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 7th November 2006.
2 Minutes. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 7th November 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: Councillor J M Sadler declared a personal interest in Minute No. 48 by virtue of his membership of the Huntingdonshire Volunteer Bureau. |
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HEALTHY LIFESTYLES PROJECTS To receive a presentation by representatives of the Community and Environmental Health Services Division on the Healthy Lifestyles Projects in which the Council is involved.
30 Minutes. Contact: C Lloyd 388290 Minutes: The Panel received a presentation on the healthy lifestyles projects in which the Council was involved. The Lifestyles Manager, Mr C Lloyd, began by referring to a definition and a model of the determinants of health. The Council had three Sections working in the areas of neighbourhoods, lifestyles and communities and it was stressed that much of the work could not be undertaken effectively without input from partner agencies. Having referred to the national policy context and the Council’s corporate priorities, Mr Lloyd went on to discuss the work that was undertaken to assess local need, the projects in detail and financial aspects of the work. He concluded by referring to future plans for the projects, which included increased monitoring, joint working and involvement with communities.
Mrs V Martin, the Health Improvement Officer, addressed the Panel on the duties of her post, which was jointly funded by the Council and the Primary Care Trust. She referred in detail to the ward based analysis of need she undertook, the ways in which she aimed to meet the objectives of the Hunts for Good Food Project by teaching practical skills and the evaluation undertaken. Having also discussed the obesity and health referral programmes, she outlined her intention to pursue further initiatives in the fields of environmental health and mental health. Mr D Smith, Community Initiatives Manager, concluded the presentation by providing details of the resources involved in the work with the voluntary sector on health. The Council contributed £87,000 of grant funding to this work but, through partnership, the total value of this work was £310,000.
In the ensuing discussion, Members referred to financial aspects of the projects, in particular, the procedures involved in obtaining lottery funding. They also noted the positive feedback received from the Police regarding the role of the projects in diverting offenders from anti-social behaviour. In response to concerns at the possible withdrawal by the Primary Care Trust of funding for the projects, the Panel was informed that assurances had been received that current work commitments would be met.
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000 - FORWARD PLAN A copy of the current Forward Plan, which was published on 16th November 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 for the Leader for the period 1st December 2006 to 31st March 2007. Following a question by Councillor D A Giles and explanation by Mr R Preston, the Panel agreed that an item on Small Scale Environmental Improvements 2007/2008 should be considered at its next meeting prior to its submission to the Cabinet. As a result of further enquiries by Members, the Central Services Manager undertook, in order to ascertain whether any in-depth scrutiny was required, to circulate details on items relating to a Review of Fees for Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation, the Adoption of Powers Under the Health Act 2006, A14 Improvements – Highways Agency Consultation and Grant Aid to Voluntary Communities and Organisations. |
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DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME To consider and comment on the draft Disability Equality Scheme prior to its submission to the Cabinet and to discuss further the scope of the study on disability access.
20 Minutes. Contact: L Sboui 388032 Additional documents:
Minutes: (Councillor A Hansard, Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, was in attendance for this item).
Councillor Hansard informed the Panel of the background to a report by the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking approval for a Disability Equality Scheme and associated Action Plan. The scheme was the result of a new duty placed on the Council to promote disability equality, which followed a review of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The Scheme was required to monitor and promote the interests of those with disabilities. Members also were informed of the research that had been undertaken to inform the preparation of the Scheme and Action Plan by way of consultation with focus groups and a postal survey distributed to disability support groups.
In response to a question by Councillor Mrs M Banerjee, Councillor Hansard informed Members that 13.5% of residents of the District had a health problem or disability, a figure which was decreasing. Members then discussed enforcement of parking in disabled bays. Whilst this was not the responsibility of the Council, as part of the recommendations of the Action Plan, these issued had been referred to the Police and the County Council. Having also discussed gaps in provision of equal access to services and information, it was
RESOLVED
that the Disability Equality Scheme be endorsed for submission to the Cabinet.
Pursuant to Minute No. 44 (b), the Panel went on to discuss the report in the context of the study on disability access. Arising from reservations over the extent of the research carried out to inform the Scheme, Members agreed that they should carry out further consultation within their wards to inform the study. Following further expressions of concern regarding the condition of the hardscape and parking enforcement, it also was agreed to invite representatives of the County Council and of the Police to discuss these matters in more detail. In addition, Councillor J M Sadler suggested that the Town Centre Management Initiatives might be encouraged to lobby their members to enforce parking allocated for use by those with disabilities adjacent to their premises. |
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THE NOTTINGHAM DECLARATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE This item has been added to the Agenda at the request of the Chairman. A copy of a report, which was submitted to the Cabinet on 19th October 2006, is attached for consideration. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The Panel gave consideration to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change, which, following authorisation by the Cabinet, had recently been signed by the Leader and the Chief Executive on behalf of the Council. By way of introduction, the Head of Technical Services, Mr R Preston, informed Members of the terms of the Declaration, the main one of which was to commit the Council to reducing carbon emissions over a two year period.
In response to a question by Councillor D A Giles, Mr Preston informed the Panel that an Environment Strategy was due to be submitted to the Cabinet early in 2007, which was likely to contain three main elements: “greening” the business, the Council as service provider and encouraging behavioural change. Members also discussed the energy efficiency of the Council’s estate and the implications of the Environment Strategy for the Local Development Framework. With regard to the latter, it was reported that the Core Strategy would contain a number of measures relating to the environmental impact of development and that changes in Building Regulations would improve the energy performance of new properties. However, a significant number of existing properties in the District were poor in environmental terms and would benefit from improvement works. The Panel noted that further discussion on how the Environment Strategy would be scrutinised would be addressed at the Joint Chairman’s meeting the following day. |
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STUDIES |
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To consider a report by the Head of Administration on the Panel’s programme of studies.
20 Minutes. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Additional documents: Minutes: Further to Minute No. 44 (a), the Panel gave consideration to a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the programme of studies and subject areas for further investigation. With regard to the study on leisure centres, it was felt that, given the work that was already being undertaken by officers in this area, it should not be pursued at the present time. Members also clarified their purpose in undertaking studies into the Olympics, which was to look at the tourism opportunities it presented and clarification on parking policies, which was to examine the effect on estates of policies in this area as a result of overflow from public car parks. Having identified home energy efficiency, the adoption of roads and sewers and grant aid as priority study areas, Members discussed the remit of the latter. It was intended to look at the whole process including small scale environmental improvements, conduct site visits to assess the effectiveness of grants awarded to date and identify other potential need for grant aid. |
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As requested at the last meeting, to consider a report by the Head of Administration to which is attached information previously submitted to the Panel on the markets service.
15 Minutes. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: Pursuant to Minute No. 44 (a), the Panel reviewed information on the markets service, which had been presented to a previous meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources) (Minute No. 04/35 refers). Owing to the significant income generated by the service, it was felt that a further study should be carried out in this area. For this purpose Members requested up to date information on the uptake of market pitches, the promotion and operation of the markets and identification of best practice elsewhere. It was agreed that the continental and farmers markets and the role of the Town Centre Initiatives should be included in the study. |
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OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL (SERVICE DELIVERY) - PROGRESS To consider a report by the Head of Administration on decisions taken by the Panel.
10 Minutes. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel received and noted a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) giving details of action taken in response to recent discussions and decisions and reviewing the programme of studies. Members noted progress with the Older Persons and Town Centre Cleaning Working Groups. |
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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.
10 Minutes. Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The 68th edition of the Decision Digest was received and noted.
Following a question by Councillor J S Watt, the Central Services Manager undertook to inform Members of responsibilities for designation and maintenance of footpaths and bridleways in villages. |