Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Customers and Partnerships) meeting held on 3rd February 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd Ferbruary 2022 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

A copy of the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.

The Panel received and noted the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book) which has been prepared by the Executive Leader for the period 1st March 2022 to 30th June 2022.

The Parking: Agency Agreement for Civil Parking Enforcement in Huntingdonshire is to be presented to the Panel.

By means of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Parking: Agency Agreement for Civil Parking Enforcement in Huntingdonshire report was presented to the Panel.

It was clarified to the Panel, following a question from Councillor D’Souza, that CPZ referred to Controlled Parking Zones, which were mentioned in the agreement, although there are none in the district at present, this ensures that they will be covered by the agreement should such zones be introduced in the future.

In response to a further question from Councillor D’Souza, it was explained that where on street parking fees be collected on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC), an administration fee was kept by the Council and the remainder returned to CCC, with the proviso that it be investing within Huntingdonshire on parking enforcement.

The Panel also heard that existing parking enforcement officers would be retained and additional vacancies created within the team to meet the anticipated demand created by this agreement.

In response to a question from Councillor Mrs Wilson, the Panel were assured that the 3C Legal Team had been involved in the creation of the agreement to ensure it remained robust and covered eventualities in case of termination by other parties.

Following questions from Councillor Gardener and Councillor Mrs Wilson, the Panel heard that some road markings within the district are classed as being in acceptable condition, however work would be undertaken where marking fall below this standard to ensure that all signs and lines within the district would be to an acceptable standard and in addition be digitally catalogued.

The Panel were reassured that lone working policies and risk assessments would be carried out following concern from Councillor Alban. Assurances were also made that personal security solutions would also be investigated to ensure safety of staff prior to the commencement of the agreement.

The Panel were advised that should CCC terminate the agreement, then responsibility would revert back to them as they hold statutory responsibility.

Following an enquiry from Councillor West, the Panel heard that legislation surrounding pavement parking was in the process of being updated, but the Panel were assured that where able to, under the legislation, parking offences on pavements would be enforced.

Councillor Gardener enquired regarding the maintenance of highway markings and the Panel heard that where it can be demonstrated that markings have fallen below an acceptable standard and are affecting enforcement of offences, lost revenue could be reclaimed.

The Panel were reminded that should individual towns and parishes wish to apply for highways markings, applications should be made to CCC under the Local Highways Improvement Scheme.

The Panel were also advised that a comprehensive communications plan would be in place once the agreement has been approved.

Having welcomed the report, the Panel thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations contained within the report.

The COVID Recovery – Shaping the Future report is to be presented to the Panel.

By means of a report by the Assistant Director Recovery and Recovery Programme Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the COVID Recovery – Shaping the Future report was presented to the Panel.

Following a question from Councillor D’Souza regarding the diagram on page 68 of the report on the lack of significant impacts under the good work area, the Panel heard that this was due to the interventions rolled out to businesses. Whilst residents had been adversely affected by the pandemic, businesses had not faired as badly due to Government assistance, for example: Furlough, Business grants etc. so the impacts for businesses had been much less. The Panel were reassured that partnership working with the Combined Authority and their Growth Hub was being undertaken to ensure the best outcome for residents in terms of improvements to skills and employability and Cambridgeshire County Council through Cambridgeshire Skills, adult and community learning service.

Following a further question from Councillor D’Souza on the scope of projects in Appendix B, the Panel were advised some projects were directly delivered by the Recovery programme and others were delivered by our partners. The committee were also advised of the practical interventions that the Council continues to be involved with through jobs club provision and work with the DWP including the successful Kick Start project.

Councillor Gardener commented on the increase in active travel within the district, in particular the local bus services being run in conjunction with the Combined Authority. The Panel heard that the model presented was one of close working with key partners which allowed access to baseline data highlighting the impact and trajectory of trends even if there was no statutory duty on the district.

Councillor Alban provided anecdotal evidence of local businesses who had positive feedback on business grants that they had benefitted from. The Panel heard that the team were acutely aware of qualitative analysis and ensured that data collected was fed into the evidence base and the next Impact Assessment.

Councillors West and Councillor Mrs Wilson praised the report and stated that it gave confidence for future working. The Panel heard that the impact assessment was being undertaken for a third time to ensure early indicators were flagged and to better allow for future forecasting.

Having welcomed the report, it was thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations contained within the report.

The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme is to be presented to the Panel.

With the aid of a report by the Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme was presented to the Panel.