Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 14 January 2016.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 14 January 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 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 Finance and Resources which reviewed the Board’s work programme for 2015/16 and suggests a draft work programme for 2016/17.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources which reviewed the Board’s work programme for 2015/16 and gave consideration to the work programme for 2016/17.

Members were given an opportunity to put forward any further suggestions for the proposed work programme for 2016/17. The Board expressed a wish to have more of an active role in dealing with health issues in the Borough. It was suggested that the Board make a recommendation to the Executive to look at health issues in more detail when reviewing the Corporate Strategy and Corporate Objectives, with regard to giving a greater priority to local health issues.

The Board referred to page 13 of the work programme report which was concerning the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and a resolution made by the Board requesting that the Executive Leader include an update on the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership in his announcements at Council meetings. The Board requested that this request be followed up.

It was AGREED that the Board:-

(a)  reviewed the outcomes of the Work Programme of the Scrutiny Board for 2015/16;

(b)  inform the Council of the Board’s view of the outcome of the call-in arrangements for 2015/16;

(c)  approve the provisional Work Programme for 2016/17;

(d)  recommends to the Executive that, when reviewing the Corporate Strategy, they give consideration to placing greater priority on local health issues as a Corporate Objective;

(e)  requests the Director of Finance and Resources follow up on the request that the Executive Leader includes an update on the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership in his announcements at Council meetings; and

(f)   submits the provisional Work Programme for 2016/17 to the Council.

To receive the minutes of the meetings of the Policy Development and Review Panels held since 19 November 2015.

The Board was asked to receive the minutes of the meetings of the Policy Development and Review Panels held since 19 November 2016.

The Chairman of the Planning and Development Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor A Mandry was invited to review the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Planning and Development Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor A Mandry was invited to review the minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley was invited to review the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor L Keeble was invited to review the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor L Keeble was invited to review the minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor B Bayford was invited to review the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2016.

Councillor Whittle raised a question on item 7 of the minutes which was concerning the rough sleeper update. He referred to the recent announcement by the central government regarding funding being provided for tackling rough sleepers, and asked if the Council would be putting in a bid for the funding. The Director of Operations explained that full details of how the funding will work is not yet known but reassured the Board that should there be an opportunity for the Council to put in a bid for some of the funding he will ensure that this is considered.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

To receive a presentation by the Executive Member for Streetscene on the performance of services within the Streetscene portfolio over approximately the last two years and on future plans.

The Board received a presentation by Councillor Miss T Harper, Executive Member for Streetscene, on the areas of responsibility that fall under Streetscene.

The presentation gave an overview of the areas of responsibility covered by Streetscene, how each service was performing, achievements for each service and the priorities for the future. These Services included:

·         Transport Management

·         Refuse and Recycling

·         Grounds Maintenance

·         Street Cleansing

·         Parks and Open Spaces

Councillor Whittle requested an update on the proposal to offer dog waste bags in parks and open spaces to encourage more people to pick up after their dogs. The Director of Operations confirmed that is proposal is already being trialled with 3 bag dispensers being placed in Portchester at the following locations; Chalky Walk, Fisherman’s Walk and Wicor Park, and free bags that can be collected from main reception at this Civic Offices. This will be monitored to ascertain how successful it is and whether it can be introduced to other areas.

Councillor Whittle also requested an update on Bath Lane toilets, as he still receives requests from members of the public to have these reinstated. The Executive Member for Streetscene explained that the reasons for not reinstating these toilets has not changed and that the misuse of them and the cost of having to maintain them is too great a cost for the Council. She informed the Board that this would continue to be reviewed as a possibility in the future.

The Board wished to pass their praise on to all of the crews who work so hard within the Streetscene department to continue to keep the Borough clean and tidy and an attractive place to live.

It was AGREED that Councillor Miss T Harper, Executive Member for Streetscene be thanked for her informative presentation.

If requested by a member, to consider any item of business dealt with by the Executive, since the last meeting of the Board. The relevant Executive meetings are 1 February 2016 and 7 March 2016. (This will also include any decisions taken by individual Executive members during the same time period.)

The Chairman invited members to indicate if they wished to consider any other item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Board. There were no other items of Executive Business considered.