02 06 2005

 

 

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillors Redrup and Taylor.

 

 

 

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 24 March and 19 May 2005 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

 

 

 

 

It was noted that no requests for matters to be scrutinised had been received by the Borough Solicitor.

 

 

 

 

On 24 March 2005 the Committee agreed that, at their meeting on 2 June 2005, Members would give consideration to the method by which they wished to undertake scrutiny of car parking following the introduction of the car parking charges scheme in November 2004.

 

The draft Minute of the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 21 February 2005, which had been attached to the agenda, outlined a number of suggested issues that this Committee might wish to consider as part of the scrutiny process.

 

The Committee debated how best to undertake a review and considered the appropriate proportionality of a working group to carry out the scrutiny process.  Following a vote, it was accepted that a working group based on three Conservative Members, two Labour Members and one Liberal Democrat Member be established to scrutinise the issue and it was suggested that a meeting should be arranged as soon as practicable in order to commence the scrutiny process.

 

RESOLVED:  That

(a)  a Working Group, on the basis of 3:2:1 to reflect the political proportionality of the Council, comprising Councillors Allen, Carr, Farr, Foster, Langdon and Train, be set up to scrutinise the car parking charging scheme in the Borough;

 

(b) a meeting be arranged for Monday 13 June at 11am to consider the scope of the investigation.

 

 

Members of the Sub Committee updated the Committee on progress of work being undertaken by them in respect of anti-social behaviour.

 

At a meeting in April, the Head of Economic Regeneration and the Anti Social Behaviour Co-ordinator had been invited to outline aspects of their roles and responsibilities. During that meeting consideration had been given to new and impending legislation, incidents of vandalism, especially to Council owned properties, the introduction of Accredited Community Safety Officers and their powers to issue fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, litter and fly-tipping.

 

As part of their continuing investigation, the Sub Committee intended to gather statistical data and evidence to support and recommend a robust corporate response to anti social behaviour in the Borough.

 

The Sub Committee would be considering inviting representatives from Hampshire Constabulary, other agencies and one or more of the Accredited Community Safety Officers to attend their meetings as part of the scrutiny investigations into addressing anti social behaviour.

 

RESOLVED: That

(a)  the Sub Committee’s progress on investigating issues in respect of anti social behaviour be noted; and

 

(b) a meeting of the Sub Committee be arranged to consider further actions.

 

 

The Chairman reminded the Committee that all previous scrutiny issues had been completed and that the only matter to be considered in their work programme now was the review of the car parking scheme.  Members were requested to consider whether there were any other issues that they felt should be investigated.

 

Councillor Carr highlighted problems of ‘wheelie’ bins being left on pavements thereby causing unnecessary obstruction to pedestrians and by dumped black bags of rubbish awaiting collection by the contractors.

 

It was reported that generally waste collectors were fulfilling the specification of the contract and their performance was monitored, showing a satisfactory level in line with the service agreement.  Some of the problems related to the behaviour of householders and Members were of the view that more publicity should be instigated to encourage residents to take responsibility for their waste containers.

 

Following discussion, Members were asked to consider whether they wished to investigate and review elements of the waste collection service.  By consensus, it was considered appropriate for a working group to be established to scrutinise the matter on the basis of 1 Conservative, 1 Labour and 1 Liberal Democrat.

 

In view of the final phase of the recycling programme being rolled out in June, it was suggested that the scrutiny review did not commence before July.

 

RESOLVED:  That a Working Group be established, comprising Councillors Carr, Mrs Champion and Redrup (the latter nomination to be confirmed), to review the progress of waste collection services in the Borough, together with any associated aspects and problems.

 

 

There was no other business to discuss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The meeting commenced at 6.00pm and concluded at 6.50pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN