Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Councillor A Fear was appointed as Chair for the meeting

An apology was received from the Chair, Councillor G White, from the Vice Chair, Councillor Gill Heesom and Councillor A Rout.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 20 June 2019

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2019 were agreed as a correct record subject to a note being made within the final paragraph of item 5 – Allocation and Homeless Policy that Councillor Fear was not supportive of activities to help and support rough sleepers.

This item provides an opportunity for the Portfolio Holder to update members of the Scrutiny Committee on the response of Cabinet to the suggestions made by the Committee at their last meeting.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Sweeney presented the report from the Leader, circulated at the meeting, which provided an update in response to the recommendations made by the Scrutiny Committee on 20 June.

Visits by the Cabinet Member to town centres and markets had continued, including recently Wigan, Leek and Market Drayton as part of the benchmarking exercise.  All the visits would be reported to the 12 December meeting.

Footfall figures provided by the BID showed that there was a fall of 13.27% and a fall of 14.38% from 3pm compared with the year 2018/2019.

Meetings were ongoing regarding diverted giving schemes

Provision has been made to recruit to the senior planning team, on an interim basis initially. A new case management strategy has been put in place and the department exceeded government targets in the first quarter.

A Communications Plan dedicated to the introduction of the new recycling service has been produced which will be monitored and updated. 

Agreed:         That the report be noted

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The Cabinet member for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor S Sweeney, represent the report on the draft Car Parking Strategy for pre-decision scrutiny. 

The strategy reviewed the current car parking provision and set out the future options to ensure the most effective provision.  The Strategy highlighted the key objectives:-

·        To provide car parking which meets the current and future needs of the town centre for visitors, businesses and residents that will live in the town centre

·        Optimise the cost-efficiency of the car park assets

·        Minimise congestion and improve air quality

To deliver these objectives the strategy set out a range of issues together with an action plan.

Members scrutinised the strategy and asked:-

·        For Pay on Exit to be given priority.

·        For the strategy to include informative signage relating to the types and location of the car parks on entry to the Town Centre

·        A flat rate of charge to support all businesses both large and small

Agreed:         That, Cabinet be requested to take the comments of members into account when considering the Car Parking Strategy.

The Head of Recycling and Fleet Services presented a report which updated members on progress on the development for the introduction of the new recycling collection service together with Quarter 4 performance.

Round modelling had taken place and testing of the new rounds with operational staff and with the correct type of vehicle was planned for October for a minimum of 12 weeks. In addition procurement of wheeled bins, bags to hold cardboard and paper, vehicles, changes to the Knutton Lane Depot Station to accommodate the new service and the installation of a material recovery facility to process glass, cans and plastic.

The officer explained that the majority of the missed bins related mainly to the assisted collection service and that this was the main area of focus.  Overall in June 2019 99.92% of bins had been collected successfully.

The officer confirmed that the disused plastics boxes would not be collected and residents were free to reuse them. Operationally, they could not continue to be used.

Agreed:         That the report be noted

The Business Improvement Manager presented the strategy on the reduction/elimination of single use plastics (SUP) for review by this Committee.

Work to date included:-

·        The development of baseline data

·        SUP elimination or replacement

·        Collection and recycling of SUP

·        Internal and Town Centre Campaigns

With regard to the Action Plan members asked for a column to be included to detail when the specific actions had been completed.

Agreed:         That the report be noted.

Committee will consider this item at a Special Meeting of the Committee (date to be confirmed)

This item will be considered at a special meeting of the committee on a date to be confirmed.

The Chief Executive submitted a report which set out the future work programme.

Agreed:         That, in addition the report from Cabinet on the benchmarking visits to other town centres and markets, the 12 December meeting consider a report on Bradwell Crematorium to include the expenditure and maintenance programme and the feasibility of setting up of a Friends of Bradwell Crematorium Group.

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 at the meeting.

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

There were no items of urgent business.