Venue: Council Chamber, Pathfinder House, St Mary's Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN
Contact: A Roberts, Democratic Services Officer, Tel No 01480 388009/e-mail: Anthony.Roberts@huntsdc.gov.uk
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PROPOSED STUKELEY MEADOWS SKATE PARK To note that under Section 16 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained in the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman agreed to the inclusion of an urgent item of business on the Cabinet Agenda for 22nd November 2007 relating to the proposed Stukeley Meadows Skate Park to enable consent to be given to commit funds to the development of a skate park in Stukeley Meadows, in advance of the formal approval of the medium-term plan in February
2 Minutes Minutes: The Chairman reported that, in accordance with Article 16 of the Access to Information Procedures contained in the Council's Constitution, consent had been given for the Proposed Stukeley Meadows Skate Park to be submitted as an item of urgency to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22nd November 2007. Members were reminded that Article 16 required the Chairman to report on his action to the next ensuing meeting of the Panel. |
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 6th November 2007.
2 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 6th November 2007 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 16th November 2007, is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.
10 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 December 2007 to 31st March 2008. Members were informed that the Chairmen of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels would determine the best way to deal with the Consultation and Engagement, Marketing and Communications and Customer Service Strategies. An item on kerbside recycling would be incorporated into the Environment Strategy for consideration at a future meeting. |
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DISABILITY ACCESS STUDY To consider a report on the results of a survey of District Council Members and Town and Parish Councils as part of the study on disability access in the District.
30 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 N Giles 387049 Additional documents:
Minutes: The Panel considered a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), which contained an analysis of responses received from Town and Parish Councils to a questionnaire on access for those with disabilities to premises, facilities and other sites in the District.
Having discussed the information provided by Town and Parish Councils, the Panel decided that the precise location of defective dropped kerbs and areas where dropped kerbs should be installed and their priority should be obtained from those who had responded to the survey. Once obtained they would be forwarded to the County Council either for action or identification of those areas that did not fall within its remit. On receipt of the latter, Town and Parish Councils would be informed accordingly. It also was decided that a similar exercise should be carried out on parking practices within the District, with the findings being forwarded to the Police for comment.
With regard to a comment from Councillor P K Ursell, the Central Services Manager undertook to investigate further the existence of the Disability ‘Blue’ Route Scheme that was implemented by the Council in previous years.
With regard to public transport services, Members agreed to forward to bus operators, comments concerning the need for more low level buses and issues surrounding training for public transport employees on the needs of those with disabilities. In addition, it was agreed to refer to the County Council a suggestion that those who cared for individuals with disabilities should be provided with free bus travel.
To inform Members future discussions on establishing a list of individuals and bodies to consult on Council practices and services, details of potential consultees representing local disability groups were requested for consideration at a future meeting.
Finally, Members requested that a representative of Directions Plus be invited to a future meeting to assist the discussions on the study. |
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STATE OF THE DISTRICT CONSULTATION WORKING GROUP To consider a progress report on the work of the State of the District Consultation Working Group.
10 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388098 Minutes: A report on progress by the State of the District Consultation Working Group (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) was received and noted. Members expressed concern that significant numbers of members of the public were unlikely to attend four meetings, especially given the associated costs of advertising and hiring venues. It was felt that initially only one of the area consultation events should be held in order to determine the level of public interest in such an event. Members requested that the Working Group was informed of their views. |
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PROMOTING HEALTH IN OLDER PEOPLE THROUGH PHYSICAL EXERCISE To consider a report on the Cabinet’s decisions in response to the Panel’s recommendations arising from the study on Promoting Health in Older People through Physical Exercise.
15 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Additional documents: Minutes: By means of a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) the Panel was acquainted with the Cabinet's decisions in response to recommendations following completion of the study on Promoting Better Health in Older People Through Physical Exercise. Arising from the Cabinet's request for further information, a number of anomalies in the report and the Vice-Chairman's interest in pursuing further a number of matters raised in the course of the study, the Working Group were requested to hold a further meeting with a view to concluding the study. |
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To receive and note a report on a recent decision by the Cabinet on Overview and Scrutiny’s input into the performance monitoring process.
10 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: With the aid of a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Panel was informed of a decision by the Cabinet to request that the views of the Corporate Plan Working Group be incorporated into future reports on the Council's performance under Growing Success. Members concurred with a suggestion that the Panel’s own comments should be forwarded to the Cabinet rather than those of the Corporate Plan Working Group. |
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OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL (SERVICE DELIVERY) - PROGRESS To consider a report by the Head of Administration on the Panel’s programme of studies.
10 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) which contained details of actions taken in response to recent discussions and decisions and reviewing the programme of studies.
The Central Services Manager undertook to clarify the timetable for future consideration of the Environment Strategy. Councillor Mrs C A Godley reported that the Roads and Sewers Working Group would be meeting with the Head of Planning Services and the Principal Building Control Officer to discuss its study.
Councillor P G Mitchell informed Members that the Grants Working Group had concluded its review of the Small Scale Environmental Improvements Scheme and that information was currently being collated on other grant schemes administered by the Council. |
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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: In receiving and noting the 78th edition of the Decision Digest, Councillor P G Mitchell reported that the Development Control Panel would be considering the Core Strategy: Preferred Options at its next meeting.
Councillor Mitchell went on to outline his views on the need to match the provisions of plans for future housing and employment levels in the District. It was pointed out that there would be an opportunity to discuss this matter in more detail at a future meeting of the Panel when the Sustainable Local Economy Strategy Action Plan would be considered. |