Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs P M Bryant and Councillor J M Englefield.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 30 May 2017.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 30 May 2017 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.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

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

The Panel received a verbal update on the Police Crime Panel from Councillor T M Cartwright, MBE, the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection.

Councillor Cartwright reported on the recent meeting of the Police Crime Panel, advising of the appointments of Dave Stewart and Jan Warwick as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Panel for the coming year and the appointments of Mr James Payne as Chief Executive and Mr Andy Lowe as Chief Finance Officer.

Members were updated on the items of business discussed at the meeting.   This included a review of the Estates Strategy which will now involve relocation of the policing team in Fareham to the purpose-built police station at Park Gate rather than to the Civic Offices.  Sub premises will be secured in due course to ensure that there is a continued police presence in the town centre.

The Police & Crime Commissioner’s Delivery Plan is now available. The Plan sets out the detailed approach to delivering the Police and Crime Plan, including the intended outcomes and the measurements used to assess them.  As the Police Crime Panel feels that the format of the information provided does not make it easy to understand progress being made, the Working Group will scrutinise the plan in more detail and request greater clarity. 

The Police Crime Panel continues to undertake a programme of proactive scrutiny. Rural Crime will be the next topic to be reviewed to assess the progress being made in reducing the gap in solved crime rates between rural and non-rural areas.

It was AGREED that Councillor Cartwright be thanked for providing his verbal update.

To receive a verbal update by the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection on Local Strategic Health Issues.

The Panel received a verbal update on Local Strategic Health issues from Councillor T M Cartwright, MBE, the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection.

Councillor Cartwright reported that Suella Fernandes presented a health statement at the Fareham Community Hospital last week. This included an announcement that a new appointments system will be trialled at the Hospital to cover GP services in Stubbington, Titchfield,  Highlands Road and Whiteley. Patients requesting same day appointments will be given an appointment to see a GP at the Community Hospital, freeing up the local surgeries to undertake appointments that have been booked in advance.  If successful, this system may be rolled out to other parts of the Borough.

Councillor Cartwright advised that it is clear from the audience response to the statement that residents’ main requirements of the Community Hospital are Accident & Emergency cover and Diagnostic Services.   Residents are also keen to understand plans for provision of healthcare in Welborne given that the Clinical Commissioning Group has ignored public consultation exercises and will not allocate new resources to cover the area.   Members expressed considerable concern that existing provision, particularly the Highlands Road Surgery, does not have the capacity to cover any additional patients.

It was AGREED that Councillor Cartwright be thanked for providing his verbal update.

To consider a report by the Director of Operations on the Fareham Parking Enforcement Service.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Operations which provided Members with an update on the last twelve months’ operation of the Fareham Parking Enforcement Service.

The Head of Parking and Enforcement gave a brief presentation which focussed on the key points contained in the report, including:

·         An overview of the service

·         On/off street Enforcement

·         Challenges to Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and a sample of reasons for cancellations

·         Current stage of PCNs served in 2016/17

·         Number of PCNs paid by financial year

·         PCN challenges by financial year

·         On-street Enforcement Budget and Expenditure 2016/17

·         Off-street Enforcement and Expenditure 2016/17.

In response to Members enquiring whether consideration has been given to introducing the use of virtual parking permits, the Head of Parking and Enforcement acknowledged that this could be a good opportunity to reduce costs and, at the request of the Panel, undertook to carry out further research to update Members in due course.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)  the Panel note the content of the report;

(b)  the Head of Parking & Enforcement be thanked for his informative presentation; and

(c)  the Head of Parking and Enforcement provide a report at a future meeting of the Panel on the viability of introducing virtual parking permits.

To consider a report by the Director of Operations on the Council’s Parking Enforcement Policy.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Operations on the Biennial Review of the Parking Enforcement Policy.

It was AGREED that the revised Parking Enforcement Policy, as shown in Appendix A to the report, be recommended to the Executive for approval.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation, which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for 2017/18.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for 2017/18.

Members were invited to note the proposed revisions to the current Work Programme for 2017/18 as detailed in paragraph 3 of the report.

Following concerns raised regarding environmental health issues relating to rough sleepers in the Fareham Creek area, Members requested that an update be provided on provision made for summer time rough sleepers.

It was AGREED that the Panel:

(a)  confirms the programme of items as set out in Appendix A to the report; and

(b)  notes the progress on actions since the last meeting, as set out in Appendix B to the report.