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, M F L Durham CC, Mrs H E Elliott, A S Fluker and R Pratt CC.  In accordance with notice duly given Councillor Mrs M E Thompson was attending as a substitute for Councillor Pratt and Councillor A K M St. Joseph as a substitute for Councillor Bass.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 May 2017 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED

(i)              that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 May 2017 be received.

Minute 87 – Appointment of Representatives on Liaison Committees / Panels

It was noted that reference to Councillor R Pratt as Chairman of the Community Services Committee under the Strengthening Community Member Task and Finish Working Group was incorrect and should be deleted.

RESOLVED

(ii)            that subject to the above amendment the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 May 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).

There were none.

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.

Mrs Elaine Mason, Headteacher at Maldon Court School addressed the Committee in respect of Agenda Item 8 – Permit for School Parents Parking.

The Chairman outlined the process he wanted to follow at this meeting in respect of the consideration of reports.

The Chairman referred to the recent Maldon Car Show which had taken place at the Promenade Park and attracted an estimated 25,000 people.  He also referred to the recent Armed Forces Day hosted on behalf of the Council by Stow Maries Aerodrome.  The Chairman commended the Council’s events team in presenting both items with limited resources.

To receive a presentation from the Group Manager – Community and Living.

The Committee received a presentation from the Group Manager – Community and Living providing an update on the new waste and recycling collection service. Including:

·                 Performance results;

·                 Waste percentages;

·                 Missed bins;

·                 The garden waste service;

·                 Food waste bins;

·                 Container replacements.

In response to a number of questions the Group Manager provided Members with the following information:

·                 The national average for food waste collection was 2kg per household per week and the Council was achieving this.

·                 A low proportion of dry recyclables were contaminated.  Contamination visible through the transparent sacks would be left, if identified.

·                 Officers were involved in regular meetings with the contractors who had taken on board concerns raised in respect of broken containers and were working to increase the standard.

The Chairman put to the Committee that the presentation be accepted and this was agreed.

RESOLVED that the presentation be accepted.

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, which formally consulted with Members of the Committee on a proposal to introduce a new car parking permit for Maldon Court School. 

Members were reminded of a recent proposal to formalise an informal parking arrangement for parents of children attending local schools.  This Committee had not supported the proposal and the matter had been discussed by the Finance and Corporate Services Committee at its meeting on 26 April 2017 and its resolution was set out in the report.

The current proposal for a schools parking permit was only applicable to Maldon Court Schools due to the unique parking issues identified and the ability for other schools to work with the South Essex Parking Partnership to introduce the 3PR (Parking Rules) project.  Officers were suggesting that the permit be trialled for two academic years commencing September 2017 in order to assess its popularity.  It was noted that a report had been prepared for the Council to consider at its meeting on 13 July and this was attached as Appendix 1.

A number of concerns were raised by Members relating to both the proposed charging for such a scheme and limiting it only to one School.  In response to a question regarding the proposed permit fee, Officers advised that this reflected the use of the parking spaces and a small administrative charge.

In response to a query, it was agreed that an additional paragraph would be added to the report for consideration by the Council to clarify what the 3 Parking Rules Project was.

Councillor E L Bamford proposed that the new permit scheme should only be introduced for a one year trial period.  This proposal was duly seconded.  There being an equality of vote the Chairman used his casting vote against the proposition and in favour of the two year trial period proposed by Officers.

The Chairman then put the recommendations as set out the report subject to the additional paragraph requested to the Council report.  This was duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)                 That the report to the Council be amended to include details of the 3PR (Parking Rules) Project;

(ii)               That subject to the above amendment the report to the Council recommending the introduction of a new permit scheme (for a trial period of two years) specifically designed to address a parking issue associated with Maldon Court School, be noted.

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

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive giving details of performance against targets set for 2016 / 17 and to ensure that progress was being achieved towards the corporate goals and objectives detailed in the Corporate Plan 2015 / 19 adopted by the Council.

The Key Corporate Activities (KCA) assessed as being “behind schedule” or “at risk of not being achieved” along with indicators which had not achieved their end of year target were set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The following information was provided by Officers in response to questions raised:

·                     Develop the Strengthening Communities Strategy – The Group Manager (Leisure, Countryside and Tourism) advised that the Member Working Group had requested an audit of all the groups across the District and once this had been completed the KCA would be progressed.

·                     Level of Reported Crime – Members were advised that these were Essex Police targets.

·                     Working in partnership to develop community consultation groups re. management / maintenance of existing open spaces – The Council had been working with a number of community groups including the Friends of Promenade Park and Elms Farm Park Group.  Work to strengthen such links was ongoing and in the future would link more closely with the strengthening communities activities.

·                     Working with partnership to seek funding / bring forward flood relief projects for identified surface flooding risk areas in District – There was some confusion regarding the target date and the Group Manager (Leisure, Countryside and Tourism) agreed to provide clarification in respect of this to Members outside of the meeting.

A Member raised concern that the Council appeared to not be following the trend of other Councils but had increased its Tourist Information Centres.  The Group Manager (Leisure, Countryside and Tourism) provided a brief update in respect of the District’s Tourism industry and how it was increasing.  In response the Chairman advised that this was a matter for the Planning and Licensing Committee which they might wish to review.

RESOLVED that performance against the targets set for 2016 / 17 be noted.

To receive a verbal update from the Chief Executive.

It was agreed that a report on the Community Hospital (Health Hub) would be brought to the next meeting of the Committee.

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 providing Members with an update on the delivery of the Council’s Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) programme.  The report also sought Members’ consideration of an increase to fees to a level which was consistent with other areas and enabled the further development of the service.

It was noted that the Council had made good progress in expanding the conventional DFG service and was now looking at how work could be linked with other complementary services to meet Government expectations.  The proposed change to fees to align the Council with other Districts would help maintain capacity and subject to agreement by Essex County Council give the ability to top-slice some of the other grant to support the expansion of local services provided.  A testimony at Appendix 1 to the report illustrated the positive impact that the Council can have on the lives of some of the most vulnerable local residents.

The Chairman advised that recommendation (ii) needed to be a recommendation to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee because it related to the Council’s Fees and Charges.

In response to a question, the Strategic Housing Manager highlighted current charges and explained that the current proposal was to set a consistent level of fees in line with other Districts in Essex.

RESOLVED

(i)                 That the continued expansion of funding and delivery of Disabled Facility Grants work, be noted;

(ii)               That the Finance and Corporate Services Committee be recommended to approve the increase of Disabled Facility Grants Feeds to 15%, in order to make the service sustainable and meet current and future strategic demands.

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

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive presenting the Health and Safety Enforcement Work Plan 2017 / 18 (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) and outlined proposals for delivery of health and safety enforcement during 2017 / 18.

It was noted that the 2017 / 18 Work Plan provided a clear programme of health and safety enforcement to be undertaken in the Maldon District during 2017 / 18.  It aligned with national guidance and the Essex-wide work plan.  Members were reminded of the statutory functions required by Section 18 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which, by undertaking enforcement activities, the Council fulfilled.

RESOLVED that the Health and Safety Enforcement Work Plan 2017 / 18, be approved.

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, seeking Members’ views on which of the shortlisted projects within Burnham-on-Crouch, as part of the Dengie Gateway Project, should be implemented.

Members were reminded of the proposals to install a ‘hub’ project at Burnham-on-Crouch as part of the Dengie Gateway Project.  This Committee had requested a suggested mast concept and resolved that the public be consulted to seek further ideas.  This report sought to present the four shortlisted ideas received (attached at Appendix 1 to the report) for Members’ consideration.

Of the four shortlisted projects, it was noted that Officers felt that Project 2 – the Woodland and Sculpture Trails would add a feature to Riverside Park, Burnham-on-Crouch which if delivered correctly significantly attract visitor numbers.

A debate ensued and a number of comments raised.  The Group Manager (Leisure, Countryside and Tourism) advised that the monies had been given by the Department for Communities and Local Government to spend on projects to enhance the Council’s coast and the monies had to be spent by the end of this financial year.

In response to comments it was agreed that Officers would consult the Burnham Community and Town Council and provide feedback to this Committee.

The Chairman put the recommendation as set out in the report to agree Project 2 subject to further consultation by Officers.  This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)                That Project 2 – Woodland and Sculpture Trails are progressed by Officers;

(ii)               That Officers carry out consultation with the local community and Town Council in respect of Project 2 and feedback to the Community Services Committee.