Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Mrs S Pankhurst.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 28 July 2015.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 28 July 2015 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 made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Director of Operations on the Panel’s Work Programme for 2015/16.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation which reviewed the Panel’s Work Programme for 2015/16.

The Director of Planning and Regulation addressed the Panel and suggested that an additional report on the Fareham and Gosport Environmental Health Partnership be added to the 8 March 2015 meeting.

Councillor Bryant enquired as to whether there could be a report added to the work programme on CCTV or alternatively arrange a visit to the Control Room for the Panel members so that they can get a better understanding of how the cameras work.

The Head of Parking Enforcement suggested that he provide dates for visits to the control room for any members that wish to attend.

It was AGREED that the Panel:-

(a)   confirms the programme of items as set out in Appendix A, subject to the inclusion of a report on the Fareham and Gosport Environmental Health Partnership being added to the 8 March 2016 meeting; and

(b)  note the progress on actions since the last meeting as set out in Appendix B.

To receive a verbal update from the Head of Environmental Health on the Council’s Annual Health and Safety Performance 2014/15.

The Panel received a verbal update from the Head of Environmental Health on the Annual Health and Safety Performance for 2014/15.

It was report that the accident figures for 2014/15 are down on the previous years, and the figures are decreasing year on year. Members were informed that there will always be a certain level of accidents due to the nature of the work that is undertaken at the Council.

The Panel were informed that the Building Services operation has now been brought back in-house and therefore new Health and Safety policies and procedures have been put in place.

There has been a change in law with regards to litter picking on roadsides which has required new health and safety training.

The Council has also reviewed its lone working procedures and has got a new system in place which has been well received by the staff using it.

He also informed the Panel that they have reviewed the fire risk assessment for the building.

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

It was AGREED that the Head of Environmental Health be thanked for his verbal update.

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

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Parking and Enforcement which gave an update on the progress of the 2015/16 Traffic Management Programme, and informed members of the general work undertaken by the Traffic Management Team.

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

The Panel enquired as to how the TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) Programme is created and what happens to the TRO requests that are not considered a priority to be included onto the TRO Programme at this time. The Head of Parking and Enforcement explained that a full List of requests for TRO’s is maintained by officers and kept up-to-date. As outlined in paragraph 21 of the report, delegated authority has been given to the Executive Member for Public Protection, in conjunction with the Director of Operations, and in consultation with Ward members, to manage the List of requests for TRO’s and formulate the TRO programme to include the highest priority sites considered to be of the greatest benefit to road safety. The full list of TRO requests is available for Members to view, however it is not formally reported to the Panel.

The Panel were reminded that there is a limited budget provided by Hampshire County Council for these works and therefore priority has to be given to the most urgent requests.

It was AGREED that the Panel:-

(a)  note the progress on current Traffic Management programmes;

(b)  considered the planned work for 2016/17;

(c)  recommend to the Executive that the proposed Traffic Regulation Order Programme, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be approved; and

(d)  recommend to the Executive that the work undertaken on the deployment of the Speed Limit Reminder signs, as detailed at Appendix D to the report, be noted.