Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J M Englefield.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 15 November 2016.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 15 November 2016 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest or disclosures of advice or directions made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

The Panel received a deputation from Mr P Rogerson, on minute item 7 – Traffic Management Report.

The Panel also received a deputation from a member of the public on minute item 8 – Petition Remove the Newgate 4 Horses.

The Chairman agreed to bring these items for consideration forward on the agenda.

To receive a verbal update by the Executive Member for Public Protection on the Police Crime Panel.

Councillor T Cartwright, the Executive Member for Public Protection, provided the Panel with a verbal update on the Hampshire Police Crime Panel.

Councillor Cartwright reported that the draft Police Crime Commissioner’s Delivery Plan has unfortunately still not been received. It is expected that the Plan will now be made available on the 27^th January 2017. 

Councillor Cartwright also advised that he is a Member of the Police Crime Plan Working Group which monitors the implementation of the Police Crime Plan.  Pro-active scrutiny has recently been undertaken in respect of Domestic Abuse (one of the Commissioner’s key priorities) and a review on Restorative Justice is about to commence. 

As a Member of the Hampshire Community Safety Alliance, Councillor Cartwright commended the performance of the Fareham Community Safety team to the Panel as it is clear from information sharing that took place at a recent meeting of the Alliance he attended that Fareham is leading the way in many areas of Community Safety responsibility.

Councillor Cartwright informed Members that Central Government funding is being queried by the Police Crime Commissioner as Hampshire is one of the top performing County Forces but receives the lowest level of funding. The Police Crime Commissioner is also undertaking consultation with residents across the County to consider the level of contribution that they are willing to make towards the cost of local policing.

It was AGREED that the Executive Member for Public Protection be thanked for providing his verbal update.

To consider a report by the Head of Parking and Enforcement on Traffic Management.

(Councillor F W Birkett joined the meeting during the start of this item.)

 At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Cartwright, the Executive Member for Public Protection addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel received the deputation referred to in minute 5 above.

Members discussed a request for an extension to the Town Centre taxi rank whilst taking into account the potential effect that the Council approved plans to remodel the Westbury Manor Museum would have on this proposal. The Panel concluded that the current taxi rank provision is fit for purpose and that it would be inappropriate to consider any changes until the remodelling project is completed.

The Panel then considered a report by the Head of Parking and Enforcement on Traffic Management.

It was AGREED that Members:-

(a)       note the progress on the current Traffic Management Programme in Appendices A to D of the report; and

(b)       recommend to the Executive that this work, including progress on Traffic Regulation Orders and the work undertaken on the deployment of the Speed Limit Reminder signs, be noted.

To consider a petition entitled “Remove the Newgate 4 Horses”.  This petition is demanding the removal of neglected horses from land in Newgate Lane.

 In accordance with the Council’s petition scheme, the Panel considered a petition with 1163 signatures from residents in the local area entitled “REMOVE THE NEWGATE 4 HORSES”.

The Panel received a deputation from a member of the public in connection with the petition.

Members were advised that the Council’s Environmental Health department works closely with the RSPCA as a support agency in cases of animal welfare.  Where complaints are received, investigations are carried out and contact made with the RSPCA where necessary. The Environmental Health department is aware of the case history of the horses at Newgate Lane and is carefully monitoring the situation. 

It was noted that the Council does not own the land at Newgate Lane and therefore does not have any powers of eviction at the site. 

It was AGREED that the Council will continue to work with the RSPCA to provide full support of any action they consider necessary in connection with the horses at Newgate Lane. 

To receive a report from the Head of Parking and Enforcement on Emergency Planning.

(Councillor Mrs P Bryant left the meeting during this item at 19.10.)

The Panel received a presentation and considered a report from the Head of Parking and Enforcement on Emergency Planning. 

The presentation covered legislation and statutory duties, the FBC Emergency Response Plan, the training schedule, the Role of the Local Authority, which included the role that the Local Authority has in assisting in the recovery of an emergency, the annual Emergency Planning exercise that is carried out, recent occurrences of severe weather and the role of elected Members in emergency planning.

It was AGREED that Members:-

(a)   note the content of the report; and

(b)  that there were no views or comments for referral to the Executive.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation, which gives a preliminary review of the Panel’s Work Programme for 2016/17 and the draft Work Programme for 2017/18.

 The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation which gives a preliminary review of the Panel’s Work Programme for 2016/17 and the draft Work Programme for 2017/18.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Cartwright, the Executive Member for Public Protection, addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel noted the items for the agenda for the next meeting and the dates of the meetings for the 2017/18 municipal year that have now been approved.

Members were requested to consider items for inclusion on the draft Work Programme 2017/18.

It was AGREED that Members:-

(a)          reviewed the Work Programme for 2016/17, attached as Appendix A to the report; and

(b)          give consideration to the draft Work Programme for 2017/18.