Venue: THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, PATHFINDER HOUSE, ST MARY'S STREET, HUNTINGDON PE29 3TN
Contact: Mr A Roberts Democratic Services Officer, Tel 01480 388009 / email Anthony.Roberts@huntsdc.gov.uk
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 6th September 2006.
2 Minutes. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 6th September 2006 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
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MEMBERS' INTERESTS To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda item. Please see Notes 1 and 2 below.
2 Minutes. Minutes: No declarations were received. |
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000 - FORWARD PLAN A copy of the current Forward Plan, which was published on 11th September 2006, is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.
15 Minutes. Contact: R Reeves 388003 Minutes: The Panel considered the current Forward Plan of Key Decisions (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which had been prepared by the Leader for the period 1st October 2006 to 31st January 2007. In response to a question by Councillor Mrs M Banerjee, the Central Services Manager clarified the allocation of two items between the Overview and Scrutiny Panels on the County Council’s Minerals and Waste Preferred Options and the Waste PFI County-wide Partnering Agreement. |
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"GROWING SUCCESS" - CORPORATE PLAN To consider a report by the Head of Policy on progress with the review of the Corporate Plan and comment on the aims contained therein.
60 Minutes. Contact: I Leatherbarrow 388005 Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel gave consideration to a report by the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the review of the Corporate Plan. Members were acquainted with the background to and progress of the review to-date.
The Panel considered in detail the Council and Community aims contained in the Plan, which fell within its remit. With regard to the Community aim “housing that meets local need”, Members commented on the current system for bringing empty homes into use and on affordable housing. They then suggested that the objectives to enable the provision of affordable housing and to achieve a low level of homelessness should be the Council’s short term priorities within this area.
In discussing the Community aim “safe, vibrant and inclusive communities”, the Panel received details of the Council’s current provision of and future plans for community centres. Members identified work to ensure that communities are inclusive as a priority and referred to the success of the existing community centres throughout the District.
The Panel identified the promotion of health lifestyle choices as a priority under the Community aim “healthy living”. Following a question by Councillor J E Garner on the involvement of the Primary Care Trust, Members were advised that the Corporate Plan referred only to the Council’s activities.
The Panel also concluded that to make our performance management effective and more transparent and to provide good quality Council buildings should be priorities under the Council’s aim “to continually improve our systems and practices”. However, Members recognised the difficulties in devising targets for their leadership role; it was suggested that public perception of Councillors roles and the degree to which the public were familiar with this might form part of the target. |
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TOWN CENTRE CLEANING To receive a presentation by the Head of Operations, which will form the first stage of the study on Town Centre Cleaning regimes.
20 Minutes. Contact: R Ward 388635 Minutes: (Councillor J W Davies was in attendance for consideration of this item).
Councillor J W Davies addressed the Panel on town centre cleaning. He informed Members that he had suggested this as an area of study because he had reported concerns over the cleanliness of St. Ives a number of times in the past. The principle problems were the grease that resulted from growing number of takeaways and chewing gum build up. The use of lighter materials for environmental improvements made them more visible, and, as a result, more frequent cleaning was required.
The Panel then received a presentation by Mr R Ward, Head of Operations, on the Council’s current town centre cleaning arrangements. Mr Ward referred to the cleaning programmes and the human and mechanical resources employed. He also outlined the specific measures taken to deal with the effects of Saturday nights, markets and other special events and graffiti and chewing gum removal. Mr Ward then referred to the increases in the level and frequency of cleaning undertaken by the Council and the resulting high levels of cleanliness of the District, which was reflected in independent assessments and in Best Value Performance Indicators. He concluded by acquainting Members with the service’s budget and his plans to introduce a cleanliness policy and enforcement initiative to encourage producer responsibility for the litter and grease generated.
In the ensuing discussion members acknowledged the improvements that had been achieved in the cleaning service, but, in view of the rise of the Sunday economy and, in particular, tourism in the area, it was felt that comprehensive cleaning should be undertaken on Sunday mornings. Members noted the financial implications of this suggestion, with the likely increase in staff costs.
The Panel discussed cleaning undertaken following markets held in St. Neots. Members noted that various measures had been undertaken to try to involve the owner of the market rights in cleaning on market days without success. Mr Ward envisaged the new Enforcement Section would address some of these issues.
At the conclusion of the discussion Members formed the view that the cleaning service generally performed to a high standard but that improvements be made in the two areas discussed. It, therefore, was decided to establish a Working Group to look at the need for and implications of introducing cleaning in towns on Sundays to promote tourism and the Sunday economy. The Working Group also was asked to look at the Council’s role in relation to enforcement of waste creation and removal on market days.
RESOLVED
that a Working Group be established comprising Councillors J D Ablewhite, R W J Eaton and J W Davies to consider and make recommendations on town centre cleaning covering the areas outlined above. |
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GLASS RECYCLING To receive a presentation by the Head of Operations on glass recycling, which will form the first stage of the study on this subject.
20 Minutes. Contact: R Ward 388635 Minutes: The Panel received a presentation by Mr R Ward, Head of Operations, on kerbside collection of glass. Members were informed that the Council’s current recycling scheme, in the last quarter, diverted 52% of waste from landfill. They also were acquainted with the financial and environmental reasons for adopting a “co-mingled” recycling system rather than sort materials at the kerbside. The Council did not, at present, collect glass but did have 110 mini recycling centres around the District to which glass could be taken for recycling. Currently 3,000 tonnes of glass were recycled in this way but 2,000 tonnes of glass went to landfill through refuse collections. Mr Ward then informed the Panel of trials being undertaken of machinery that could extract glass from waste collected at the kerbside; however, he stressed that the machinery would need to be proven to be reliable before the introduction of glass into the kerbside collections could be considered.
Members discussed the current recycling arrangements in detail. In view of the fact that trials were being undertaken into glass recycling and of the ongoing review of the mini-recycling centres, the Panel felt that the current progress on this matter was satisfactory and requested an update as issues developed. |
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TWINNING To receive an oral report on the findings of the Working Group which is looking at the Council’s twinning activities.
10 Minutes. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: (Councillor Mrs J Chandler, Executive Councillor with responsibility for Leisure was in attendance for this item).
Councillor J D Ablewhite informed the Panel of the outcome of discussions by the Working Group undertaking the study into the Council’s twinning link with Landkreis Marburg-Biedenkopf. While the Council, at present, did little in relation to twinning, it was stressed that the link was with the whole of the District and many groups still remained active. Having referred to an event in which the Council had declined to participate and which appeared to have resulted in the cessation of the customary invitation for a delegation of Huntingdonshire to visit Germany, Councillor Ablewhite drew Members’ attention to the Working Group’s recommendations.
Councillor Mrs Chandler reiterated that the whole of the District was involved in twinning and expressed the view that should an invitation be forthcoming from the Landkreis the opportunity should be taken to discuss future arrangements during the visit.
Having discussed the budget provision for twinning, it was
RESOLVED
that the recommendations of the Twinning Working Group be endorsed as follows:-
· should any invitation be forthcoming from the Landkreis, it and the terms of any acceptance would be considered at that time; · the saving of £5,000 identified by the Overview and Scrutiny Chairmen as part of the Financial Strategy should be supported. This would leave a budget of £5,000; · if not used, this budget should not be rolled-over to the next financial year; · given the position of the review of the Financial Strategy it is premature to reach final conclusions until the review has been completed. In the absence of any implications if the Council were not actively to pursue its twinning links, no changes to the current arrangements should be made; · the current agreement should not be terminated but not actively pursued; and · should termination of the existing arrangements be considered the twinning partner should be consulted. |
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OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL (SERVICE DELIVERY AND RESOURCES) - PROGRESS To consider a report by the Head of Administration on decisions taken by the Panel.
15 Minutes. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The Panel received and noted a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing action taken in response to recent discussions and decisions by the Panel and reviewing the programme of studies. With regard to the study on services for older people, it was agreed that the Working Group should meet with the Leisure Centres Co-ordinator to discuss the submission of further information to the Cabinet. |
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SCRUTINY To scrutinise decisions taken since the last meeting as set out in the Decision Digest (TO FOLLOW) and to raise any other matters for scrutiny that fall within the remit of the Panel.
15 Minutes. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: In receiving and noting the 66th edition of the Decision Digest and in response to a question by Councillor J D Ablewhite, it was confirmed that under the Travel Plan it was proposed that concessions would not currently be available in town centre car parks for Members and staff. |