Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Iles and Osborne and Councillor Maple from the Community Safety Partnership.

To approve the record of the meeting held on 29 September 2015.

The record of the meeting held on 29 September 2015 was signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were none.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other interests

The Chairman, Councillor Carr referring to agenda Item 5 (Petitions) advised the Committee that whilst one of the petitions asking for a 20mph speed restrictions in Darland/Watling Ward referred to the road in which he resided, he had not expressed an opinion on this issue and did not consider that he was biased or had predetermined the matter and had come the meeting with an open mind. Therefore, he would remain in the Chair for this particular item.

However, he drew attention to Agenda Item 6 (Annual Scrutiny of the Community Safety Partnership) and advised the Committee that as he served on the Kent and Medway Fire Rescue Authority he would vacate the Chair and not take part in the discussion and consideration of this item. In his absence the Vice Chairman, Councillor Bhutia would chair the meeting.

Councillor Saroy referred to Agenda Item 5 (Petitions) and advised the Committee that she resided in the Darland area and was Ward Councillor for Watling Ward. She confirmed that she had not expressed an opinion on this issue and did not consider that she was biased or had predetermined the matter and had come the meeting with an open mind.

To advise the Committee of petitions received by the Council which fall within the remit of this Committee including a summary of the response sent to the lead petitioners by officers.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report setting out petitions received by the Council which fell within the remit of the Committee, including a summary of the responses sent to petitioners by Officers.

The Committee was advised that two lead petitioners had requested that their petitions be referred to this Committee.

Petition for a 20mph speed limit in the Darland area of Watling Ward

The Chairman welcomed Mr Grant to the meeting concerning his petition asking for 20mph speed limits in Darland/Watling Ward. With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Purdy as Ward Councillor addressed the Committee and explained that Watling Ward was divided in two halves and dissected by the A2 Watling Street. She advised that although the petition referred to streets within Darland Area, the petition had been signed by petitioners from across the Ward and a second lead petitioner, Mrs Watson was in attendance and also wished to speak.

The Chairman, confirmed that he was willing to hear from Mrs Watson but stressed that the petition referred specifically to Darland and it was on this basis that the Committee would be considering the petition.

The Chairman then invited the petitioners to address the Committee on their request for 20mph speed restrictions in Darland.

Both Mr Grant and Mrs Watson outlined the issues which led to the petition. These included the speed of traffic in residential roads and the poor visibility for drivers exiting side roads due to nose to tail parking and tall vehicles. They requested that the Council consider the adoption of the 20s plenty scheme in Darland and stressed that this would involve low cost initiatives such as the erection of 20mph speed signs and painting 20mph speed signs on roads. Such a scheme did not involve engineering works or traffic calming measures, although it was accepted that these had also been used in some local authority areas.

The petitioners advised the Committee that this issue was not restricted to  Watling Ward and suggested that the Council consider the adoption of 20s plenty across the whole of Medway in residential side streets.

The Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture confirmed that the basis upon which the Council introduced road safety improvements was casualty reduction and therefore locations with ongoing poor road casualty history were tackled first to help prevent further casualties on roads. He suggested that if the Council was minded to support the introduction of a 20mph speed restriction based upon the 20s plenty scheme, it would be advisable for the Committee to receive a detailed report setting out full details of the scheme along with research as to how effective the scheme had been in areas where it had been introduced, along with the costs involved. The Committee could then take a measured and evidenced based view as to whether this would be a scheme that it would wish to recommend to Cabinet or Council for consideration either by way of a pilot scheme in a specified area or Medway wide.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 552.

This report provides information on the operation of the Community Safety Partnership from October 2014, which summarises the findings of the strategic assessment. The current Community Safety Plan runs from 2013 to 2016. This report provides information on the proposed plan to cover the period from 2016 to 2020.

Discussion:

In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman chaired the meeting for this item.

The Vice Chairman welcomed all the partners of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to the meeting.

The Committee was reminded that the scrutiny of the CSP was last carried out in December 2014.

The Chairman of the CSP, Councillor Mackness advised that the CSP had undertaken an assessment of issues that had impacted on community safety in Medway and given consideration to potential issues and emerging themes/trends.

The draft Community Safety Plan 2016 – 2020 was appended to the report  and contained five new priorities as follows:

·         Strengthening communities

·         Supporting victims and tackling offenders of sexual and domestic abuse

·         Tackling the harm caused by substance misuse

·         Reducing re-offending

·         Commitment to safeguarding and improving services.

The Committee then discussed various elements of the report and the action plan including the following:

·         The inability to obtain data for a number of targets and indicators – In response to a question as to the inability to gather data for certain targets/indicators, it was confirmed that the CSP had recognised that there were too many targets, and that some targets were confusing and in some cases difficult to understand because the actual data collected had changed. It was confirmed that in future all targets would be in line with the strategic plan and be meaningful.

Chief Inspector Alland confirmed that the Home Office definitions of anti social behaviour had changed. Therefore it was not possible to compare current statistics to those held for last year.

·         Recognition that mental health had an affect upon a number of CSP priorities and in particular offenders  - In response to a request for an assurance that mental health was recognised as affecting a number of the CSP priorities, it was confirmed that the CSP partners fully understood and acknowledged that many people known to individual services had mental health issues. Reference was made to the Blue Light Project which ensured a link between various agencies for those suffering from mental health issues and alcohol and substance misuse thus ensuring provision of wrap around services for them.

The Youth Offending Team Manager reassured the Committee that all young people passing through the Youth Offending Team were screened for potential mental health issues and if necessary low level interventions were put in place. He also confirmed that the YOT Team could also fast track individuals to Child  Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). In addition, he advised that earlier in the day the first meeting had taken place with a view to reviewing the protocol for Looked After Children who entered the Youth Justice System.

·         The CSP budget  - In response to a question about the level of budget available to the CSP and the type of items funded by the CSP, the Chairman of the CSP confirmed that the budget was available for a range of activities. He explained that it could be used to support the voluntary sector and, in addition it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 553.

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services which fall within the remit of this Committee. 

Discussion:

Members received an overview of progress on the area within the terms of reference of this Committee and covered by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services as set out below:

·         CCTV

·         Community Safety Partnership

·         Travellers

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services responded to Member’s questions and comments as follows:

·         Telecare and healthcare (Technology Enabled Care Services)  - In response to a query as to whether individuals who had Telehealthcare could utilise the service from another destination other than their usual place of residence, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that the service was transferable provided the individual concerned could use a telephone plug socket and advised the Central Service of the alternative telephone number. He also advised that there was an aim for the service to be based around use of SIM cards and that this would be introduced over the next 18 months enabling greater flexibility.

In response to a query as to whether Telecare/Telehealthcare would be available for those living in Sheltered Housing Schemes, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that they were currently available but in the future, the Council would be encouraging all housing providers to use these solutions and services.

A Member expressed appreciation on behalf of  a relation who had received assistance from the service and the Portfolio Holder agreed to pass this information back to the staff at the Centre.

·         LGC Award Nominations – In response to a query as to the reason for the LGC Award Nominations referred to in paragraph 2.4 of the report, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that these related to the work of the CCTV Team.

·         Out of Hours – contract opportunities – In response to a question concerning the proactive approach to seeking further out of hours contracts for Telecare/Telehealthcare, the Portfolio Holder advised that on 24 November 2015, Cabinet had agreed to proceed with an Alternate Delivery Model to operate all its services through a commercial vehicle which would become operational from 1 April 2016. A Local Authority Trading Company  (Parent Company) consisting of different subsidiaries would be established to trade various Council services with both the public and private sector. The new model was forecasting an accumulative savings and income of approximately £2 million during its first 5 years of trading (April 2016 – March 2021).

A Member sought an assurance that when the Control Centre is set up as a separate trading company and, the range and complexity of the services expanded, that adequate plans would be in place to ensure that the service was resilient and that staff undergo proper training to be able to deliver the new contracts. In response, the Portfolio Holder reassured the Member concerned that the priority was to maintain and build on existing staff at the CCTV Control Centre. He informed the Committee that he had been advised that all staff were supportive and excited about the expansion plans. He confirmed that there would be a clear structure of governance  and an annual report to the Cabinet on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 554.

This report provides an update on progress towards setting the Council’s draft capital and revenue budgets for 2016/17.

In accordance with the Constitution, Cabinet is required to develop ‘initial budget proposals’ approximately three months before finalising the budget and setting council tax levels at the end of February 2016. The overview and scrutiny committees consider these initial proposals and any proposals for change will be referred back to Cabinet for consideration.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report setting out an update on progress towards setting the Council’s draft capital and revenue budgets for 2016/17.

The draft budget was based upon the principles contained in the Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/20 approved by Cabinet in September and reflected the latest formula grant assumptions.

In discussing the budget, a Member suggested that there may be opportunities for increased income generation on expansion of Greenspaces Service Contracts to cover private housing estates. The Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture confirmed that this was an area being investigated.

A Member referred to paragraph 5.5 of the report and stressed the importance of digital transformation. She referred to a Local Government Association publication – ‘Transforming local public services using technology and digital tools and approaches’ and recommended that Officers and Members read this document. See weblink below:

http://www.local.gov.uk/documents/10180/11553/Transforming+public+services+using+technology+and+digital+approaches/ab9af2bd-9b68-4473-ac17-bbddf2adec05

The Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture confirmed that the early phases of the Council’s digital transformation programme were progressing and more detailed proposals were being formulated to deliver significant savings over the medium term.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)            noted the draft capital and budget report for 2016/17 insofar as it related to this Committee; and

b)                  recommended Officers and Members to read the Local Government Association publication – ‘Transforming local public services using technology and digital tools and approaches’.

This report summarises the performance of the Council’s Key Measures of Success for Quarter 2 2015/16 as set out in the Council Plan 2015/16.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report setting out the performance summary for Quarter 2 2015/16 against the Council’s priorities for the Committee:

·         Safe, clean and green Medway

·         Everyone benefitting from the area’s regeneration

The Committee raised the following issues:

·         Annual Jobs fair  - A Member sought information as to how the numbers attending the jobs fair were calculated and whether any of the individuals who succeeded in securing jobs at the fair were full time posts or part time Christmas appointments. The Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture advised that he had no reason to question the attendance figures but he was unable to report at this meeting on the breakdown of the types of jobs secured. He therefore undertook to inform the Member direct of this information outside of the meeting.

·         Strood Town Centre Action Plan – A Member referred to the proposal to put the Strood Town Centre Action Plan out for consultation in the New Year and sought an assurance that in doing so account would be taken of the Air Quality Action Plan. The Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture agreed that this would be undertaken. 

·         Parks and open spaces – decrease in satisfaction levels – A Member referred to the slight  decrease in satisfaction levels with parks and open spaces and yet noted that the Council had achieved Green Flags for seven of its open spaces. He therefore questioned whether the decline in satisfaction levels could relate to other open spaces that were not those awarded Green Flags. In response, the Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture advised that 80% satisfaction was a good level of performance and only just short of the target of 85%. He confirmed that this would continued to be monitored.

·         Highway Performance Data – A Member drew attention to the fact that information was not available for the satisfaction levels with road maintenance and pavement maintenance in the current quarter and if such information was available in time for the meeting of the Committee in January, it was suggested that this information be included in the report on the Road Maintenance Budget when that comes to Committee.

·         The methodology for assessing user satisfaction at leisure centres In response to a question as to how information was obtained on user satisfaction levels at leisure centres, the Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture advised that user surveys were undertaken on a rolling programme at the Council’s leisure centres.

·         Rochester Railway Station – In response to a request for information as to when the new car park and railway station would be open to the public, the Director for Regeneration, Community and Culture advised that the surface car park had been opened on schedule on 4 December 2015 and the multi storey car park would be opening at a later stage as planned. The station would be opened on 13 December 2015.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)            noted the Quarter 2 2015/16 performance against key measures of success used to monitor progress against the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 556.

This report informs the Regeneration, Community & Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the Air Quality Action Plan.  The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced to satisfy the requirements of the Environment Act 1995.

Discussion:

The Environmental Protection Officer advised the Committee that the Council had a statutory duty under the requirement of the Environmental Act 1995 to produce an Air Quality Action Plan to work towards improving the air quality within three designated Air Quality Management Areas.

Public consultation on the Plan had been carried out between 8 June – 30 August 2015 following which 108 completed surveys and 19 individual letter responses had been received. Arising from the survey, the top three priorities identified were as follows:

·         Encouraging greater use of public transport

·         Promoting cycling and walking

·         Procurement of low emission vehicles.

The Environmental Protection Officer advised the Committee that the approval of the Air Quality Action Plan was a matter for the Cabinet to determine and a report was due to be considered by the Cabinet on 15 December 2015. The options available to Cabinet were outlined in the report along with the implications of each option.

The Committee discussed the report and the Environmental Protection Officer responded to a number of issues raised including:

·         Consultation with DEFRA on the Air Quality Action Plan

·         Discussions with Arriva on the Green Bus Fund

·         Reduced pollution certificates for HGV’s and buses

·         Achieving Euro 6 emission standards

·         Roadside testing

·         Use of pollution eating patches for diesel vehicles and other commercial decarbonisation products

·         Carsharing

·         Provision of electric car plug in points

·         Air Quality Management Areas

·         Bids for potential funding if the Air Quality Action Plan is approved

·         The relationship between the aims of the Air Quality Action Plan and the performance monitoring data for average journey times across Medway

·         The issue of air quality when considering planning applications

The Environmental Protection Officer confirmed that he would respond direct to Members outside of the meeting on a number of the issues highlighted above.

It was noted that whilst there was limited external funding available for air quality projects, applications for such funding could only be made if a local authority had an Air Quality Action Plan

Decision:

The Committee:

a)           noted the Air Quality Action Plan as set out in Appendix 1 to the report to fulfil the Council’s statutory duty under the requirements of the Environment Act 1995 and supported referral to Cabinet for approval on 15 December 2015;

b)           noted that the Environmental Protection Officer would respond direct to Members on the following issues:

·         The Green Bus Fund

·         Reduced pollution certificates for HGV’s and buses

·         Achieving Euro 6 emission standards

c)                  advised the Cabinet that should the Air Quality Action Plan be approved this Committee supports Officers proactively seeking external funding as soon as possible.

This report provides an update on the former Tesco store, Chatham.

Discussion:

The Committee received an information report confirming that the former Tesco store in Chatham had been leased to a national chain “Go Outdoors” and works had begun both internally and externally in preparation for the store to open in February/March 2016.

It was reported that “Go Outdoors” was a UK wide retailer of outdoor clothing, camping equipment and equipment for other outdoor pursuits such as horse riding, fishing, cycling and skiing.

The lease of the store would allow for the continuing operation of the adjoining business Coslo Homeplus which sells furniture and household goods.

A Member asked whether the introduction of a new store at the former Tesco site would result in a general tidy up and refresh of the site, including the car park area and the Director for Regeneration, Community and Culture confirmed that discussions would be undertaken with the new tenant of the premises regarding the possible improvements to the site generally.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)            noted the report; and

b)         noted that the Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture would respond direct to the Member concerned in respect of discussions with the new tenant on the issue of improvements to the site including the car park area as requested during the meeting.

Discussion:

The Democratic Services Officer reported on the Committee’s work programme and drew attention to the following issues arising from the Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee pre agenda meeting on 24 November 2015:

·         On the basis that information concerning the average journey times across Medway was now regularly reported to Committee under performance indicator NI 167 NEW as part of the quarterly performance monitoring, this item should be removed from the list of outstanding reports.

·         The review of shared use bay installation in York Avenue, Gillingham be reported to the Committee in June 2016 to enable a full six month assessment of the operation of the bays.

·         The outstanding report on how roads had been adopted in Medway in the past be the subject of a briefing note to be circulated to Members.

·         The outstanding report on the outcome of discussions between Arriva and petitioners concerning bus services in Walderslade be removed from the list of outstanding reports in the light of the all Member briefing from Arriva on 19 November 2015 but that Arriva be invited to attend a meeting of this Committee in June 2016 to enable the Committee to undertake further discussions with Arriva on bus services in Medway.

The Committee was also advised that the report from the Housing Task Group would now be submitted to the Committee at its meeting on 29 March 2016 and that following discussion by each Overview and Scrutiny Committee over the Summer and, an informal meeting in November to which all Overview and Scrutiny Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Oppositions Spokes persons were invited,  the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been recommended to agree that the programme of Task Group topics for 2016 should be as follows:

Review two (to follow the Task Group on Housing: demand, supply and affordability) to be lead by the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

·                     How far has Medway gone in developing a dementia friendly community?

Review three to be cross-cutting with membership drawn from the Children and Young People and Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committees:

·                     Employment Opportunities for 18-21 year olds (including apprenticeships)

The Committee was further reminded that arising from discussions at this meeting the following items would be added to the Committee’s work programme:

·                    A report on the possible introduction of 20s plenty scheme introducing  20mph speed restrictions in residential side streets

·                    Highway performance data to be included in the report on Road Maintenance Budgets when that report comes to Committee.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)            agreed that the report on average journey times across Medway be removed from the list of outstanding reports on the basis that this information was regularly reported under performance indicator NI 167 NEW as part of the quarterly performance monitoring;

b)            agreed that the review report on the shared use bay installation in York Avenue, Gillingham would be reported to the Committee in June 2016 to enable a full six month assessment of the operation of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 559.