Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 24^th February 2021 were approved as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor Dr S Peaple and seconded by Councillor R Bilcliff)

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair reported that following on from the dry waste recycling item considered at the previous meeting he had received some draft text and would circulate it to members by email for their consideration.

(Discussion item)

No matters had been referred.

(Report of the Assistant Director, Partnerships)

The Chair welcomed the Portfolio Holder, Councillor S Doyle, the Tamworth Police Commander, Chief Inspector Paul Talbot, the Tamworth Police Deputy Commander, Sergeant Gary Harborow and the Assistant Director, Partnerships, Ms Jo Sands to the meeting.

The Portfolio Holder introduced the Assistant Director Partnerships who provided an overview of the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership Plan (Annual Refresh) which outlined how partners were collectively tackling community safety issues in the Tamworth borough.

The Assistant Director highlighted that the data in this year’s annual report was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic with the restrictions imposed resulting in reductions in recorded crime and disorder from mid-March 2020 onwards. The Assistant Director reported the 2020 achievements and challenges and that overall the priorities in the plan remained relevant and proportionate.  The multi-agency working and the oversight of the Community Safety Plan by the Tamworth Partnership Coordination Group was highlighted, as well as the role of this Committee in scrutinising it.  During 2020 it was reported that the key issues which arose were:

·       COVID compliance issues and the police approach

·       The reduction in reported Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

·       The reduction in all crimes between March 2020 and February 2021

·       Tackling domestic abuse.

The Committee considered the Community Safety Plan and the priorities it contained and it was agreed that the priorities would be listed alphabetically.

The Chief Inspector provided an overview of the performance for the Tamworth area in terms of crime figures, ASB and road safety and then addressed some other topics.  In particular he reported that:

·       In terms of crime figures, whilst for the year February 2020 to February 2021 these were down on the previous year, there had been increases in two areas which he addressed; business robbery and more serious and violent crime.  In terms of more serious and violent crime this was in part due to an increase in domestic violence and it was reported that the pressures and different circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic on families both financially and in terms of overall wellbeing were potential factors.  To address these, it was reported that staffing had been increased in terms of domestic violence, as well as the review of cases of domestic violence being undertaken at an early stage and the use of the perpetrator programme to rehabilitate offenders and the use of diversionary tactics to work with the family to prevent harm.  One further reason for the increase in the more serious and violent crime figures was reported to be due to the three fatal road traffic incidents.

·       In terms of ASB, Tamworth area had seen a 2% increase over the summer in terms of non-COVID related ASB and this was reported to be one of the only neighbourhoods in Staffordshire to see an increase.  As a result the police had looked at the possible reasons for this and worked more closely with partners in a multi-faceted way and that presently the local figures were significantly down and better than trend. In terms of COVID related ASB the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Regulatory & Community Safety)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Regulatory and Community Safety on CIL Spending was received by the Committee before consideration by Cabinet on 8^th April 2021.

The Assistant Director, Growth & Regeneration provided an overview of the report and the need for there to be a mechanism agreed for spending the different elements of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Following the Council’s adoption of the CIL at its Council meeting on 17 July 2018 it came into effect on 1st August 2018. It was reported that at the Council meeting in July 2018 it was resolved that a report covering the governance arrangements for CIL spending would be submitted to Cabinet. This report, following consideration by this Committee, would be presented to Cabinet for its approval for part of the proposed mechanism for spending the different elements of CIL in accordance with the relevant regulations and guidance.

The Assistant Director reported that the proposal was for:

1.               5% of CIL income up to 30 July 2021 to be retained by the Council and applied to administrative expenses associated with CIL;

2.               5% of CIL income per year from 1 August 2021 onwards to be retained by the Council and applied to administrative expenses associated with CIL;

3.               The Council to retain the strategic element (80%) and allocate the funds to one or more infrastructure projects in the Borough;

4.               Regeneration projects within Tamworth to be set as the priority for spending the strategic element of CIL

The Assistant Director reported that the remaining 15% for neighbourhood spending had been approved by Cabinet on 18 February 2021. 

The Assistant Director further reported that the regulations require the strategic element of CIL to fund the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of the following types of infrastructure to support the development of its area:

a)    Roads and other transport facilities

b)    Food defences

c)     Schools and other educational facilities

d)    Medical facilities

e)    Sporting and recreational facilities

f)      Open spaces

The Committee sought clarification on:

·       the types of projects which this funding could be applied to and it was reported that it could be applied to regeneration across Tamworth, and it would need to fit within the criteria (a) to (f);

·       whether this council could access funds from neighbouring authorities and it was reported that it was possible for authorities to utilise the funds outside of their areas and therefore it was important to work with neighbouring authorities where relevant.

RESOLVED that the Report be recommended for Cabinet approval.

(Moved by Councillor Dr S Peaple and seconded by Councillor S Goodall)

(Update from the Portfolio Holder)

The Leader of the Council, Councillor J Oates, joined the meeting to provide a Future High Street Fund update.  Councillor Oates reported that the Programme Board had met twice since the successful award had been announced and that activities were currently focussed on the mobilisation stage.  Councillor Oates confirmed that the role of scrutiny had been discussed at the previous Programme Board and that further details, including project milestones would be provided to scrutiny.

The Leader of the Council and the Assistant Director, Growth & Regeneration then left the meeting.

(Discussion item – link to Forward Plan is attached)

http://democracy.tamworth.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=120&RD=0&bcr=1

No further items from the Forward Plan were specifically identified for this Committee’s consideration prior to Cabinet’s consideration.

To receive updates from any Working Groups

The Chair reported that he noted the inclusion on the Forward Plan of the Arts & Events Relaunch, which may be of relevance to the Arts & Events Working Group which had been formed. 

The Chair reported that the ICT Working Group had met and had fed comments to the Head of Technology and Information Services and that Councillor Standen and the Chair wanted to thank him for the work on the new ICT Strategy.

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

RESOLVED that the meeting be extended to 9pm under Procedure Rule 9.1.13.

(Moved by Councillor P Standen and seconded by Councillor S Goodall)

The Committee agreed to update the Committee’s Work Plan as follows:

Infrastructure, Safety and Growth Scrutiny Work Plan

(Report of the Chair of the Committee)

The Chair provided an overview of the draft Annual Report and thanked members for their work during this municipal year.