Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Allport, Mancey, Panter and G. Williams.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Resolved:                 That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2016 be agreed as a correct record.

With regard to the investigation being undertaken by members of the Committee into the maintenance of subways within the Borough the Chair was pleased to note that the remainder of the condition surveys had were collected.  Members were reminded to ensure that all paperwork was to be completed and returned to the Chair by no later than 31 October.

Members went on to consider their next steps in completing the investigation.

·        It was agreed that the Chair would present an interim report for input by members at a meeting of the Committee during December. 

·        It was agreed that the Chair request a meeting with the Portfolio Holder at Staffordshire County Council, Mr Mark Deaville and Inspector Mark Barlow from Staffordshire Police to discuss possible ways forward. Members of the Committee would be invited to attend the meeting).

It was agreed that the following issues would be examined at the meeting

·        That, where there is sufficient footfall,  Staffordshire County Council be asked to investigate the siting of electronic advertising boards as a way to help offset the cost of maintenance and cleaning of the subways.

·        That Staffordshire County Council be asked for their views on the Borough assuming responsibility for the decorative maintenance of the subways via funding from the District Deal.

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·         The Senior Partnerships Officer and Inspector Barlow be invited to contribute information regarding anti-social behaviour incidents within the subways to help support a business case.

·         Staffordshire County Council be asked to have regard to the relationship of the condition and use of subways to their Safer Routes to School policy.

The Chair of this Committee agreed, in consultation with the Regeneration and Economic Development Manager, to investigate Arts Council funding for town centre subways and to also engage in a dialogue with Newcastle College regarding the College taking over the responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the subway nearest to the college.

With regard to the use of unpaid work to help improve the condition of the subways the Chair of this Committee agreed to contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to investigate a possible solution to funding the cost of supervision for the services of the Community Payback Team and the Youth Offending Team.

The Chair agreed to contact the responsible officer for Britain in Bloom to look at the possibility of a subway business sponsor.

That the LAPs be asked for their views regarding subways including usage.

Members noted that, whilst subways were being closed as part of the redevelopment in major cities because they were no longer considered to be fit for purpose this could result in traffic disruption within our town centre. A member reported that the Dimsdale subway across the A34 was well used especially by patrons of the nearby McDonalds.

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

The Chair reported on correspondence received from by Mr Kozlowski concerning the Boroughs commitment to the principles contained within the Carbon Management Plan as compared with the investment strategy of the Staffordshire Pension Fund.

Continuing, the Chair referred to the written response to Mr Kozlowski from the Leader of the Council concerning the obligations of the Fund to over 150 employers across Staffordshire to achieve the best financial return on the fund’s assets.

There was no Urgent Business.

The Scrutiny Committee will meet during December as an addition to the next scheduled meeting on 23 January, 2017.