BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 20 MAY 2008
PRESENT: Mr J A B Long – Chairman
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Mrs S P Clarke
Mr B D Hurren
Mr A F D W Osborne
Mr M Newman |
Mr J R A Sayers
Mrs C A Todd
Mr D L Wood |
Mrs M O Munson was unable to be present.
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1 Election of Vice-Chairman
2 Declaration of Interests
3 Minutes
4 Petitions
5 Questions from Members
6 BT Phone Box Removal Consultation
7 Babergh Community Safety Partnership Annual Review
8 Street Cleansing Action Plan
9 Review of the Effectiveness of New Enforcement Arrangements
10 Work Plan
RESOLVED
That Mr D L Wood be elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.
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Mr D L Wood declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No. 7 below by virtue of the fact that he sits on the Babergh CSP as a member of the Police Authority, but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.
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RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2008 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
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None received.
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None received.
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The Head of Community Development submitted a report (Paper H31) relating to BT’s proposal to remove 43 telephone boxes in the Babergh District, together with details of the consultation programme. Members were aware from paragraph 5.2 of the report that reasons for retention of a telephone box must be robust and should be based on the guidance issued by OFCOM relating to the sort of factors which would support retention.
The Head of Community Development confirmed that, where supported by usage figures, the Council’s initial response (the ‘first notification’) could include reference where relevant to reasons identified by Members. These included the following:-
Members were aware that the Strategy Committee would consider the details of the first notification at its meeting on 19 June to enable the final notification to be submitted by the 2 July deadline.
RESOLVED
That the information set out in Paper H31 relating to BT’s proposals to remove phone boxes in the Babergh District together with details of the Council’s consultation programme be noted. Further, it be noted that the Council’s response will, where supported by usage figures, include appropriate reference to the discussion at the meeting and the contents of Parish Council responses to Babergh.
NOTE – Subsequent to the meeting, BT has advised the extension of the deadline for the final notification (to 16 August) and this matter will now be considered by the Strategy Committee on 31 July.
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The Head of Community Development submitted a report (Paper H32) detailing the progress and work of Babergh’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership which is now known as the Babergh Community Safety Partnership (CSP). Nick Ridley, Chairman of the CSP and one of Babergh’s two representatives on the Partnership, was present at the meeting and referred to some of the background to the working of the Partnership. Mr Ridley and Paul Little, Community Safety and Leisure Manager, responded to Members’ questions on various issues including the provision of age-related play equipment, concerns around levels of domestic violence, and the relationship between the CSP and the LSPs.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
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The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper H33) which had been produced in response to the request of the Strategy Committee on 27 September 2007 for an Action Plan to improve satisfaction levels. He informed Members that the information referred to in paragraph 5.5 of the report (list of non-adopted areas on new housing sites) has been complied.
RESOLVED
(1) That the revised satisfaction levels set out in paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 of Paper H33 be noted.
(2) That the Action Plan attached as Appendix 1 to Paper H33 be approved.
(3) That the operation of the Open Space Management Contract be reviewed after the first year.
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The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper H34) providing an update of enforcement activity and reviewing the effectiveness of new enforcement arrangements and other matters. Members noted that reports on various enforcement-related matters have been identified for consideration at future meetings, including
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A policy for planning enforcement which will address, inter alia, proportionality issues
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A review of street trading
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
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RESOLVED
That the Work Plan submitted as Paper H35 be noted.
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Note: The Committee adjourned for refreshments between 11.15 a.m. and 11.20 a.m.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 1.10 p.m.
Chairman
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