| Time: | 7.30pm | Place: | Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City |
| PRESENT: | Councillor John Booth (Chairman), Councillor Julian Cunningham (Vice-Chairman), Councillor Dave Chambers, Councillor Gary Grindal, Councillor T.W. Hone, Councillor Lorna Kercher, Councillor David Levett, Councillor Ian Mantle, Councillor Mrs L.A. Needham and Councillor Mike Rice. |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Louise Symes (Strategic Planning and Projects Manager), Steve Geach (Parks and Countryside Development Manager), Brendan Sullivan (Scrutiny Officer), Claire Morgan (Community Development Officer) and Hilary Dineen (Committee and Member Services Officer). |
| ALSO PRESENT: | At the start of the meeting Councillor M.R.M. Muir (Chairman, Highways Liaison Meeting) and 3 members of the public. |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
| PART I | ||||
| 20 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Clare Billing. |
Noted | ||
| 21 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 12 June 2013 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 22 |
NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. |
Noted | ||
| 23 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman welcomed all those present at the meeting, particularly Councillor M.R.R Muir and those due to give a presentation; (2) The Chairman asked that the condolences of the Letchworth Committee be passed onto Councillors Judi Billing and Clare Billing regarding the loss of Councillor David Billing who passed away on 8 July 2013, The Committee agreed that Councillor David Billing worked extremely hard for NHDC and was an excellent Councillor. (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, Other Pecuniary interest or Non-Pecuniary 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 either an Other Pecuniary interest, or a Non-Pecuniary interest which requires they leave the room under Paragraph 16.3 of the Code of Conduct, can speak on the item, but must leave the room before the debate and vote. |
Noted | ||
| 24 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - 7TH LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY SCOUTS Carolyn Nunnington, Assistant Scout Group Leader, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation as follows: - The 7th Scout Group consisted of Beavers (6 - 8 years old), Cubs (8 - 10.5 years old) and Scouts (10.5 - 14 years old); - Scouting was open to both boys and girls; - The Scout Movement gave young people the opportunity to have fun and learn skills needed to be a responsible person; - This year the 7th Scout Group would celebrate their 75th anniversary and would be celebrating with an overnight visit to London on the 7/8 September 2013; - The Beavers and Cubs would spend the night on the Golden Hind and the Scouts would stay on HMS Belfast; - Fund raising for the trip had taken place through the year and included bag packing at Sainsburys and a fun walk in fancy dress; - The total cost of the trip was £4,780, which included £1,800 for the overnight stay on the Golden Hind, £1,400 for the overnight stay on HMS Belfast and £790 for the coach; - The grant request was for £790 to cover the cost of the coach. The Chairman thanked Mrs Nunnington for her presentation. |
Noted | ||
| 25 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE YEAR AWARD (YOPEY) The Community Development Officer advised that the Young People of the Year Award (YOPEY) would not make a presentation to this meeting as they had withdrawn the application for funding. They would, however like to make a presentation to the Committee and submit a grant application for next years awards. |
Noted | ||
| 26 |
LETCHWORTH PARKING REVIEW Report Appendix A The Strategic Planning and Projects Manager presented the report of the Strategic Director of Planning, Housing and Enterprise regarding the Letchworth Parking Review and drew attention to the following: - This was the first of a series of reports which would be presented to the Committee; - This report sought Members views on parking issues and problems, which would feed into other information received; - Whole town parking reviews usually took between 2 and 3 years to complete; - An holistic approach was being taken regarding the review rather that looking at individual components; - Parking issues and problems raised would be investigated; - A more detailed report, would be presented in November 2013 which would include officer recommendations regarding a programme of work and would seek to prioritise issues based on available resources - Table 8.1 of the report was compiled from comments from residents, Councillors and Hertfordshire Highways; - That there appeared to be some spare capacity within existing Controlled Parking Zones, parts of which could be reallocated for non-resident parking, this would be subject to further investigation and pre-consultation with local residents; - That consideration could be given to trialling on street parking charges; - Verge parking appeared to be an issue throughout the District and this could be considered as part of the review. Members observed that Letchworth benefited from many green verges and questioned what could be done to prevent verge parking and parking across the end of pathways. It was suggested that restoration of verges after building should be considered as part of any planning application. It was also suggested that businesses and users would prefer a pay on foot system for car parks. Members felt that the times relating to CPZs and the effect of the introduction of CPZs on surrounding roads had not been fully considered in the past, that resources may not be available to ensure that enforcement of parking restrictions was maintained and that all issues regarding CPZs should be considered by the Area Committee prior to implementation, change or withdrawal. It was felt that consideration must be given in the review to car parks belonging to other organisations such as Morrisons and Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation in order to complete an effective review and that the Town Centre Manager should also be consulted. There had been two Overview and Scrutiny Task and Finish Groups, Residential Parking in 2005/06 and Parking Strategy in 2010/11 which could inform this parking review. Members advised that, although there was currently a by-law regarding verge parking the fines that could be collected did not cover the cost of collection and therefore it may be worth putting in place traffic regulations, which carried a different fine structure. The Strategic Planning and Projects Manager asked Members to consider what other parking issues may be incorporated into the table at Paragraph 8.1 of the report. Members made a number of suggestions of issues that should be incorporated into Paragraph 8.1. RESOLVED: (1) That the Strategic Planning and Projects Manager be requested to take the following comments into account when taking the Letchworth Parking Review forward: (i) That planning applications include a condition that verges should be restored after building work had been completed; (ii) That businesses and users would prefer car parks to be charged by a pay on foot system; (iii) That a strategy should be introduced to ensure that the effect of the introduction of CPZs on surrounding roads was considered; (iv) That the times relating to existing Controlled Parking Zones should be reviewed; (v) That all issues regarding CPZs should be considered by the Area Committee prior to implementation, change or withdrawal; (vi) That consideration needed to be given to whether resources were available to ensure that enforcement of parking restrictions was maintained; (vii) That consideration be given to car parks belonging to other organisations such as Morrisons and Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation; (viii) That the Town Centre Manager be consulted; (ix) That the Overview and Scrutiny Task and Finish Group reports on Residential Parking (2005/06) and Parking Strategy (2010/11) be used to inform the Parking Review. (2) That the Strategic Planning and Projects Manager be requested to investigate and/or incorporate the following issues into the table at Paragraph 8.1 of the report: (i) The Multi-Storey car park was dark, dingy and unwelcoming; (ii) The bays in the Multi Storey car park were very tight and underused; (iii) The Open Air Pool and Leisure Centre Car parks were currently being used by people working on the industrial estate and therefore could be chargeable, with a refund if NHDC facilities were used; (iv) There was no disabled parking facilities at the top of Leys Avenue. (3) That Members contact the Transport Policy Officer with any further issues to be considered during the Letchworth parking Review by 31 July 2013. (4) That, at the appropriate time, the Strategic Planning and Projects Manager be requested to present a further report regarding the Letchworth Parking Review to the Letchworth Committee. REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Letchworth Committee are able to comment on the first stage report regarding the Letchworth Parking Review. |
Agreed | ||
| 27 |
DRAFT GREEN SPACE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Introduction by Councillor Knighton Report Appendix A The Parks and Countryside Development Manager presented a summary by the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, which was tabled at the meeting, and the report of the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services regarding the Draft Green Space Management Strategy and drew attention to the following: THE SUMMARY - Explained the importance of external investment in allowing schemes over the past five years to proceed; - This was only possible by demonstrating there was genuine community support for schemes; - NHDC secured in excess of £3,420,000 external investment for green space; - Much of the proposed investment in the new strategy would also rely on external funding bodies and would have to be delivered with reduced staffing resources; - Proposed schemes must be affordable and meet the requirements of the Council's existing adopted policies and strategies without this and local support it would be unlikely that external funding would be secured or schemes progressed. THE REPORT - The existing strategy expired in March 2014 and the strategy being considered looked forward to the next 5 years; - The current strategy had generated in excess of £3,420,000 of external investment for improvements to green space, which approximately translated that for every £100 of investment NHDC funded £30; - The benefits of quality green space was well documented with the past 5 years seeing a 19 percent increase in usage; - The proposed strategy aimed to continue the trend of external investment, which would result in the much needed improvements being continued at minimal cost to the Council; - Paragraph 1.2 of the report listed the aims of the strategy which was agreed in principle by Cabinet on the 18 June 2013; - The draft Strategy was currently being circulated to each Area Committee for their comments. IMPROVEMENT IN LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY - LAST FIVE YEARS The last five years had seen the following improvements for Letchworth Garden City: - Howard Park and Gardens - £2.7 million lottery refurbishments; - Norton Common - MUGA, pathways, water courses, new signs LNR status and green flag; - Wilbury Recreation Ground - Refurbished play area, ball court; - Temple Recreation Ground - Refurbished play area; - Hillbrow - Refurbished play area; - Grange Recreation Ground - New Sports Pavilion, pitch improvements, refurbished play area, outdoor gym equipment and new skateboard ramps; - Pix Brook Meadows - Improved pathways and opened ancient orchard; - Pryor Way Allotments - Creation of 15 new plots; - Woolgrove Allotments - Creation of new allotment site. IMPROVEMENTS IN LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY - THE NEXT FIVE YEARS - Wilbury Hills Cemetery - Feasibility study for Crematorium; - Icknield Way Cemetery - Reconstruct Roadways; - Wilbury Hills Cemetery - Construction of new roads; - Baldock Road Recreation Ground - Improve entrances, boundary fencing; - Grange Recreation Ground - Improve entrance, enhance biodiversity; - Wilbury Recreation Ground - Enhance biodiversity; - Temple Gardens - Improve entrances; - Hillbrow - Improve access, boundary fencing; - Jackmans Central - Renovate Play Area; - Norton Common - Improve wheeled sports facility; - Norton Common - Grant aid improvements to pavilion; - Baldock Road - Improve wheeled sports provision; - Jackmans Playing Fields - Resurface car park (completed). The Parks and Countryside Manager advised that listing projects and aims in the Strategy supported applications for Section 106 funding and for other external funding. Members asked several questions including whether S106 funding had been secured for Baldock Recreation Ground; whether there was a long term strategy regarding the need to replace the North Herts Leisure Centre and agreed that green spaces and play area provision should form part of future planning applications. The Parks and Countryside Development Manager advised that 80 percent of funding for Baldock Recreation Ground had been secured so far and that work was being undertaken on the Leisure Strategy, which included the north Herts Leisure Centre. Members reiterated their appreciation of the restoration of Howard Park and Gardens and felt that this alone demonstrated how people valued open spaces. RESOLVED: (1) That the details of and the proposals in the Draft Green Space Management Strategy be noted; (2) That the Development and Control Manager be requested to consider green spaces and play area provision as part of all of future planning applications. REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the views of the Letchworth Committee were considered by Cabinet prior to the adoption of the Green Space Management Strategy. |
Agreed | ||
| 28 |
CONSULTATION OF MEMBERS ON THE SCRUTINY OF HIGHWAYS ISSUES IN NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE Report Appendix A - Scope The Scrutiny Officer advised Members that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be undertaking a Task and Finish Group on Highways Arrangements and Issues and that he was visiting all Area Committees to canvass opinions, which would be fed into the Task and Finish Group meetings. He drew attention to paragraph 6.2 of the report which detailed the scope of the Task and Finish Group and Paragraph 6.3 of the report which asked eight questions which were debated as follows: WHAT WAS THE LEVEL OF SATISFACTION WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF THE HIGHWAYS? Members stated that the state of the highways was far from satisfactory. Estate roads appear to have had no attention from Hertfordshire highways and as a consequence were in a very poor state. The quality of repairs generally, but particularly regarding potholes, was poor. HOW CLEAR WAS THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S APPROACH TO HIGHWAYS IMPROVEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR? Members expressed concern at the amount of time that it took to start and complete repairs and that pavements, no matter what the footfall were never repaired. One of the major issues in the District was that potholes did not get repaired and, when left caused further deterioration of the roads. HOW MUCH MEMBER TIME WAS TAKEN UP WITH HIGHWAYS MATTERS? Members stated that a lot of their time was taken up with dealing either with complaints about highways or trying to report highways issues. HOW EASY WAS IT TO REPORT FAULTS AND WERE THEY FIXED PROPERLY AND IN GOOD TIME? Members advised that the reporting of issues and timescales of repair used to be good, but both areas had become difficult and slow. County Council's online map, meant to help with reporting repairs, was of very little use and the response to reports of issues was very poor unless it was reported as dangerous with a risk of injury. WERE MEMBERS CONSULTED ABOUT THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S CHANGES TO STRUCTURES, PROCESSES, OPERATION AND POLICY AND HOW DID THIS CONSULTATION TAKE PLACE? Members advised that they were not consulted about anything to do with Highways by the County Council and the decision making process appeared to be veiled and arbitrary. HOW DID THE NEW HIGHWAYS LIAISON MEETING COMPARE TO THE JOINT MEMBER PANEL PROCESS? Members advised that the Highways Liaison Meeting had only met once and therefore the effectiveness could not yet be judged however it was felt that with just 2 planned meeting a year it would not be able to achieve much. HOW EFFECTIVE WAS THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC OF NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES? Members advised that the Herts news "Horizon" was good at giving information to the public, but the County Council's website was very poor an difficult to find information. In general Hertfordshire Highways were uncommunicative. WERE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL ON HIGHWAYS MATTERS? Members advised that information had been provided by the County Council in the past, however this had changed and now no information was provided and it was difficult to get responses to questions It was now the responsibility of County Members to devolve information to District and Parish Councils. OTHER ISSUES It was suggested that Terry Douris, Hertfordshire County Council Executive Member for Highways should be invited to take part in the Task and Finish Group RESOLVED: (1) That the Scrutiny Officer be requested to advise the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish group on Highways Arrangements and Issues of the comments of this committee as detailed in the preamble above; (2) That the Scrutiny Officer suggest that Terry Douris, Hertfordshire County Council Executive Member for Highways be invited to take part in the Overview and Scrutiny Task and Finish group on Highways Arrangements and Issues; (3) That Members be requested to contact the Scrutiny Officer with any other issues or comments for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Task and Finish group on Highways Arrangements and Issues. REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the comments of the Letchworth Committee can be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Task and Finish Group on Highways Arrangements and Issues. |
Agreed | ||
| 29 |
CHAMPION NEWS AND FINANCE REPORT Report Appendix 1 - Budgets Appendix 2 - Grant Application - Apna Punjabi School Appendix 3 - Grant Application YOPEY Appendix 4 - Grant Application - Cortex Appendix 5 - Grant Application - 7th Letchworth Scouts Appendix 6 - Committee Summary The Community Development Officer presented the report of the Head of Policy and Community Services entitled Champion News and Finance Report and drew attention to the following: 'PARADISE IS' The Food bank had "Yarn bombed" the ‘Paradise Is' sculpture located outside the Town hall, This was done to publicise the work of the Food bank. VEG FEST The Veg Fest took place on Friday 12 July 2013 with each school having a stall. Groundwork Herts had organised this and been to schools in Letchworth encouraging pupils to grow food. ARMED FORCES DAY Armed Force day was held on 29 June 2013. ANGLIA IN BLOOM Judging for Anglia In Bloom had taken place on 9 July 2013. The judges visited Howard Park and Gardens, the First Roundabout, The Wynd and Spirella. The award ceremony would take place in September 2013. LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY HERITAGE FOUNDATION FUNDING DAY The funding day was held on 17 June 2013 at which NHDC CDO had a stall. It had been very busy with a lot of grant application forms being handed out. NEW YOUTH FOUNDATION A thank you card had been received from this group. The Community Development Officer suggested that Members might like to visit them to see what they were doing. WILBURY RESIDENTS FORUM The Forum had agreed a Constitution and had manned stalls in the Town Centre and at Wilbury Fete. LEAYP The Leayp event had taken place on 15 June with 17 organisation running stalls which promoted their groups activities. Three Counties Radio was present at the event. COUNCILLOR SURGERY The next Councillor Surgery would be held on 20 July 2013 in Garden Square Shopping Centre. HIGHWAYS ISSUES The Community Development Officer advised that some Area Committee had part funded highways projects and that Members could chose to allocate funds to Highways. Members agreed to discuss this at the next meeting of the Committee due to be held on 11 September 2013 RESOLVED: (1) That the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry forwards from the Development and Visioning Budgets be noted; (2) That the actions taken by the Community Development Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Letchworth Garden City be endorsed; (3) That the allocation of Area Committee funding to highways projects be considered at the next meeting of this Committee due to be held on 11 September 2013. REASON FOR DECISION: To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in Letchworth Garden City. |
Agreed | ||
| 30 |
GRANT APPLICATION - APNA PUNJABI SCHOOL The Community Development Officer advised that following on from the decision made at the last meeting of the Committee she had sourced two small cupboards for the Apna Punjabi School. They still required learning resources and were seeking a grant of £790. Members debated the application and after a vote agreed that £300 should be awarded. RESOLVED: That grant funding of £300 be awarded to Apna Punjabi School from the Discretionary Budget towards the costs of learning resources. REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 31 |
GRANT APPLICATION - YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE YEAR 2013 The Community Development Officer advised that the Young People of the Year Award (YOPEY) had withdrawn their application for grant funding, however they would be making a future application for next years awards. |
Noted | ||
| 32 |
GRANT APPLICATION - CORTEX Prior to the item being discussed Councillor Lorna Kercher declared a non-pecuniary interest, as she was the Chairman of Howard Garden Social and Day Care Centre from which Cortex rented accommodation for their meetings and left the room for the duration of the item. The Community Development Officer reminded Members that this grant application was due to be considered at the meeting of this Committee held on 13 March 2013, but a Member declared an interest which required her to leave the room and this made the meeting in-quorate for the item. Members present had suggested that the Chairman award £500 under his delegated powers and that an award of further £500 should be confirmed at this meeting. Members discussed whether or not more funds than requested should be awarded and whether grant funding should be awarded towards the costs of public liability insurance and running costs. Following a vote it was agreed that a grant of £500 be awarded and that the group be advised that a grant for running costs may not be agreed in future. RESOLVED: (1) That grant funding of £500 be awarded to Cortex from the Discretionary Budget towards the costs of hall hire and public liability insurance; (2) That the Community Development Officer be requested to inform Cortex that it was not usual to award grant funding for running costs on an annual basis and therefore future grant requests for this may not be agreed in future. REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 33 |
GRANT APPLICATION - 7TH LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY SCOUTS Members were very supportive of the planned 75th anniversary celebrations and asked that they receive feedback after the event. RESOLVED: (1) That grant funding of £790 be awarded to 7th Letchworth Garden City Scouts from the Discretionary Budget towards the costs of hiring a coach for their 75th anniversary celebrations due to take place on 7/8 September 2013; (2) That the Community Development Officer be requested to invite the 7th Letchworth Garden City Scouts to give a presentation to this Committee about their 75th anniversary celebrations at the meeting due to be held on 23 January 2014. REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 34 |
WARD AND OUTSIDE ORGANISATION - MEMBERS' REPORTS LETCHWORTH BID Councillor David Levett can an update on the progress of the Letchworth BID as follows: - The presentations for the Letchworth BID were well underway - The time table had now been set 30 July 2013 Considered by Cabinet 27 August 2013 Prospectus published 3/4 September 2013 Drop Ins arranged 10 September 2013 Launch 2 October 2013 Notice of Ballot to be issued 30 October 2013 Ballot held; - The Business Plan had changed substantially and was now based on creating an environment that result in more use of the Town Centre; - If the BID was successful the Town Centre Partnership would be dissolved and be a BID company would be formed. JACKIES DROP IN FUNDAY Councillor John Booth advised that he had attended Jackie's Drop In Funday, which had been well attended and enjoyable. |
Noted | ||