Agenda and minutes

The Chairman drew attention to the list of notices published on the back of the agenda.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H M Bass, Miss A M Beale, A T Cain, Mrs B D Harker and R Pratt.  In accordance with notice duly given Councillor M F L Durham was attending as substitute for Councillor Bass, Councillor Miss M R Lewis as a substitute for Councillor Cain and Councillor A S Fluker as a substitute for Councillor Pratt.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 November 2017, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED

(i)              that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 November 2017 be received.

Minute No. 605 – 2018 / 19 Revenue Budget, Capital Budget, Repairs and Renewals Reserve and Fees and Charges Policy

It was raised that the item regarding Tree Officer / Consultant did not refer to Members request for Officers to investigate opportunities for joint working in respect of the Council’s Tree Officer function.  It was agreed that this Minute and the resolution would be amended accordingly.

Minute 608 – Developing a Faith Covenant for Essex

The Director of Customers and Community sought clarification that the Committee had confirmed that it wished the Council to be a signatory to the Covenant.  This was confirmed and it was agreed that recommendation (ii) would be updated accordingly.

RESOLVED

(ii)            that subject to the above amendments, the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2017 be confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, other Pecuniary Interests or Non-Pecuniary Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 6-8 inclusive of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

Councillor M F L Durham declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Essex County Council.

Councillor A S Fluker declared in the interest of openness and transparency that he represented the Council as a Maldon Harbour Commissioner.

Councillor R G Boyce declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of an Almshouse Trust.

To receive the views of members of the public on items of business to be considered by the Committee (please see below):

1.               A period of ten minutes will be set aside.

2.               An individual may speak for no more than two minutes and will not be allowed to distribute or display papers, plans, photographs or other materials.

3.               Anyone wishing to speak must notify the Committee Clerk between 7.00pm and 7.20pm prior to the start of the meeting.

There was none.

The Chairman referred to the recently carried out work as part of a Community Payback Scheme to the Burnham-on-Crouch Cemetery and work by Trust for Conservation Volunteers at Oak Tree Meadow.

To receive a presentation from Places for People on the Leisure Contract.

The Committee received a presentation from Mark Taylor, Contract Manager at Places for People Leisure (PFPL).

Mr Taylor outlined a number of changes and enhancements that had taken place at Blackwater Leisure Centre and highlighted some further areas of improvement which were planned.  It was noted that PFPL had made a number of changes within the site i.e. LED lighting, which would result in ongoing savings.

The Chairman confirmed that a copy of the presentation would be sent electronically to Members after the meeting.

In response to a number of questions the following information was provided:

·                    There were a number of referral schemes supported by PFPL which included GP referrals, and Mr Taylor advised that they were working with Provide to improve the process.  PFPL were looking to introduce a further GP referral weight management programme to be run in conjunction with ACE.

·                    Mr Taylor advised of a new scheme the Leisure Centre was piloting which when a member attended the gym would highlight, for example if the member had not used the gym for a few weeks and trigger an instructor to go over and talk to them and identify any needs.  The importance of interaction between members and instructors was recognised.

·                    It was questioned whether the Sense of Place branding was in use at the Leisure Centres and in response to information from Mr Taylor it was agreed that the Director of Customers and Community would discuss use of the Sense of Place branding at the Leisure Centres.

·                    Mr Taylor agreed in future reports to provide the Committee with a breakdown of complaints received.

It was requested that when future presentations were made to the Committee that a clear correlation was shown between Blackwater Leisure Centre and the Dengie One Hundred Centre.  Mr Taylor agreed to circulate such figures to Members.

The Chairman thanked Mr Taylor for his presentation and attending the meeting.

To consider the report of the Director of Customers and Community (copy enclosed) and to receive a presentation from Essex Police.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Customers and Community advising Members of the local consultation currently being undertaken by Essex Police in relation to the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras in the Maldon District and current performance.

The Essex Police Rural Crime Strategy 2017 had recently been launched and was attached as Appendix 1 to the report, showing an example of joint working between Essex Police, the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and the Essex Rural Partnership. 

The Committee received a presentation from Russell Bush, ANPR Intelligence Supervisor and Guy Fletcher, ANPR Manager for Kent and Essex.  Members were provided with detailed information including:

·                  The operation, use and benefits of ANPR cameras across the District, Essex and beyond.  Members were advised of the current crime trends and how the continued use of ANPR cameras helped to make Essex safer.  Some Police investigations were referred to and how the use of ANPR cameras had led to successful arrests.

·                  Funding streams were in place to continue the use of ANPR cameras in the District;

·                  The location of ANPR cameras throughout the District and how the identification of routes offenders may take were being used to tackle rural crime.  It was noted that Essex Police had a number of temporary cameras which were used in response to crime issues along with mobile ANPR units.

·                  How the data was captured was used including its compliance with Essex Police rules and regulations which were promoted by the Home Office. 

·                  A Privacy Impact Assessment on the use of ANPR cameras was being undertaken and Members were advised that their comments and thoughts on this were welcome.  It was noted that this was the largest data gathering activity across the UK and the Police were engaging with communities etc. to seek support.

·                  Information gathered from Essex ANPR cameras was shared with other colleagues including Police forces outside of the County.

There was some discussion regarding equipping Police vehicles with ANPR cameras and the benefits of this.  It was noted that there was a fleet of ANPR equipped vehicles with plans to increase the current number of vehicles and alternative sources of funding were being sought.  Members discussed this and it was felt that more mobile ANPR units within mobile policing units were required and that the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner should be lobbied for additional funding to support ANPR.

The Chairman thanked the Officers for attending the meeting.

RESOLVED

(i)                  that the contents of the report be noted;

(ii)                that overall the ongoing development and deployment of Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) in the Maldon District be noted;

(iii)               that Essex Police be requested to note the following feedback from Members:

a.       the desire to see more mobile ANPR units within mobile policing units.

b.       that the Police and Fire Crime Commissioner be lobbied for additional funding to support ANPR.

Councillor Miss S White left the meeting at this point and did not return.

To consider the report of the Director of Customers and Community, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Customers and Community supplying Members with details of performance against targets set for 2017 / 18 and to ensure that progress was being achieved towards the corporate goals and the outcomes detailed in the Corporate Plan 2015 – 19 adopted by the Council in February 2015 and updated in April 2017.

Appendix 1 to the report detailed each of the corporate goals, with the activities aligned to this Committee highlighted.  A number of achievements made during 2017 were set out in the report along with complaints and compliments received.

A question was raised regarding whether there had been any change in the rate of people reporting crime through the desk service now offered by the Police at the Council office in comparison to when operated from the Police Station.  In response, the Community Safety Partnership Manager agreed to follow this up with Chief Inspector Ronnie Egan who had agreed at a recent Overview and Scrutiny Committee (meeting as the Crime and Disorder Committee) to provide some statistics on this.  It was clarified at this point that RAG stood for Responsible Authorities Group and Members were provided with further information regarding the work of this group.

Councillor R G Boyce declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item of business, specifically the Key Corporate Activity (KCA) regarding cooperating work with housing associations, as he was a member of an Almshouse Trust.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed that the KCA Coordinate work with housing associations and developers to provide affordable housing and meeting the identified requirements for older persons’ independent living within the District, be split into two.  This was to allow monitoring of the delivery of sociable and affordable housing and also monitoring of the provision of independent living.  He advised that he felt these were different and should be monitored separately as they were high risks to the Council.  In response the Director of Customers and Community advised that whilst this was possible the report related to the 2017 / 18 plan and he would look at what was being proposed for the 2018 / 19 plan.

A question was raised regarding assisting persons coming into the area to purchase properties and protecting properties such as listed buildings, the Chairman advised that empty homes was to be considered as an item of scrutiny by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

In response to a question regarding the number of empty homes in excess of five years, the Director of Customers and Community advised he would seek this information from the Strategic Housing Manager and circulate to Members accordingly.

Councillor Miss M R Lewis proposed that for those issues where additional information had been requested this be reported to the next meeting of the Committee.  This was agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)                 that the information set out in the report and appendix be noted;

(ii)               that the Key Corporate Activity - Coordinate work with housing associations and developers to provide affordable housing and meeting the identified  ...  view the full minutes text for item 739.

To consider the report of the Director of Customers and Community, (copy enclosed).

The Committee received the report of the Director of Customers and Community providing Members with an update on events held on Council owned land during the 2017 season and an overview of the support provided by the Council.  The report also sought consideration of whether the Council should review its current land hire policy to assist in covering the cost of events. 

The events programme for 2017 was attached as Appendix 1 and a number of key events were highlighted in the report.  It was noted that the programme continued to grow and Members’ noted the work required by the Council to facilitate such events as well as making sure that activities were safe for the public to enjoy. 

Members were advised that there was a need to simplify land charges and apply them consistency, specific reference was made in the report to events making donations to charities to avoid hire charges. Officers were therefore suggesting that a review of current event and land hire policies and charges be undertaken and brought back to Members for consideration.  In response to a question, the Director of Customers and Community clarified that a report would be brought to this Committee in the spring and any changes to fees and charges policy would have to be recommended to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee.

Councillor M F L Durham proposed that an Events Member Task and Finish Working Group be set up as soon as possible.  In response the Chairman advised that he believed this Group had already been set up in which case no action was required by this Committee.

In response to a question regarding the review of the existing events policy, the Director of Customers and Community advised that he would confirm the timescale for this.

RESOLVED

(i)                  that the contents of the 2017 Events Programme be noted;

(ii)                that the existing events policy be reviewed by Officer for future consideration by Members

To resolve that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that this satisfies the public interest test.

RESOLVED that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that this satisfies the public interest test.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive which provided an update on progress of the Maldon Health Hub Project, further detail on the proposed service model and the Council’s role in the future delivery of the project.

The Chairman informed the Committee that the paragraph referred to in recommendation (ii) of the report, was incorrect and this should be amended to 3.6.1.

The report highlighted the ongoing work by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the NHS in respect of the Maldon Health Hub project which was now at the Outline Business Case stage. 

Members’ were advised of work that the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP), made up of different NHS organisations and Council’s across Essex.  The STP were working on a plan to improve health and care services across the region and their review was looking at three key subjects  and it was noted that these would ultimately impact on the service model to be delivered from the new Health Hub. 

The Chief Executive sought Members’ consideration of a number of options regarding its role in the project.  These were discussed in depth by the Committee and further information provided by Officers in response to questions raised.

Councillor A S Fluker declared an interest in this item of business as he was currently under St. Peters and Braintree Hospitals.

Councillor Miss M R Lewis proposed that option (i) as detailed in paragraph 3.6.1 of the report be removed.  This proposal was duly seconded.

During the discussion it was requested that the Chief Executive bring forward a report outlining Officer costs over the last six months, relating to this project.

The report sought consideration of the reconstitution of the Community Hospital Working Group.  Following discussions the Committee agreed to recommend that this did not take place at this time and information be dealt with by the Council.

RESOLVED

(i)             that the contents of the report be noted.

RECOMMENDED

(ii)            that option1 (i) as set out in paragraph 3.6.1 of the report for future Maldon District Council involvement in the Maldon Health Hub be ruled out at this stage;

(iii)          that the Community Hospital Working Group not be constituted to oversee progression of the project.