12 07 2006

Borough of Gosport

A MEETING of the COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF GOSPORT was held in the Council Chamber at the TOWN HALL, GOSPORT on WEDNESDAY, the TWELFTH day of JULY 2006 at 6.00PM.

The Mayor (Councillor Mrs Cully) (P) (in the Chair);

The Deputy Mayor (Councillor Gill) (P);

Councillors Allen (P), Ms Ballard (P), Burgess (P), Carr (P), Carter (P), Mrs Champion (P), Champion (P), Chegwyn (P), Clinton (P), Cully (P), Davis (P), Dickson (P), Edgar (P), Farr (P), Foster (P), Foster-Reed (P), Hicks (P), Hook (P), Jacobs (P), Kimber (P), Langdon (P), Mrs Mudie (P), Philpott (P), Redrup (P), Rigg (P), Mrs Salter (P), Smith (P), Taylor (P), Train (P), Ward (P), Mrs Wright (P) and Wright (P).

Also in attendance: Honorary Aldermen Mrs Bailey, Searle and Mrs Snaith.

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APOLOGIES

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were submitted on behalf of Honorary Aldermen Flory, Foster and O’Neill.

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MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Annual and Adjourned Annual meetings of the Council held on 17 and 18 May 2006 be confirmed and signed.

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MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS

(A) CIVIC SUNDAY – 2 JULY 2006

The Mayor thanked those Councillors who had attended her Civic Sunday Service on 2 July 2006 at Holy Trinity Church, Gosport.

(B) GOSPORTEERS BAND CONCERT, BULSON HALL, LEE-ON-SOLENT – 26 JULY 2006

The Mayor advised that the Gosporteers had organised a concert by the Royal Army Medical Crops, Territorial Army Band at Bulson Hall, Lee-on-Solent on Wednesday, 26 July 2006 at 7pm. Tickets for the concert were currently available.

(C) WATERFRONT FESTIVAL, WALPOLE PARK – 30 JUNE – 2 JULY 2006

The Mayor thanked those Councillors and officers who had been involved in the successful Waterfront Festival at Walpole Park, Gosport from 30 June – 2 July 2006.

(D) NOMINATED DEPUTY FOR REGULATORY BOARD

The Mayor informed the Council that Councillor Allen needed to be added to the list of Nominated Deputies for the Regulatory Board following his replacement on the Board. The Mayor had agreed to put this item before Councillors by reason of special circumstances that this appointment had to be made by Council.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Allen be added to the list of Nominated Deputies for the Regulatory Board.

(E) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS TO THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS PANEL

The Mayor reported that she wished to put before Councillors the need for additional member appointments to the Customer Complaints Panel. The Mayor had agreed to this by reason of special circumstances that there is a complaint, regarding a planning application, at the stage where it is to be considered by the Panel. However two of the members of the Panel had been involved in the matter and therefore could not be seen as independent. There was a need to appoint a Panel as soon as possible so the complaint may be dealt with as expeditiously as possible. In the circumstances it was necessary to appoint further members to the Panel which would still comprise three members drawn from the pool of six and it would be intended that Panels would still be on a 1:1:1 basis.

RESOLVED: That –

(i) a further three members be appointed to the Customer Complaints Panel, namely, Councillors Chegwyn, Cully and one member to be nominated by the Conservative Group; and

(ii) three Councillors be appointed for a Customer Complaints Panel on a proportion of 1:1:1 from the six Councillors nominated for the Panel.

A MEETING OF THE POLICY AND ORGANISATION BOARD

WAS HELD ON 28 JUNE 2006

The Mayor (Councillor Mrs Cully) (ex-officio); Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Hook) (P); Councillors Burgess (P), Carter (P), Chegwyn (P), Cully (P), Gill (P), Langdon (P), Smith, Taylor (P) and Wright .

It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Orders, Councillors Carr and Train had been nominated to attend the meeting in place of Councillors Smith and Wright respectively.


PART I

5.		CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 2005 - CROSS REFERENCE FROM THE COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT BOARD 12 JUNE 2006

Consideration was given to a cross reference from the Community and Environment Board which had met on 12 June 2006 (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix “P01”).

Having considered a report of the Borough Solicitor and the Environmental Services Manager, the Community and Environment Board had made a number of recommendations. The Policy and Organisation Board agreed that the recommendations contained in the cross reference be made to Council.

RECOMMENDED: That:

a)			the proposed amendments to the Delegations to Officers, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Borough Solicitor and the Environmental Services Manager, be approved;

b)			the proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference to the Community and Environment Board, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report of the Borough Solicitor and the Environmental Services Manager, be approved;

c)			the fixed penalties, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report of the Borough Solicitor and the Environmental Services Manager, be approved; and

d)			the Borough Solicitor be authorised to make all the necessary amendments to the Constitution to give effect to the above.

RESOLVED: That the recommendations contained in Minute No 5 be approved and adopted.




6.		GOVERNANCE AND AUDIT MATTERS

Consideration was given to a joint report of the Borough Solicitor and the Head of Internal Audit (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix “P02”), which advised the Board of a review of the Council’s governance arrangements. Members were requested to recommend to Council the following changes to the Constitution.

RECOMMENDED: That -

a)	Audit and Risk matters be reported to the Conduct and Standards Committee, to be renamed the Standards and Governance Committee;

b)	the Terms of Reference for the Standards and Governance Committee (as set out in Appendix 1 of the report of the Borough Solicitor and Head of Internal Audit) be approved; and

c)	the Borough Solicitor be authorised to make all necessary and consequential amendments to the Constitution to give effect to the above and to update the Constitution to reflect the Council’s current structure and legal provisions relating to Access to Information (Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

RESOLVED: That the recommendations contained in Minute No 6 be approved and adopted.

7.		FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

Consideration was given to a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix “PO3”), which advised Members of the need to update the Council’s Financial Regulations (previous version updated in April 2002) in line with a nationally recommended model outlined in the CIPFA publication “A Good Practice Guide to Financial Regulations for an English Modern Council”. Members were requested to recommend to Council that the updated Financial Regulations (attached to the report as Appendix A) be adopted as part of the Council’s Constitution.

RECOMMENDED: That the updated Financial Regulations (Appendix A to the report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive) be adopted as part of the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED: That the recommendation contained in Minute No 7 be approved and adopted.

NOTICES OF MOTION

(A) It was reported that Councillor Smith had given notice of the following Motion in accordance with Standing Order 3.3:

“That the Council suspend standing orders 4.6 and 4.14 for the purpose of considering the following Motion on Car Park Charges, and standing order 4.6 for the purpose of considering the following Motion on the Custody Suite at Gosport Police Station and the proposed change to Council standing orders.”

The Motion was accordingly seconded by Councillor Chegwyn.

The Motion was put to the meeting, and upon the Mayor’s casting vote, duly RESOLVED.

(B) It was reported that Councillor Smith had given notice of the following Motion in accordance with Standing Order 3.3:

“That the Council moves to Committee under Standing Order 4.15.1 for the purpose of considering the Motion on car park charges.”

The Motion was accordingly seconded by Councillor Chegwyn.

The Motion was put to the meeting, and upon the Mayor’s casting vote, duly RESOLVED.

(C) It was reported that Councillor Smith had given notice of the following Motion in accordance with Standing Order 3.3:

“That in order to help town centre businesses and the market, the Council reintroduce two hours free car parking in the short stay car parks in Gosport town centre.”

The Motion was accordingly seconded by Councillor Chegwyn.

During the debate on the Motion Members were advised of the content of a briefing note prepared by officers and sent to all Group Leaders

Upon the Motion being put to the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 4.12.4, it was requisitioned that the voting on the Motion be recorded. A recorded vote was thereupon taken and the names of the Members voting for and against the Motion were read to the Council as follows:

FOR THE MOTION: The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors Ms Ballard, Carr, Chegwyn, Cully, Davis, Farr, Foster-Reed, Hicks, Mrs Mudie, Redrup, Mrs Salter, Smith, Train, Wright and Mrs Wright (17).

AGAINST THE MOTION: Councillors Allen, Burgess, Carter, Mrs Champion, Champion, Clinton, Dickson, Edgar, Foster, Hook, Jacobs, Kimber, Langdon, Philpott, Rigg, Taylor and Ward (17).

The Motion was accordingly declared TIED.

Whereupon the Mayor used her casting vote for the Motion which was duly RESOLVED.

(D) It was reported that Councillor Chegwyn had given notice of the following Motion in accordance with Standing Order 3.3:

“That the Council registers its concern and opposition to any move to close the Custody Suite at Gosport Police Station or reduce its hours of operation on any day of the week, believing that this will have an adverse impact on the campaign to reduce crime levels in Gosport and will result in a reduction of service at Gosport Police Station. That the Council resolves to notify the Chief Constable of Hampshire and the Chairman and all members of the Police Authority that Gosport Council feels strongly that the Custody Suite at Gosport Police Station must remain open and fully operational seven days a week.”

The Motion was accordingly seconded by Councillor Smith.

The Motion was put to the meeting and unanimously RESOLVED.

(E) It was reported that Councillor Smith had given notice of the following Motion in accordance with Standing Order 3.3:

“That the Council improve its democratic procedures by amending Standing Order 6.10 with immediate effect so that if any two members of a Service Board wish a decision to be taken by the full Council instead of just the members of a Service Board they have the right to introduce a ‘Minority Order’, the effect of which is that on the request of any two members immediately after a Board decision is taken, that decision stands referred to full Council as a recommendation for final decision.”

“To introduce this ‘Minority Order’ procedure, the existing Standing Order 6.10 should be replaced with a new Standing Order 6.10 as follows and the Borough Solicitor should be given the authority to make necessary and consequential amendments to the constitution to give effect to the Council’s decision:

New Standing Order 6.10

Reference to Council (Service Boards only)

6.10.1 Immediately following a vote on a decision taken by a Service Board under delegated powers (and before the next agenda item is called) 2 members of the Service Board present and voting at the meeting may require that the decision be submitted to the Council as a recommendation.

6.10.2 Where a reference has been made pursuant to Standing Order 6.10.1 the decision of the Service Board shall not be implemented before consideration of that recommendation by the Council.”

The Motion was accordingly seconded by Councillor Chegwyn.

The Motion was put to the meeting, and upon the Mayor’s casting vote, duly RESOLVED.

A MEETING OF THE POLICY AND ORGANISATION BOARD

WAS HELD ON 18 MAY 2006

The Mayor (Councillor Mrs Cully) (ex-officio) (P); Councillors Burgess (P), Carter (P), Chegwyn (P), Cully (P), Gill (P), Hook (Chairman), Langdon (P), Smith (P), Taylor (P), Wright (P)

It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Orders, Councillor Clinton had been nominated to replace Councillor Hook for this meeting.

1.	APOLOGY

An apology for inability to attend the meeting was submitted on behalf of Councillor Hook.

2.	ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED: That Councillor Burgess be appointed Vice-Chairman for the Municipal Year 2006-07.

RESOLVED: That Minute Nos 1 and 2 of the meeting of the Policy and Organisation Board held on 18 May 2006 be received.

A MEETING OF THE POLICY AND ORGANISATION BOARD

WAS HELD ON 28 JUNE 2006

It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Orders, Councillors Carr and Train had been nominated to attend the meeting in place of Councillors Smith and Wright respectively.

3.		APOLOGIES

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were submitted on behalf of the Mayor and Councillors Smith and Wright.

4.		MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Board meetings held on 15 March and 18 May 2006 be approved and signed by the Chairman as true and correct records.

PART II

8.		MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY AND BUDGET STRATEGY 2007/08

Consideration was given to a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive, which requested Members to consider the strategy for preparation of the 2007/08 General Fund Budget in the light of the Medium Term Financial Strategy and recommended that the budget framework for 2007/08 be considered and approved, including the newly prepared Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Members were advised that the strategy would be reviewed annually as part of the budget process.

RESOLVED: That the budget framework for 2007/08, including the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2006/07 – 2010/11, be approved.

9.			2005/06 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

Consideration was given to a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive which set out the background to the requirement for Members to approve the 2005/06 Statement of Accounts which was shortly to be made available for public inspection and audit together with notes on the Statement and outturn position, including an analysis of the main variations from budget.

Members were advised that the Council’s financial position continued to become stronger although this was due principally to underspending in some areas.

RESOLVED: That:

a)			that the Statement of Accounts for the Financial Year ending 31 March 2006 be received and approved;

b)			the revenue variances detailed in Appendix C of the report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive be noted;

c)			the capital programme slippage detailed in Appendix D of the report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive be noted; and

d)			the write-offs approved under delegated authority at Appendix E of the report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive be noted.

10.			INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) STRATEGY APRIL 2006 TO MARCH 2009

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Services Manager which advised Members of the proposed three-year strategy for the use of information and communications technology in the provision and support of Council services.

RESOLVED: That the Information and Communications Technology Strategy April 2006 to March 2009 be approved.

11.	PRIVETT PARK: REPLACEMENT PAVILION – CROSS REFERENCE FROM THE COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT BOARD 12 JUNE 2006

Consideration was given to a cross reference from the Community and Environment Board which had met on 12 June 2006 and had recommended that the Policy and Organisation Board approve Option A of the Leisure and Cultural Services Manager’s report as the preferred course of action in respect of providing appropriate facilities for cricketers, footballers and other sports users of Privett Park.

Option A included the demolition of both no. 1 and no. 2 Pavilions and replacement of both with a two-storey pavilion on the site of the existing no. 1 Pavilion. An initial estimate for such a facility indicated a cost of approximately £1.1 million. This design incorporated changing and showering facilities and also provision for a social area which included a bar.

RESOLVED: That Option A in the report of the Leisure and Cultural Services Manager’s report be approved as the preferred course of action in respect of providing appropriate facilities for cricketers, footballers and other sports users of Privett Park.

12.	ANNUAL AUDIT AND INSPECTION LETTER 2004/05

By reason of special circumstance, the Chairman determined that this item be considered at this meeting notwithstanding the fact that the item had not been available for public inspection in accordance with the provisions of Section 100B (4) (a) of the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.
The special circumstance for consideration of this item at this time was that the Council’s external auditors, at a presentation prior to the Board meeting, had requested that the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter 2004/05 be formally accepted as soon as possible.

RESOLVED: That the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter 2004/05 be formally accepted.

RESOLVED: That Minute Nos 3 and 4 and 8 – 12 of the meeting of the Policy and Organisation Board held on 28 June 2006 be received.

A MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT BOARD

WAS HELD ON 18 MAY 2006

The Mayor (Councillor Mrs Cully) (ex-officio) (P), Chairman of Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Hook) (ex-officio), Councillors Ms Ballard (P), Clinton (P), Champion (P), Dickson (P), Edgar (P), Foster-Reed (P), Kimber (P), Smith (P), Wright (P) and Mrs Wright (P)

1	APOLOGIES

There were no apologies.

2	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

3	ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED: That Councillor Clinton be appointed as Chairman of the Board for the Municipal Year 2006-2007.

4	ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED: That Councillor Kimber be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Board for the Municipal Year 2006-2007.

RESOLVED: That Minute Nos 1 – 4 of the meeting of the Community and Environment Board held on 18 May 2006 be received.

A MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT BOARD

WAS HELD ON 12 JUNE 2006

The Mayor (Councillor Mrs Cully)(ex-officio); Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Hook)(ex-officio); Councillors Ms Ballard (P), Carr (P), Champion (P), Clinton (P), Dickson, Edgar (P), Kimber (P), Smith (P), Wright(P) and Mrs Wright (P)

In accordance with Standing Orders, it was reported that notice had been received that Councillor Hook would replace Councillor Dickson for this meeting.

5.	APOLOGIES

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were submitted on behalf of The Mayor and Councillor Dickson.

6.	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Carr declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 8 on the agenda (Publication of Food Hygiene Inspection Information) left the meeting room and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

7.	MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Board meetings held on 6 March and 18 May 2006 be approved and signed by the Chairman as true and correct records.

PART II

8.	CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 2005

The Board considered the joint report of the Borough Solicitor and the Environmental Services Manager advising Members of the provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. An outline of measures covered by the Act was appended to the report, which related to crime and disorder, fixed penalty notices (fines), nuisance and abandoned vehicles, litter, graffiti, waste, dogs, noise, architecture and building environment and a miscellany of other matters.

The setting of fixed penalties was not to be delegated to officers and as the terms of reference of the Board did not at present include these matters then setting the level of fixed penalties would need to be determined by Council on this occasion with this Board recommending the approach. Future changes to the level of fixed penalties could be included within the Terms of Reference of this Board.

In order to enable effective enforcement of the Act, amendments to the Council’s Constitution were therefore required in respect of delegation to officers and delegation to the Community and Environment Board and the proposed fixed penalties would need to be approved. The Head of Legal Services circulated a summary sheet clarifying the relevant Sections of the various Acts referred to in the joint report, which related to the proposed fixed penalties.

In answer to Members questions about the process for prosecution and issuing fixed penalty notices, the Environmental Services Manager informed the Board that, as a result of a Unit re-structure, an enforcement team had been established, with staff having been trained in the provisions of the Act and instructed how to serve notices. The enforcement team would be working with the Accredited Community Safety Officers and the Police to target ‘hot spots’ where anti social behaviour problems, arising as a result of graffiti, dog fouling, noise and abandoned vehicles, were known to be prevalent.

Members were adamant that when amendments to the Constitution had been approved, the Council should exercise its powers under the Act to ensure effective enforcement and, if necessary, prosecution.

Authorisation was sought for the Borough Solicitor to make the necessary amendments to the Council’s Constitution to give effect to the requirements of the Act.

RESOLVED: That, with regard to the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005,

(a) the proposed amendments to the Delegations to Officers, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Borough Solicitor and the Environmental Services Manager, be recommended to the Policy and Organisation Board and Council for approval;

(b) the proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference to the Community and Environment Board, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report of the Borough Solicitor and the Environmental Services Manager, be recommended to the Policy and Organisation Board and Council for approval;

(c) the fixed penalties, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report of the Borough Solicitor and the Environmental Services Manager, be recommended to the Policy and Organisation Board and Council for approval; and

(d) the Borough Solicitor be authorised to make all the necessary amendments to the Constitution to give effect to the above.

9.	PRIVETT PARK – REPLACEMENT PAVILION

Consideration was given to the report of the Leisure and Cultural Services Manager bringing Members’ attention to the need to determine the preferred course of action to be pursued in replacing the Gosport Borough Cricket Club (No 1 pavilion, following the majority of the building being destroyed as a result of a fire in May 2005. The lease held by the Trustees of the Cricket Club was due to expire in April 2011 and, under the terms of the lease, the Council was obliged to insure the pavilion in a sum sufficient to re-build it if destroyed by fire.

There were currently two other pavilions, No 2 and No.3, in the Park that provided showering and changing facilities for footballers/cricketers and football referees respectively. Those pavilions were very old, outdated and inadequate and neither facility met the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

The following two options were considered by the Board:

Option A - Demolish both the No.1 and No.2 Pavilions and replace both with a two-storey Pavilion on the site of the existing No.1 Pavilion. An initial estimate for such a facility indicated a cost of approximately £1.1m. This design incorporated changing and showering facilities and also provision for a social area that included a bar. Total Cost Approx. £1.1m.

Option B - Rebuild the existing No.1 Pavilion and improve it to reflect the Cricket Club’s requirements (effectively the top floor in Option A). An initial estimate for this work indicated a cost of approximately £500,000. Demolish the No.2 Pavilion and replace it with a new single storey Pavilion based upon the ground floor plan of the two-storey Pavilion referred to in Option A. An initial estimate for this work indicated a cost of approximately £660,000. Total Cost approx. £1.16m.

An evaluation of both options, together with a risk assessment was detailed in the report, together with possible funding implications based on information available to date.

The Board received a copy of a letter from the Chairman of the Cricket Club supported by a number of club members to promote the urgent need for a new pavilion to be erected as soon as possible, with a latest date of April 2007. Although it might not be the most appropriate option for the Council and local people of Gosport, the committee of the cricket club would be satisfied to have the former pavilion rebuilt. However, the benefits of the proposed new pavilion for the Borough as a whole were acknowledged and the committee would be supportive of either of the options put forward.

Once a decision had been made as to the preferred course of action for replacement, it would be necessary to liaise with the Trustees as to the best way forward.
Members acknowledged the need for replacement facilities in the Park for footballers, cricketers and other sports users of the Borough, in addition to use by visiting teams to games from surrounding areas.

Officers were congratulated on the detailed report, with the possible funding position and Members felt that it was imperative to proceed as quickly as possible with the project. Following application for planning permission, the tender process and undertaking building work, the earliest completion date was estimated to be May 2007.

The Board were requested to advise Officers of their preferred course of action in respect of providing appropriate changing, showering and social facilities for cricketers, footballers and other sports users of the Park.

Following discussion, Members unanimously supported recommending Option A as their preferred approach and officers were requested to instigate arrangements for the immediate demolition of the remainder of the damaged No.1 pavilion.

RESOLVED: That the Policy and Organisation Board be recommended to approve Option A of the Leisure and Cultural Services Manager’s report as the preferred course of action in respect of providing appropriate facilities for cricketers, footballers and other sports users of Privett Park.

NOTE: Councillor Carr declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No. 10 – ‘Publication of Food Hygiene Inspection Information – Cross Reference from Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee’ and withdrew from the Council meeting for the duration of its discussion.

10.	PUBLICATION OF FOOD HYGIENE INSPECTION INFORMATION -CROSS REFERENCE FROM SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

NOTE: Councillor Carr declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item left the meeting room and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

At the meeting on 6 March 2006, the Board had considered a report in respect of the publication of food hygiene inspection information. Following discussion, the Board requested the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee to investigate options for a way forward for further publication of information to the public.

The Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 23 March 2006 duly considered the original report and information supplied by officers with regard to other options available and referred their findings with recommendations to the Board.

RESOLVED: That the following recommendations be noted and approved:

(a) the continuation of the publication of the Council’s Shipshape Food Hygiene Award Scheme;

(b) further development of the Council’s own website information system based on the Modified Audit Commission Curve, using existing staff;

(c) the system referred to in (b) above be applied to restaurants, public houses, take-aways and care/rest homes; and

(d) following the introduction of a scheme to be developed by the Food Standards Agency for a national approach, further consideration be given to the publication of food hygiene inspections in Gosport.

11.	GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKING GROUP UPDATE

The Environmental Services Manager presented a report updating Members on the work undertaken to date by the Grounds Maintenance Working Group, which had been set up to consider the future of the Council’s Nursery and the current grounds maintenance specification.

Mr Ray Fyvie, Operations Director – Enterprise, was invited to address the Board with regard to the grounds maintenance contract. In his presentation, Mr Fyvie acknowledged the Council’s areas of concern in respect of the specification of the contract, which was recognised to be old fashioned, out of date and too prescriptive, especially with regard to grass cutting.

Mr Fyvie commented that Enterprise had a wealth of experience, were prepared to consider fresh ideas and were committed to working in partnership with the Council. However, he emphasised that both parties must be prepared to ‘pull in the same direction’ in order to achieve more effective and efficient working. He further suggested that to achieve a way forward needed a full and honest strategic review of the specification, which in turn should improve standards and efficiency.

Members referred to numerous complaints received from residents regarding the condition of flowerbeds, overgrown with weeds, the lengths of grass and infrequency of cutting. The Head of Streetscene described the different categories of cuts and informed Members that Enterprise had proposed two additional cuts during the period from mid-March to the end of October at no extra cost to the Council. Consideration would be given to a more flexible approach to the frequency of cuts, depending on an agreed maximum height of the grass.

Observations were made in respect of the visual attractiveness of flowerbeds and the effective planting of more sustainable plants that required less maintenance and use of water.

Specific problems raised and highlighted by Members would be investigated and addressed by the Head of Streetscene and Enterprise.

Mr Fyvie was thanked for attending the meeting and for his presentation.

RESOLVED: That:-