Agenda item

This report summaries how the Directorate has performed in Quarter 4 2015/16 against the two priorities for this committee: Safe, clean and green Medway and Everyone benefitting from the area’s regeneration.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report summarising performance in Quarter 4

against the two priorities:

·         Safe, clean and green Medway; and

·         Everyone benefitting from the area’s regeneration,

The Committee discussed the following:

·         Codes DA6 and DA7 – Number of high risk clients referred to IDVA for support and percentage of high risk clients where risk is reduced as a result of IDVA intervention

In recognition that football tournaments can result in increases in incidents of domestic violence, a Member sought clarification as to whether the Council was using social media feeds to highlight these issues.

The Director of Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation agreed to take this up with Communications.

·         Rochester Riverside

A Member referred to the provision of the new Rochester Railway Station and expressed concern on behalf of traders that they considered that their businesses had been affected during the transition of the former Corporation Car Park to the new Station Car Park and he asked what lessons had been learnt.

A Member also commented on the good design of the new Station Car Park in that it was not intrusive from Corporation Street.

Another Member expressed concern as to the location of the existing pedestrian crossing and stated that since the opening of the new Rochester Railway Station, the pedestrian crossing required relocation. He also asked whether bus companies had approached the Council about the limited access for buses at the Railway Station.

The Director of Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation responded by confirming that the new Station Car Park had provided 321 extra car parking spaces in Rochester and whilst there were always lessons which could be learnt, he reassured the Member concerned that the Council had worked with Traders and put in place measures to support them during the transition period.

He also advised that the whilst the possible relocation of the pedestrian crossing could be investigated, these works would involve a significant cost.

He confirmed that no approaches had been made to the Council by local bus companies concerning access to the Station by buses.

·         Condition of the roads in Medway

A Member congratulated officers on the good condition of Medway’s roads in comparison with other areas.

·         Twydall Community Hub/Possible hub in Luton and Wayfield Ward

A Member referred to the Twydall Community Hub and stated that she was pleased that this was moving forward and was due to open in July. She stated that she was pleased that the footfall had not diminished at the temporary library.

A Member referred to the Post Office in Luton and Wayfield Ward and asked whether this would be expanded to other hubs.

The Director of Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation advised that officers were seeking to progress the Community Hub model across a number of sites, offering a wide range of services.

·         Awards and Achievements

A Member congratulated the Council in being rated one of the top 100 employers in the Stonewall workplace equality index.

·         Flytipping

A Member sought clarification as to whether the statistics reported related to the volume of flytipping or the number of reports of flytipping. It was confirmed that the statistics reported related to the number of reported incidents not the volume of flytipping. The Director of Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation reminded the Committee that there was an outstanding item on the Committee’s work programme for a report on flytipping to examine whether there was a link with the implementation of a charge for the collection of bulky waste.

Noting that the level of flytipping had decreased in 2015/16, a Member asked for information to be supplied on a Ward by Ward basis, indentifying where flytipping takes place as she considered this could be used by Councillors to educate and inform local residents.

In response, the Performance Manager advised that officers had mapped data on flytipping and some of the flytipping was due to dumped construction materials as opposed to white goods. A large proportion of flytipped materials were left within countryside areas. However, she agreed to provide information on a Ward by Ward basis to all Members of the Council via a briefing note.   

·         Rochester and Strood Riverside

A Member sought clarification as to the timescale for the regeneration works at Rochester and Strood Riverside.

The Director of Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation confirmed that work would begin on the Rochester Riverside site in the next year and the regeneration scheme would be delivered in 10 – 12 years’ time.

Strood Riverside was a key strategic site and officers would be seeking external funding for flood defence works at the Civic Centre site as part of a Local Growth Fund bid.

·         Integrated transport – Review of controlled parking zones

A Member requested that information be supplied on the proposed review of controlled parking zones, what changes are proposed and how Members can get involved.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:

a)            that the end of year Quarter 4 2015/16 performance against the Key Measures of Success used to monitor progress against the Council Plan 2015/16 be noted;

b)            it be noted that the Director of Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation will discuss with Communications the promotion of the issue of domestic violence incidents during football tournaments via social media.

c)            a briefing note be circulated to all Members of the Council on the following issues:

·         Flytipping on a Ward by Ward basis

·         Information on the Review of Controlled Parking Zones across Medway and how Members can get involved.