Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bilcliff

The Minutes of the previous Infrastructure, Safety and Growth Scrutiny Committee held on the 13^th September 2018 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor T Clements and seconded by Councillor J Oates)

There  were no Declarations of Interest

(Update on responses received to Reports of the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Committee)

The Chair reported that the recommendations from this Committee in respect of the Castle Review were considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 27 September 2018 and endorsed.

(Discussion item)

No matters had been identified for consideration by this Committee.

(Discussion item – link to Forward Plan attached)

http://tammodgov.tamworth.gov.uk/mgListPlanItems.aspx?PlanId=215&RP=120

The Chair identified that a new item in respect of the Arrangements for Community Alarm Service Monitoring at Sheltered Housing Schemes had been added to the Forward Plan for Cabinet decision.  The Committee agreed that it should consider this item at its next meeting on 18 December 2018 and that accordingly it be added to the Committee’s Work Plan.

(Report of the Assistant Director, Partnerships)

The Assistant Director Partnerships reported on the public consultation undertaken and the responses received and sought the Committee’s support to delegate to the Portfolio Holder the implementation of the new Public Space Protection Order for Kettlebrook and the area identified on the map attached to the report.

The Assistant Director introduced a representative of the police force who had been involved in developing the new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and at whose request the PSPO had been developed.

The Assistant Director outlined the process which the PSPO had followed, including Cabinet approval to go out to consultation and the consultation undertaken.  The details of the draft PSPO were highlighted and considered.

It was reported that all sixteen responses received from local residents to the consultation by the end of the consultation period on 5 October 2018 had been favourable.  It was further reported that a response had highlighted the possibility of extending the area covered by the draft PSPO to include McGregor Park and the Bolebridge island area.

It was reported that whilst there was significant evidence of anti-social behaviour in the area proposed to be covered in the Kettlebrook PSPO, the areas nearby, including McGregor Park and Bolebridge Island, had historically also been affected and it was reported that there could be a risk that anti-social behaviour would be displaced to nearby areas once any PSPO was implemented. 

RESOLVED that having considered the consultation responses received:

·         the draft PSPO for Kettlebrook and the area defined (map attached) be endorsed and the delegation to the Portfolio Holder, Communities and Partnerships for the implementation of the proposed order be approved;

·         a further draft PSPO be brought forward in accordance with the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership PSPO Process in respect of  the McGregor Park and Bolebridge island area.  It was noted that this would be considered by Cabinet prior to any consultation being launched.

(Moved by Councillor Dr S Peaple and seconded by Councillor J Oates)

(Report of the Assistant Director, Partnerships)

The Assistant Director Partnerships reported on the public consultation undertaken and the responses received and sought the Committee’s support to delegate to the Portfolio Holder the implementation of the new Public Space Protection Order for Moor Lane / Bolehall and the area identified on the map attached to the report.

The Assistant Director introduced a representative of the police force who had been involved in developing the new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and at whose request the PSPO had been developed.

The Assistant Director outlined the process which the PSPO had followed, including Cabinet approval to go out to consultation and the consultation undertaken.  The details of the draft PSPO were highlighted and considered.

It was reported that responses from local residents in respect of the consultation had been favourable. It was further reported that some consultees had responded that anti-social behaviour existed in areas beyond the proposed area.  It was noted however that the area beyond the footbridge was not as close to residential properties and that there was a proportionality requirement to be considered.

RESOLVED that having considered the consultation responses received:

• the draft PSPO for Moor Lane and the area defined (map attached) be endorsed and the delegation to the Portfolio Holder, Communities and Partnerships for the implementation of the proposed order be approved;
• further work be undertaken to consider whether there was a requirement or not for a further draft PSPO to be brought forward for areas adjoining the draft PSPO for Moor Lane in accordance with the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership PSPO Process and the area (if any) which this could cover. 

(Moved by Councillor Dr S Peaple and seconded by Councillor J Oates)

(Report of the Assistant Director Growth and Regeneration, this Report was considered at the Licensing Committee on 11 October 2018)

The Committee welcomed the Head of Environmental Health.  It was reported that it is a requirement of the Gambling Act 2005 that the Council consults and publishes a revised Statement of Principles in respect of the requirements of the Act. 

It was reported that the Licensing Committee had considered the revised Policy at both its June and October 2018 meetings and that a public consultation had been undertaken between those meetings.  Following consideration by this Committee the Policy would be taken forward for consideration by Cabinet and approval at full Council in December 2018.

The key changes in the Policy were:

·         To ensure a clear focus on understanding and mitigating gambling related harm more broadly, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable;

·         The separation from the Policy of the Council’s risk assessment document to enable regular updating of the document as local circumstances change.

The Committee considered the impact that problem gambling had on those affected, its impact in particular areas within Tamworth and the lack of research available in terms of the impact of gambling on the vulnerable.

(Moved by Councillor J Oates and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

The Committee thanked the Head of Environmental Health for the depth of his report, who then left the meeting.

(Discussion item)

It was agreed that this item had been completed following Councillor Dr S Peaple’s Question to Council and the response received from Councillor R Pritchard at 11 September 2018 Council meeting.

(Update and discussion on Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Committee Work Plan)

The Committee received the Committee’s Work Plan.  It was agreed that the Staffordshire County Council representative would be invited to address the draft Staffordshire plan for Highways when it attended this meeting.  It was agreed that the Work Plan be amended as follows:

Infrastructure, Safety and Growth Scrutiny Work Plan