above the estimates provided and programming of works would take longer than expected. The new budget for the project included contingencies, which were needed for any unseen issues that may arise. The Chairman thanked Councillor Gray for her presentation. |
Noted | ||
| 69 |
REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS ACT UPDATE AND USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES IN INVESTIGATIONS UPDATE Report The Advisory and Litigation Lawyer presented the report entitled Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act Update and Use of Social Networking Site in Investigations Update. He informed Members that there had been no RIPA authorisations since the last report. In respect of the use of social networking sites in investigations, he advised that many people don't think about the information that they share on social media and the Council needed to consider how Officer's used this information when conducting an investigation. Therefore a new policy was being drafted to guide Officer's on the use off social networking sites and ensure that, if used, it is done in a professional and legal manner. . RESOLVED: That the report entitled Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act Update and Use of Social Networking Sites in Investigations Update be noted. REASON FOR DECISION: To comply with best practice guidance and the Committee's Terms of Reference to monitor the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. |
Agreed | ||
| 70 |
PERFORMANCE INDICATOR MONITORING REPORT - 2ND QUARTER 2015/16. Performance Indicator Data The Performance and Risk Manager presented the report entitled Performance Indicator Monitoring - Second Quarter 2015/16 and drew attention to the following: MI L1015 - Number of Visits to Leisure Facilities This indicator was on target. LI048 - KG of Residual Waste from Households per Household & NI191 - KG residual Waste per Household A Member commented that the two different sets of figures regarding waste were not helpful The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services advised that NI191 the former national indicator included street cleansing arising's and domestic clinical waste whereas the local indicator (LI048) excluded these. It was proposed at the Performance Workshop held before this meeting that the local Indicators were deleted from 2016/17 to reduce confusion. RESOLVED: That the Performance Indicators - Second Quarter 2015/16 be noted. REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are able to monitor performance. |
Agreed | ||
| 71 |
MID YEAR MONITORING REPORT ON KEY PROJECTS FOR 2015/16 Report The Performance and Risk Manager presented the report entitled Mid Year Monitoring Report on Key Projects for 2015/16 and drew attention to the following: Prepare Local Plan Submission 8,500 representations had been received during the consultation period and following analysis of these, further work was required to underpin the evidence base for the submission draft of the Local Plan. A Member was concerned that the comments were too optimistic and that considering that a new timetable was being produced, the comments should have comprised of more realistic wording. As this was one of the top risks this Committee should keep a close eye on it. Regeneration of John Barker Place This project was being led by North Herts Homes. Once the new Community Centre had been completed, the existing Centre had been demolished and the new Multi Games Area had been constructed, work would start on the development of new affordable housing and shops. Churchgate, Hitchin A Member noted that Hammersmatch were not providing a solution for the market, but were providing a report. Westmill Community Centre The new Centre was anticipated to be completed in early 2016. Delivery of Identified Projects in the Green Space Strategy and Agreed Capital Programme The play area at Bush Springs, Baldock had been refurbished and splash parks at Bancroft Recreation Ground, Hitchin and Priory Memorial Garden, Royston were both underway, and expected to be open for use in the summer of 2016. Redevelopment and Refurbishment at North Herts Leisure Centre Approval for the capital programme had been obtained and planning permission granted. Other Matters Members suggested that future reports could be in a tabular form to include risks and, where scrutiny is identified, which committee would do this. RESOLVED: That the Mid Year Monitoring report on Key Projects for 2015/16 be noted. REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are able to monitor Key Projects for 2015/16. |
Agreed | ||
| 72 |
MEMBERS' QUESTIONS No questions had been submitted. |
Noted | ||
| 73 |
OUTCOMES OF TASK AND FINISH GROUPS Report Appendix A - Task and Finish Group Outcomes The Scrutiny Officer presented the report entitled Outcomes of Task and Finish Groups. He advised that the number of recommendations accepted by Cabinet was reasonable, however it should be noted that acceptance did not necessarily mean implementation. Members were keen that the recommendations made by Task and Finish Groups made a difference by being implemented and commented that this was the sort of information that would be useful to monitor. In respect of the Task and Finish Group on Commercialisation, it had disappointing that the recommendation had received such negative comments. The recommendations would be considered by a Project Board, but the memberships of this Board would be critical and should include outside expertise. Members noted that the recommendations of Task and Finish Groups rarely seemed to come to fruition and it would be wise to consider the processes and value of Task and Finish Groups at a future meeting. RESOLVED: That the outcomes of Task and Finish Groups be noted. REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are able to monitor the outcomes of Task and Finish Groups. |
Agreed | ||
| 74 |
RESOLUTIONS OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Resolutions Report The Scrutiny Officer presented the report entitled resolutions of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and drew attention to the following: Minute 15 - June 2013 - Grant Aid A report on regarding the Grants Review was due to be considered at the meeting due to be held on 19 January 2016. Minute 50 - September 2015 - Task and Finish group on the Commercialisation of Council Services The Task and Finish Group report had been considered by Cabinet on 10 November 2015 and had resolved to establish a Project Board to advise Cabinet on the best methods to deliver recommendations and further consider the Task and Finish Group's report Other Issues Members had previously expressed disappointment at the progress of Task and Finish Group Recommendations following consideration by Cabinet and noted the Scrutiny Officer's comments that Cabinet needed to have the confidence to change things. Members acknowledged that the Authority could do better at tracking outcomes of accepted resolutions of all Committees, in this case the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, through the Portfolio. The Committee should make more use of the presentations by Executive Members and be clearer about what information was required and ask them to address outcomes of Task and Finish Groups in their presentations. RESOLVED: That the actions resulting from the resolutions of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted. REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review and monitor the progress of resolutions made. |
Agreed | ||
| 75 |
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME Report Appendix A - Work Programme Appendix B - Forward Plan The Scrutiny Officer presented the report entitled Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme and drew attention to the following: Task and Finish Groups The Task and Finish Group on the Council Reports would commence in the near future. The next Task and Finish Groups would be regarding Management of Large Projects followed by Recharges. The Scrutiny Officer suggested that Value for Money could be considered at the same time as Recharges. Executive Member Presentations Councillor Hunter, Executive Member for Community Engagement and Rural Affairs, had been invited to present to that meeting due to be held on 19 January 2016 at which time the Review of the Grants Policy was due to be considered. Councillor Needham, Leader of the Council, would make a presentation at the meeting due to be held on 22 March 2016 and may spend some time looking at the Council's future. Councillor Lovewell, Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health would be attending the June meeting. RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme be noted. REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to plan and carry out its workload efficiently and effectively. |
Agreed | ||