Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gerald Morris.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gerald Morris.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on the 29 November 2017.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Royston and District Committee meeting held on 29 November 2017 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Royston and District Committee meeting held on 29 November 2017 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

Members should notify the Chairman of other business which they wish to be discussed by the Committee at the end of the business set out in the agenda. They must state the circumstances which they consider justify the business being considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chairman will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered.

There was no other business notified.

There was no other business notified.

Members are 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.

(1)  The Chairman welcomed those present, particularly PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) Penny Tomsett and PCSO Charlie Crichton from Hertfordshire Constabulary;

(2)  The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded; and

(3)  The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

(1)  The Chairman welcomed those present, particularly PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) Penny Tomsett and PCSO Charlie Crichton from Hertfordshire Constabulary;

(2)  The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded; and

(3)  The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

To receive a presentation from Sergeant Guy Westwood, Hertfordshire Constabulary.

PCSO Penny Tomsett (Hertfordshire Constabulary) thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal update of the report of Sergeant Guy Westwood on the issues being addressed by the Hertfordshire Constabulary in the Royston and District area.

RESOLVED:

(1)          That Sergeant Guy Westwood be requested to supply and forward crime statistics to the Communities Officer of this Committee via email;

(2)          That the Communities Officer liaise with Parking Enforcement at NHDC, requesting their assistance with lawful and appropriate parking during peak times in hotspots known to the Police and in Royston Town Centre;

(3)          That the Communities Officer liaise with Environmental Health at NHDC, requesting their assistance to work with the Police, to encourage buskers to re-situate to more suitable unpopulated by business areas.

REASON FOR DECISION: To keep the Royston and District Committee apprised of the work of the Hertfordshire Constabulary.

PCSO Penny Tomsett (Hertfordshire Constabulary) thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal update of the report of Sergeant Guy Westwood on the issues being addressed by the Hertfordshire Constabulary in the Royston and District area as follows:

Staffing News

That North Herts CSP (Community Safety Partnership) was still headed up by Chief Inspector Julie Wheatley; and the SNT (Safer Neighbourhood Team) Inspector remained to be Richard Lilley, who joined them last year.

The local Sergeant was still Guy Westwood, who sent his apologies that he couldn’t be at Royston and District Area Committee that evening.

Royston Urban PC’s were Pete Cook and Jo Cattley, who had joined the team in December 2016, and Mark Ellwood was the Rural PC. Mark had been with the team for many years now.

It was reported that there had been a very positive change, in that they had four PCSO’s on the team, which allowed for two urban and two rural officers, enabling better follow-up on crimes, and gave more visibility.  The PCSO team was made up of Robyn Allen for the town, which had recently been joined by Charlie Crichton, who had joined them just after Christmas.  Charlie was very keen and seemed to have settled in well.  Sadly, however, Robyn was leaving on Friday 23 March, having joined BTP, (British Transport Police) which would put them back to three PCSOs.  Penny Tomsett was moving back to cover areas of the town and some of the rural, just until they had a new PCSO in position within the town to work alongside Charlie.

The rural team of PCSOs was made up of Chris Brabrook and Penny Tomsett.

Local Priorities

Local Priorities remained unchanged – Burglary, Speeding and ASB (Anti-Social Behaviour).  It was reported that when people had expressed an opinion on what they should focus on, those three subjects usually came high on the agenda.  It was noted that they were open to changing the local priorities, and having Priority Setting Meetings if anyone was interested, and of course people could email them any concerns or ideas.

ANPR Cameras

It was stated that the long awaited ANPR cameras were all set up and working – the locations were:-

East bound and West bound Newmarket Road, Royston

North bound and South bound Melbourn Road, Royston

This had been part of a strategic review of ANPR across Herts, Beds and Cambs.  There had been other cameras that had been put in across the area, but that was all Royston were allowed to have, for the legal reasons discussed at last year’s meeting.  It had been good news that these cameras were in place but was not the be all and end all of policing.  The reason being, many criminals were camera aware and they would disguise their number plates, or use stolen or fake ones, which they would often change.

Crime trends

It was reported that the whole country was currently suffering an increase in theft  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

There was no public participation under this item.

There was no public participation under this item.

The Chairman to lead a discussion regarding any issues raised, including current and proposed highways schemes.

The Committee was informed of ongoing and forthcoming highways matters in the Royston area.

RESOLVED: 

(1)       That the Gritting Team, who regularly go beyond the call of duty, be thanked for all of their efforts and hard work.

(2)       That the Pothole Team be thanked for all of their hard work and efforts.

(3)       That the verbal update on highways issues be noted.

The Committee was informed of ongoing and forthcoming highways matters in the Royston area as follows:-

-           There had been a positive response from the joint Town, District and County Councillor working party in response to the Local Transport Plan being prepared by the County Council.

-           Further to consultations, confirmation was given that the crossing in York Way would be implemented soon.

-           There was a safety audit being carried out on the level crossing in Baldock Street to establish the requirement of any additional features or signage.

-           The Integrated Works Programme was being finalised and results of the feasibility study on the A505 were expected by the end of March.

-           Locality Budget – all of the schemes for 2017/18 were complete and the 2018/19 works would soon commence.

RESOLVED: 

(1)       That the Gritting Team, who regularly go beyond the call of duty, be thanked for all of their efforts and hard work.

(2)       That the Pothole Team be thanked for all of their hard work and efforts.

(3)       That the verbal update on highways issues be noted.

REPORT OF THE COMMUNITIES OFFICER

To receive an update on activities in Royston and surrounding Districts.

RESOLVED:

(1)     That, in principle, the grant of £2,500 be awarded to Royston First, subject to officers receiving the appropriate supporting documentation and provided to Royston & District Area Committee in line with the Authority’s grant criteria, and as detailed in Paragraph 8.1.1 of the report;

(2)     That any unspent funds from the 2017/18 financial year be allocated to Community Initiatives;

(3)     That the Communities Officer be thanked for all of his work that he carries out within the community; and

(4)     That the actions taken by the Communities Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Royston and District be endorsed.

REASON FOR DECISION:To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in the Royston and District area.

The Communities Officer presented the report of the Communities Manager entitled Community Update.  He drew the attention of Members to the information detailed in Appendix 1 Royston Area Committee Budget which related to the Area Budget balances for 2017/18.  He confirmed there was no carry forward of unallocated funds from the 2016/17 financial year.

The Communities Officer reported that Royston & District Area Committee had allocated £8,200 of its £10,700 budget for the 2017/18 year.  It was stated that this figure included £1,500 that had been allocated at the November 2017 meeting for the Free After 3pm Parking Initiative Scheme in Royston.  He detailed that as the Committee had already catered for the initiative in the current financial year, it was agreed that the £1,500 would be carried over to cover the initiative in 2018. The Communities Officer confirmed that the Committee had £2,500 left unallocated.

The Communities Officer stated, as detailed in Paragraph 8.1.1 of the report that Royston First was seeking funding support from the Royston & District Area Committee to assist with a new initiative within the town and surrounding villages to help reduce theft from vans, particularly in town centre locations and thefts from sheds and outbuildings in the rural areas.  That project was aimed at supporting previous victims of such crimes, and making them and others less likely to become victims of such crimes in the future.

A member made comment on Paragraph 8.1.6 regarding Festival of the Cave, she pointed out that a such a large scale event, which this may turn out to be, would have a big impact on streets due to use of many roads.  She suggested that Highways and Police be informed as soon as possible. The member also pointed out that County Council Locality Budgets would exist again for 2018/19.

Within paragraph 8.1.7 of the report of the Communities Manager, a member confirmed on the matter of a disabled access lift for Coombes Community Centre that a number of disabled people would like to hire a room in this venue, and how beneficial the addition of a lift to the Centre was.  It was stated that Community Centre could apply for funding from the NHDC Capital Improvement Budget.

RESOLVED:

(1)     That, in principle, the grant of £2,500 be awarded to Royston First, subject to officers receiving the appropriate supporting documentation and provided to Royston & District Area Committee in line with the Authority’s grant criteria, and as detailed in Paragraph 8.1.1 of the report;

(2)     That any unspent funds from the 2017/18 financial year be allocated to Community Initiatives;

(3)     That the Communities Officer be thanked for all of his work that he carries out within the community; and

(4)     That the actions taken by the Communities Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Royston and District be endorsed.

REASON FOR DECISION:To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in the Royston and District area.

To receive any oral reports from Members regarding Ward matters and Outside Organisations.

There were no ward or outside organisations members’ reports.

There were no ward or outside organisations members’ reports.