Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Chair, Councillor Wilkes and Councillor Gardner, with Councillor Fox-Hewitt as substitute. 

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 1^st March 2021.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st March 2021 be confirmed as a correct record. 

Nothing to report.

There was nothing to report back from Cabinet. 

Councillor Heesom, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing, introduced the report on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) which had been requested at a previous meeting of the Committee. 

The Partnerships Manager and Senior Partnerships Officer presented the report highlighting the following items:

-       Background including the legal definition  of ASB and examples; how the council worked with partners to manage ASB;

-       A snapshot of the local picture which saw new ASB cases in 2020/21 of 461 which was an increase of 26% compared to the previous year.  The report set out the complaints by Local Action Partnership Area and by type of complaint with the most common being general nuisance followed by neighbour nuisance.

-       Local arrangements to deal with ASB and the powers available to councils; there were various tools to address low level incidents including diversionary activities, verbal and written warnings and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts/Parenting Contracts.  There were also a range of formal and legal actions to address more serious incidents.  Any criminal activities would be promptly disseminated to the Police. 

-       The impact of Covid-19 was set out; the council had continued to offer services to victims of ASB and action had continued to be taken against perpetrators.  The council had taken action against households who had not complied with Covid restrictions and numerous individuals had been excluded from parts of the Borough, particularly Newcastle town centre.

-       Delivery of diversionary activities had been impacted by Covid restrictions.  The council was discussing with partners the SPACE scheme for summer 2021 and also working with schools and the County Council to develop activities for young people through the remainder of the year. 

-       CCTV had been installed in Newcastle town centre, delivered by Stoke on Trent City Council; this was having benefits in reacting to ASB and other crimes.

-       The Partnership team were working with the Housing Team and partners including Rough Sleepers Service to tackle perceived issues of ASB involving people with complex needs such as substance misuse, homelessness and mental health.  There had been an increase in complaints relating to street drinking and disruptive behaviour and enforcement action had been used for a small number of individuals but only as a last resort. 

Members raised a number of queries and issues on the report:

-       Issues reported on social media often experienced long delays in getting a response, sometimes there was no response.  In light of the increase in ASB and reduced diversionary activities due to the pandemic, were there plans to increase visible patrols through partners.  In response, the Committee was informed that the council services operated Monday – Friday between 9.00am – 5.00pm; however, officers worked closely with the Police to identify issues and hotspots and identify where a targeted response would be appropriate.   The council would also use complaints information to identify where work should be specifically targeted and who would provide the response this could include Police patrols, signage, outreach, work with housing providers and local schools etc.    Officers encouraged residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Committee considered the final report of the Scrutiny Review into encouraging greater use of parks and open spaces.  The Working Party had focused on 3 main areas – level of usage, barriers to access and knowledge of existing parks and open spaces.  The Working Party had met 3 times and their recommendations were outlined in the report. 

Members discussed marketing the current provision in the Borough and the Head of Operations advised this would be part of the One Council programme which was aiming to make services more accessible. 

Resolved: that the recommendations of the Working Party as set out below, be approved and forwarded to Cabinet for consideration:

(a)  the importance of open spaces for physical and mental health and wellbeing is emphasised and given appropriate priority in the Council’s annual budget setting programme and the One Council programme in relation to digital promotion of the service and customer engagement with it.

(b)  Initial pilot work is undertaken to improve information on open spaces on the website, including a register of strategic open spaces with location maps, and QR codes at 2 sites (Lyme Valley and Bathpool Park) which enable users to upload feedback. Resources to be made available to implement this work. Existing web “report it” functions are reviewed and improved via the One Council programme where necessary.

(c)  The existing tree planting project in the Environmental Sustainability Strategy is reviewed to incorporate potential community “sponsor a tree” initiatives (eg 850 trees to celebrate the Borough’s 850th anniversary in 2023) and Britain in Bloom community projects. The Council’s Urban Forest Strategy (2013) is also reviewed and updated to reaffirm support for such initiatives.

(d)  External funding and partnership activity is reviewed and capacity issues highlighted

The Committee considered the notes from the regular meeting with Tracey Shewan of the Clinical Commissioning Group.  The current position with the vaccine rollout in Staffordshire had been discussed.  At the time of the meeting there were 12 patients in the Royal Stoke Hospital with Covid and only one person in the ITU.  A briefing on the vaccination programmed was to be held for all Councillors across Staffordshire on 16^th June. 

Members were advised that the Council continued to promote the messages about Covid safety on the website and intranet; street messaging remained in place and Covid marshals were present; visits to premises were also done to ensure they had the correct measures in place. 

Resolved: that the update be noted. 

To receive feedback from members of this committee who attended the meetings of the Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee

The Committee considered the digest from Staffordshire County Council outlining the work of the Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee at its meeting on 16^th March 2021.

Resolved: that the update be received. 

The Committee considered the Work Programme.  Members discussed:

-       Including an item on Walley’s Quarry from the perspective of the health issues and impact.  The Head of Legal and Governance advised that the Economy, Environment and Place Scrutiny Committee had undertaken a review but he would discuss with colleagues outside the meeting whether this Committee could also consider the matter from the specific focus within its remit.

-       Members requested an item on Air Quality in relation to the Directive and traffic emissions and the impact.

Resolved: that

(a)  the items for the September meeting include – the Newcastle Housing Advice Service; Police, Crime and Fire Commissioner to report on ASB; regular update from the meeting with the CCG;

(b)  the item on Walley’s Quarry be subject to discussion outside the meeting; and

(c)  an update be made to a future meeting on Air Quality. 

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.

There were no Members of the Public present. 

There were no items of urgent business.