Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors J Goodeve, D Oldridge and P Philips.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2016

RESOLVED - that the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman stated that this was the last meeting of Community Scrutiny Committee.  She commented that she had enjoyed the experience of working together. 

The Chairman provided an update in relation to Mental Health Day which she said, would be held at The Rhodes Centre in Bishop’s Stortford on 17 September 2017.

The Chairman welcomed Chief Inspector Gerald McDonald of Hertfordshire Police and other Officers to the meeting.

The Head of Housing and Health submitted a report which provided an understanding of the changing nature of crime associated with the minimisation of crime within the night time economy (NTE).  The report also identified issues requiring more investigation. 

Chief Inspector McDonald provided a summary of the report.  He stated that despite low levels of crime generally in East Herts, crime within the NTE were highest in Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford adding that police intelligence suggested that the main victims of the NTE were in their early mid-twenties and twice as many men as women.  Members’ attention was drawn to a number of the proposed actions as detailed in the report, which would support the minimisation of crime associated with the NTE. 

The Chief Inspector referred to the possibility of seeking accreditation of Purple Flag (a standards and management process for managing the NTE within Towns and City Centres).  The Chief Inspector referred to crime within Hertford and the positive contribution made by the Taxi Marshalling Scheme.  He expressed concern that this scheme would not be supported further in Bishop’s Stortford and how this might impact negatively on crime figures. 

The Chief Inspector referred to increasing crime figures in Buntingford usually by people coming into the area from locations such as London and Harlow and the absence of a Pub Watch in that location.  He referred to the increasing use of Uber taxis which were not registered and not managed and the impact this could have on crime figures.

In response to a query from Councillor I Devonshire, the Head of Health and Housing provided an update on Scannet and advised that there were ongoing discussions with Bishop’s Stortford Town Council (BSTC) in relation to the Taxi Marshalling Scheme.  Councillor N Symonds expressed her concern and frustration at the action of BSTC in withdrawing funding support for the Taxi Marshalling Scheme. 

Councillor P Ruffles praised the positive contribution of the Taxi Marshalling Scheme in Hertford and raised a number of queries about the NTE, crime (and alcohol related crime) in Hertford (which was very low) which Officers responded to.  The advantages of Pub Watch were discussed. Officers were also trying to find ways for other pubs, not part of Pub Watch, to communicate with each other such as using WhatsApp. 

In response to a query from Councillor M Pope, the Head of Housing and Health praised the use of CCTV in taxis and the need to continually promote this.  He stressed the need to continually strengthen working in partnership.

In response to a query from Councillor N Symonds about restricting late licences in an effort to reduce alcohol related crime, Licensing Officers explained that applications were viewed on a case by case basis with due regard to risk factors, noise nuisance and any past anti-social behaviour.

Officers provided an update regarding the deployment of its five CCTV cameras adding that they needed to be upgraded.

Members recognised the need to promote Taxi Marshalling Schemes and CCTV within taxis in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 648.

The Executive Member for Economic Development submitted a report outlining options for the future management of the market service.  The Environmental Inspection Team Manager provided a summary of the report.

In response to a question from Councillor P Ruffles, the Environmental Team Inspection Manager explained what might happen if one town wished to manage itself and another did not.  Councillor N Symonds explained how well the process worked with regard to Bishop’s Stortford market and the freedom it had to hold a variety of different promotional events.  Councillor M Pope expressed concern regarding Ware Town Council’s ability to manage its own market and issues associated with funding and staffing.  The Environmental Team Inspection Manager explained that these issues would be reviewed carefully so that informed decisions could be made.

In response to a query from Councillor I Devonshire, the Environmental Team Inspection Manager explained why the markets services were operating at a deficit.

The Committee approved the report, as now submitted.

RESOLVED – that (A) Town Councils be approached to negotiate a way forward to manage the markets in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Ware as detailed in the report; and

(B)   the feasibility of transferring the rights to licence other markets in the District to Town Councils be investigated.

The Head of Operations submitted a report providing an overview of the draft Physical Activity Strategy as now detailed and sought feedback on the draft strategy which would be submitted to the Executive for approval in the summary 2017.  The Head of Operations explained the need to have an overarching policy which would integrate and complement with the development of the leisure strategy. 

The Head of Operations provided Members with a thought provoking presentation by Dr Mike Evans on the health benefits to be accrued to individuals’ in taking part in at least 30 minutes a day of daily exercise. 

In response to a query from Councillor N Symonds, the Head of Operations explained that working collaboratively and in partnership with national and local organisations on key strategic themes, would support residents and children in becoming more active, but it was recognised that it was everybody’s responsibility to encourage physical activity.  The Head of Operations commented that it was about improving the infrastructure and modernising the approach to physical activity, e.g. cycling and making this more popular by developing partnership working and a supportive structure. 

The Leisure Services Development Manager provided a summary of the role of religious groups in terms of their contribution to the community. 

In response to a query, the Head of Operations explained how the Council supported the promotion of health to its staff.

Councillor M Freeman referred to the role of the community including local businesses in supporting activity.  He suggested that businesses could provide showers for e.g. cyclists.  Councillor A Alder commented that going to the gym was not attractive to everyone and that it was about looking at an individual’s lifestyle to see how best activity could be optimised.

The Committee approved the report, as now submitted.

RESOLVED – that (A) Members’ comments now detailed on the draft Physical Activity Strategy within Essential Reference Paper “B” of the report submitted, be incorporated prior to public consultation; and

(B)   the strategy be supported for submission to the Executive in summer 2017 for approval.

The Chairman of Community Scrutiny committee submitted a report setting out the arrangements for the work programme in the context of changes to the scrutiny committee system.

The Scrutiny Officer referred Members to the Annual Scrutiny Report which would be published shortly and which would provide feedback on scrutiny work and outcomes for the civic year 2016/17.

The Committee noted the work programme for Community Scrutiny Committee under the new scrutiny system.

RESOLVED – that the work programme for Community Scrutiny Committee be included in the Scrutiny Committee Work Plans under the new scrutiny arrangements.