Agenda item

Question 1:

Councillor Parker asked the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency for an update on the redevelopment of the Ryecroft site.

Councillor Sweeney said that the redevelopment remained a key priority and that a fundamental rethink of the site was being undertaken.  The Council was currently working with legal advisors.  The asbestos level and cost of demolition were also being investigated.

Councillor Parker asked what events would be held, following the granting of planning permission on the former Sainsbury’s site.

Councillor Sweeney confirmed that Gandeys circus would be returning and possible music events would be considered. 

Question 2:

Councillor Fear asked the Leader for an update on the introduction of PSPOs, particularly in relation to aggressive begging in the town centre.

The Leader stated this had been considered by the Licensing and Public Protection Committee on 30 April, 2019.  Breaches of the order would result in Fixed Penalty Notices for drinking, begging and so on.

Two new sites had been added, for the Town Centre and Queen Elizabeth Park.  The Council was working with partners and offering support.

Other options available could be Community Protection Notices or Community Behaviour Orders.

Councillor Fear stated that a recent Scrutiny Committee had found that zero tolerance yielded good results and asked if this Council would take that approach.

The Leader stated that the main offenders were rough sitters not rough sleepers.  The zero tolerance approach was possible for aggressive begging.

Question 3:

Councillor Paul Waring asked what the cost of the artwork was in the Grosvenor Roundabout.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, Councillor Trevor Johnson stated that it had cost £3,160, funded by the Government’s High street Community Cleanup Fund.

The inspiration for the mural had come from school children.

Councillor Paul Waring asked if any others were planned.

Councillor Trevor Johnson stated that other subways around the Borough were being looked at but was unsure as to what themes would be used in them.

The Council had received £26,000 from the Community Cleanup Fund and £50,000 from the Parks and Play Areas Fund.

Question 4:

Councillor Robinson asked the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing, Councillor Jill Waring if a PSPO could be considered for Clough Hall Park following continued reports of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Jill Waring advised that there had been a small number of isolated incidents in Clough Hall Park and, at present a PSPO was not the most proactive approach.  Injunctions and Fixed Penalty Notices would be more appropriate.

Any criminal activity was being investigated by the police  whilst local schools were being worked with to deter anti social behaviour.

To introduce a PSPO would require persistent behaviour and evidence of such.

Councillor Robinson stated that incidents had been reported in the national press and asked if the Portfolio Holder could begin to consult to introduce a PSPO in Clough Hall Park.

Councillor Jill Waring stated that statistics were based on the number of reported incidents  and if these were not reported, the Council and Police could not move forward.  Councillor Waring had visited the Park on a number of occasions and had not seen any anti social behaviour.

Question 5:

Councillor Robinson asked the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing what action had been taken to put further pressure on Staffordshire Police to confiscate mini motorbikes following problems regarding their illegal use in parks and on footpaths.

Councillor Jill Waring confirmed that any complaints received were shared with the Police and joint initiatives.  Over the last month, Section 59’s had been issued by the Police.

Councillor Robinson stated that he had met with Chief Inspector Clair Langley and had discussed  a shared policy being used on Cannock Chase to tackle this. Councillor Waring was asked if she would meet with the Chief Inspector and teams from Cannock to replicate this in the Borough.

Councillor Jill Waring would be willing to meet with the Chief Inspector and stated that there were four areas in the Borough where this was a problem: Silverdale; Chesterton; Bradwell Woods and Birchenwood.