Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were shared as listed above.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the last meeting of the Committee.

Resolved:    That the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd March 2025 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

To receive feedback from members who attended the meetings of Staffordshire County Council Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Chair said there had been an induction meeting on the Monday which he was unable to attend. Training slides had been shared and County Councillor Adam Griffiths had been assigned to working with Newcastle’s Scrutiny Committee and officers.

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A presentation will be provided by Staffordshire Police.

The Chair welcomed Staffordshire Police officers.

Deputy Commander Joel Hurst introduced himself and his colleague Sgt Dave Henshall. A presentation on policing antisocial behaviours in the borough was provided to members.

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Cllr Whieldon enquired about problem profiles.

The Deputy Commander advised that this could be both about assigning a classification to one person’s behaviour or to a specific problem.

Cllr Whieldon asked what the police would do once a problem had been identified to stop it from recuring.

Sgt Henshall responded that a problem-solving meeting would take place, and all the information would be brought to one single point of contact who would then address it through education and if deemed necessary prosecution which was often the most efficient way of dealing with matters.

The Deputy Commander added that each problem had its own resolution path. Drug dealing issues for instance could not be addressed the same way as homelessness. The problem-solving meeting would gather organisations and partner agencies that were best positioned to help resolve the situation.

Cllr Reece enquired about nuisance bikes and related criminal activities.

The Deputy Commander responded that crime could be committed alongside nuisance bikes when for example a motorbike helmet or balaclava was used to hide one’s identity. These were however separate from anti-social behaviours and dealt with as criminal matters.

Sgt Henshall added that there were fortunately very few of these incidents with no gangs or mass bikers committing robberies in Newcastle.

Cllr Reece wondered about the reporting process and how one could tell the difference between nuisance bikes and crime involving the use of a motorcycle.

The Deputy Commander advised that information about a vehicle could be cross referenced with data held by partner agencies. People simply needed to report what they saw as just a few lines from one person on a record / entry could be matched with a call received from another person.

Cllr Wilkes asked if the police was partnering with motorbike retailers as regards nuisance bikes.

Sgt Henshall responded that they did not, and it would be more to do with trading standards. The Deputy Commander added that it wasn’t illegal to sell them, own them or ride them, making it difficult to tackle the issue at the source of sale.

Cllr Dymond asked if it was legal to drive electric scooters on the pavement.

The Deputy Commander responded that it was illegal to drive them anywhere that is not the road.

Cllr Barker said she worked at One Stop community shop in Chesterton and the camera running 24/7 picked up a lot of crime related behaviours which she reported to phone line 101 when she noticed them and could be of interest to the police.

The Deputy Commander advised that the police would come and look at CCTV footage when specific issues were being reported and investigated.

Cllr Whieldon enquired about communication and publicity around the reporting process for members of the public witnessing offenses. She also asked if an audit of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services introduced the update report on Walleys Quarry as presented to Cabinet on 3^rd June.

Cllr Casey-Hulme expressed concerns over recent news suggesting the landfill had now actually been abandoned. The Environment Agency did not intend to permanently cap and was removing the MMFs with no water services management in place and no restoration of the site. It was feared this would eventually open to the elements, there wouldn’t be any security, and children would be able to go and play there. It was requested that the matter be discussed at the next meeting of the full Council.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services responded that the operator having now gone into liquidation the priority was to make things stable on site and then looking at the longer-term options. A staged approach was essential, and the Council was currently working with the Environment Agency to deal with things as they were on site at the moment before moving on to the next stage of development.

Cllr Holland commented that there was always an option to raise issues relating to Walleys Quarry at full Council as the item was included in the Leader’s statement. Members were encouraged to never lose an opportunity to represent residents on this matter, the long-term future of the site and inaction demonstrated by the Environment Agency being indeed a great concern. The fact that odours had reduced was very welcomed and the question was now what the Council could do to press the regulator who was stewarding the site.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services confirmed that the dialogue would be maintained to press the government, Environment Agency and liquidators.

The Chair stated that while it was nice to see that a lot of work had been going on and that the site was in much better condition, there hadn’t been much detailed information about the long-term future of the site. Another public briefing felt appropriate if this is something that could be asked of the Environment Agency along with more information about the MMFs.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services said she would pass on the request for a public meeting to the Environment Agency. The three MMFs stations were still there and it was expected they would be reviewed over time.

Cllr Casey-Hulme said she had evidence from the judicial review of Matthew Richards that the Environment Agency had stated they would not be restoring the site or manage the water and that they would take away the MMFs.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services said she had not been included in the communication referred to and suggested that the information be shared along with having a conversation.

The Chair commented that this highlighted the need for a meeting with the Environment Agency so that they can explain themselves and address the confusion and anxiety for members of the public around the future of the site.

Cllr Barker asked about the £132,000 owed by Walleys Quarry to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Chair went through the work programme and indicated that he hoped a report from the Parks and Open Spaces Task and Finish Working Group would be available for the September meeting.

Cllr Whieldon commented that the group was scheduled to meet on the 30^th June and would be discussing the final report to be presented to the Committee.

Resolved:    That the work programme be noted.

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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.

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

There was no urgent business.

Resolved:    That the next meeting be held on 15^th September 2025 at 7pm.