| Time: | 7.30pm | Place: | Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City |
| PRESENT: | Councillor D.J. Barnard (Chairman), Councillor Cathryn Henry (Vice-Chairman), Councillor Alan Bardett, Councillor Faye Barnard, Councillor John Bishop, Councillor Tom Brindley, Councillor Sal Jarvis and Councillor Mrs C.P.A. Strong. |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Stuart Izzard (Community Development Manager), Margaret Bracey (Community Development Officer), Vaughan Watson (Head of Leisure and Environmental Services), Dan Kingsley (Service Manager - Waste Management), Rebecca Coates (Community Safety Manager) and David Miley (Democratic Services Manager). |
| ALSO PRESENT: | County and District Councillor Tony Hunter, Inspector Daniel Lawrence (Hertfordshire Constabulary), Sergeant Guy Westwood (Hertfordshire Constabulary and 10 members of the public. |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
| PART I | ||||
| 4 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tricia Cowley and Jane Gray. |
Noted | ||
| 5 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2013 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 6 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2013 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 7 |
NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS There were no items of other business. |
Noted | ||
| 8 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and congratulated Councillor Gray on her appointment as Chairman of the Council and Councillor Cowley on her appointment as Vice-Chairman of the Council. (2) Members were reminded that declarations of interest in respect of 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 | ||
| 9 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE YEAR (YOPEY) HERTFORDSHIRE 2013 Tony Gearing made a presentation, which included a short film. The aim of YOPEY was to "reveal, recognise and reward" positive role models and dispel less positive images of young people. The 2013 Hertfordshire YOPEY awards were open to nominations. Members of the committee were invited to visit the website (youngpeopleoftheyear.org), to learn more and nominate young people they feel made positive contributions to our communities. The Chairman thanked Mr Gearing. It was noted that: - whilst presentations to area committees were appreciated, a way should be found for this organisation to present future grant applications, or presentations, corporately, given the authority wide nature of its aims; - County Councillor Tony Hunter would be available, if required, to assist in securing a venue on County premises, for the 2013 awards event; RESOLVED: (1) That the Communications Manager be requested to promote YOPEY in a future edition of the NHDC Outlook Magazine; (2) That the Head of Policy and Community Services investigate a method by which YOPEY and other organisations with authority wide aims can present grant applications in future. |
Agreed | ||
| 10 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - THE PROPOSED CODICOTE SPORTS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE Jim Park presented an update on the proposals. They had previously been the subject of consideration by Cabinet, most recently at its meeting held on 19 June 2012. Mr Park outlined an ambitious project, which emanated from local sporting talent and the growth and success of local teams. The project would be in two phases. Phase 1 would see the refurbishment of the existing clubhouse and Phase 2 the construction of a multi-sports facility equivalent in size to four badminton courts. A business plan had been produced and agreed by the Project Steering Group. Whilst the overall cost had reduced to an estimated £1.2 million, a funding shortfall remained. This was due to outstanding pledges, time expired grant awards, still to be identified funding sources and a proposal to further reduce the overall cost. The level of secured funding stood at £80,000. The Chairman thanked Mr Park for the update. It was noted that: - the committee was unable to comment at this stage; - Mr Park would forward the business plan to the Head of Policy and Community Services at NHDC; - the Head of Policy and Community Services would explore avenues of funding within the remit of NHDC. |
Noted | ||
| 11 |
HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY - UPDATE ON NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING STRUCTURE Inspector Daniel Lawrence described the new structure and explained that the new arrangements would have no adverse impact on the level of policing in the area. Significant incidents and certain planned operations may cause diversions from normal policing. Necessary overtime would continue. Increasingly, police officers were able to remain in the area due to improved communications technology. Commercial marketing techniques were being examined as the Constabulary sought to improve ways of gaining the views of residents about policng issues. Initiatives, such as the "Green Penny" scheme employed in some supermarkets, were already being employed. The Chairman thanked Inspector Lawrence for the presentation. It was noted that: - a "green penny" scheme could be usefully employed in schools for parents and children; - although police duties were not allocated by local authority ward, this did not detract from policing operations. For example, the village of Ickleford was considered with Hitchin for planning purposes; - the new "marketing" initiatives were welcome. Recent community hall meetings had been poorly attended; - Inspector Lawrence would arrange a meeting with NHDC to consider action to address parking violations beyond the remit of NHDC; - the recently acquired All Terrain Vehicle (Quad Bike) was a valuable asset. It had also assisted the "marketing" initiative having lead the procession at the Whitwell Carnival and at the Vaisakhi Festival in Hitchin. |
Noted | ||
| 12 |
NORTH HERTS NEW RECYCLING AND WASTE SERVICES The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services and the Service Manager - Waste Management gave a presentation. They described the changes to the waste and recycling service and the imminent process of rolling out the new service. The Chairman thanked the officers for the presentation. It was noted that: - rigid plastic could be recycled ("bottles, pots, tubs and trays") except for polystyrene blocks and chips; - soft plastics (bags, film, expanded polystyrene) could not be recycled; - fears that the smaller (25%) general waste (purple) bin may overflow would be an initial concern quickly allayed because within the overall new recycling offer is capacity for "increased volume reduction"; - the existing black bins would not be cleaned for two reasons. The cost of £750,000 was prohibitive and there were insufficient bin cleaning companies in the area for the task to be completed in a reasonable time; - on-going funding arrangements depend upon the level of public co-operation. Costs would fall once the 60% recycling target had been reached; - households with large gardens had been able to enjoy the use of two bins for garden waste. In future they would be restricted to one. Garden waste was an additional cost to NHDC and a target for reduction. Such households would be encouraged to set up garden composting arrangements. The Recycling Team would be on hand to advise; - the colour purple was chosen for the new bin because it was distinctive and more durable than pink or white, the only other colours, realistically, available. |
Noted | ||
| 13 |
CHAMPION NEWS AND FINANCE REPORT Report Appendix 1 - Budgets Appendix 2 Appendix 3 - Rural Grants Fund 2013 Appendix 4 - Rural Grants Awards 2012 - 13 The Committee considered a report of the Head of Policy and Community Services. The Community Development Manager highlighted aspects including Paragraph 7.1 - the Southern Rural grant allocation, which had increased due to a larger resident population reported within data and statistics emerging from 2011 Census; It was noted that: - there had been no response regarding the list of highways issues formulated at the meeting held on 28 March and raised with the County Council; - the Community Development Manager would request a formal response about the list and advise County Cllr Terry Douris about the issues; - County Cllr Hunter would consider proposed schemes, listed within his division (Great Ashby), for inclusion on his county "locality" listing; - the contribution, at meetings, from County Councillors about highways matters was invaluable however, issues raised, should also be the subject of formal reports from County Highways/NHDC Transport Policy, officer(s); - the Community Development Manager would seek to formalise technical officer input on highways issues; RESOLVED: (1) That the activities and schemes with which the Community Development Officer has been involved be noted; (2) That the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry forwards within the Area Committee Discretionary budget spreadsheet be noted; (3) That the Community Development Manager be requested to liaise with the Transport Officer in order to formalise technical input on highways issues. REASON FOR DECISION: To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in the Southern Rural Area. |
Agreed | ||
| 14 |
GRANT APPLICATION - ST IPPOLYTS - DOG FOULING WASTE BIN Following complaints from residents, the Council's Enforcement Officer had concluded that the area containing Brick Kiln Lane and Prior Way, Gosmore, Hitchin, would benefit from the installation of a Dog Fouling Waste Bin. The NHDC Grounds Maintenance Budget 2013/14 could not meet this additional provision. RESOLVED: That £400 be allocated to purchase and install, in St Ippolyts Parish, a waste bin from the Area Discretionary Budget - 2013/14, subject to St. Ippolyts Parish Council agreeing to meet the on-going maintenance cost of emptying the bin. REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||