Agenda and minutes

An apology was given on behalf of Councillor Parker for lateness.

To receive declarations of interest from members on items included on this agenda.

Councillor Northcott declared an interest as Vice Chair of the Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 21 June 2018

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

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

Agreed:         That the minutes of the Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee held on 16 July and 23 July and the digest of the meeting held on 13 August be noted.

The Vice Chair, along with Councillors Gardner and Panter, reported on the visit to view the Council’s CCTV facilities.

Members expressed their gratitude to the volunteers who gave their time to support work at the CCTV.

The Vice Chair referred to the age of the current system and to difficulties encountered with the static nature and location of the cameras, which gave rise to a restricted view in a number of locations.

With regard to potential funding partners, members asked that the Leader, as Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Service Improvement, People and Partnerships, be asked to support a request to the Cabinet for additional monies towards improvement of the CCTV system, and that the BID and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner be also asked to contribute.

A member pointed out the need to be sensitive in terms of the established trees within the street environment.

It was agreed that officers examine options to enhance the current CCTV provision within the Borough and report to this committee setting out the opportunities and restrictions.

Agreed:         (i)      That officers from the Partnerships team together with the Borough Engineer prepare for consideration by this Committee options for improving the current CCTV system at the Borough.

                        (ii)     That the gratitude of the Committee be conveyed to the volunteers who supported work with the Borough CCTV.

                        (iii)    That arrangements be made for a visit by members to view the CCTV facilities at Stoke on Trent City Council and that feedback on the visit be given at the December meeting of this Committee.

In accordance with a request of this Committee (21/6/18), the Executive Director of Regeneration and Development summited a report on current initiatives in the town centre undertaken by the Council and partners in response to anti-social activities.

The report examined the issue of rough sleepers in the town centre.  As part of the Homelessness Strategy, a specialist Rough Sleeper Outreach service was jointly commissioned with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and delivered by Brighter Futures.

The main reason for a spike in antisocial behaviour including street drinking was attributed to a combination of problematic individuals and an influx of offenders attending the North Staffordshire Justice Centre, together with a heatwave which had contributed to an increase in the number of rough sleepers and persistent and aggressive beggars.

The report identified a number of strategies to deter the unwelcome activities, including a review of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to include begging, the use of Section 34 and 35 powers by the Police to disperse beggars for up to 48 hours and the issue of Community Protection Warning Notices.

A Town Centre Working Group had been established to identify and address ongoing issues with a combination of support and encouragement.

Any member of the public who might wish to help someone in need could contribute to the ‘Make it Count’ scheme which had been designed to address begging in the town centre by encouraging people to make a donation via a collection box.  The money donated would be distributed to the registered charities affiliated to the scheme – Brighter Futures and One Recovery.

Continuing, it was explained how the Purple Flag accreditation scheme was designed to improve the early evening and night time offering in the town centre.

In response to questions from members regarding chuggers within the town centre it was explained that whilst there was a system of control in place this related solely to direct debit contributions. Information concerning the designated areas/times would be circulated to members of the Committee.

Agreed:         That the report be noted.

In accordance with a request of the Committee (21/6/2018) the Executive Director of Regeneration and Development submitted a report concerning emergency planning and business continuity and winter preparedness.

Agreed:         That the report be noted.

Parkinson’s disease

Councillor Maxfield reported on progress of the review she had conducted of the information available following diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.  Councillor Maxfield circulated a printed booklet for comment which she had compiled as a self-help guide – ‘You have Parkinson’s….What now?’ 

Members complimented Councillor Maxfield on the depth and extent of the work undertaken. A final copy of the booklet would be submitted to this Committee prior to consideration by Cabinet.

The Acting Chief Executive referred to the work programme.  In view of the key dates in respect to Britain in Bloom it was agreed that this report would be submitted to the December meeting of the Committee.

Council agreed (21/2/2018) to sign up to the Local Authority Mental Health Challenge (LAMHC) and in this respect the Member Champion, Councillor J Waring, reported on work undertaken to identify the priority issues.

To develop work in this area it was considered helpful to link with Keele University to understand the student support service and to connect with opportunities to enhance understanding and knowledge of mental health issues.

Agreed:         That the report be noted.

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 questions from members of the public on this occasion.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100 B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972

There were no items of urgent business.

Monday 3 December 2018 at 7:00pm.