Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Della McCarthy
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Apologies for absence Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. M. Bunker and Dr. G. H. Lord. |
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Declarations of Interest Minutes: No declarations of interest or whipping arrangements were received. |
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Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Overview Board held on 4th November 2008 were submitted.
RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record. |
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Anti-Social Behaviour and Alcohol Free Zones Task Group Minutes: The Task Group Chairman, Councillor C. B. Taylor, provided the Board with an update on the progress of the Anti-Social Behaviour and Alcohol Free Zones Task Group.
It was explained that although the Task Group had strived to meet its deadline and report to the Board in January 2009, there had been a need for one further Task Group Meeting to be arranged.
It was stated that a draft report had been circulated to Task Group Members and it was anticipated that the report would be finalised at the last Task Group Meeting, scheduled to be held on 14th January 2009. It was reported the relevant Portfolio Holder and officers had been invited to attend.
RESOLVED: (a) that the verbal update from the Task Group Chairman, Councillor C. B. Taylor, be noted; and (b) that the Anti-Social Behaviour and Alcohol Free Zones Task Group be granted an extension and submit the final report to the next meeting of the Overview Board due to be held on 3rd February 2009. |
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Air Quality Strategy and Planning Protocol Additional documents:
Minutes: The Board considered the report relating to the Air Quality Strategy and Planning Protocol for Herefordshire and Worcestershire which was due to be considered by the Cabinet.
The Head of Planning and Environment Services, Mr. D. Hammond, and the Team Leader – Pollution and General, Mr. R. Goundry, were present and answered queries the Board had on this issue.
There was concern from Members that the Air Quality Strategy and Protocol would not be meaningful locally. There was also some frustration over the commitment shown to managing air quality issues from other agencies, including Worcestershire County Council.
It was explained that the Strategy would help to ensure a unified and consistent approach was taken to managing local air quality across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Strategy identified commitments, particularly for communication and co-operation within and between local authorities, external organisations and the community. It was pointed out that the key advantages of developing and implementing such a Strategy were listed under paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3 of the document and officers believed it was a good comprehensive starting point. It was also stated that the actions required for specific areas i.e. Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) were detailed in separate Action Plans.
The Board was informed that the Strategy would be reviewed on a regular basis once it had been approved and adopted. It was anticipated that all local authorities would adopt the Strategy within the next month or two. When the Strategy came under review in the future, Members were assured that standards and targets would be updated as appropriate.
It was clarified that the recommendations from the Air Quality Task Group were being dealt with separately. It was explained that the Task Group recommendations had been considered and the majority approved by the Cabinet early 2008. The relevant Portfolio Holder had presented the Cabinet’s response to the former Scrutiny Steering Board and those approved recommendations had been included in the Recommendation Tracker Report to enable the former Scrutiny Steering Board Members to monitor progress. Since the change to the Overview and Scrutiny Structure, it was clarified that the Overview Board was now responsible for monitoring the recommendations that had came out of the air quality investigation undertaken by the Task Group. Therefore, those particular recommendations would be included in the Tracker Report due to be considered at the next Overview Board meeting in February. It was confirmed that a Review of the Air Quality Task Group investigation was also due to take place shortly.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet be requested to approve and adopt the Air Quality Strategy and Planning Protocol for Herefordshire and Worcestershire. |
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Forward Plan of Key Decisions Minutes: Consideration was given to the Forward Plan which included key and non-key decisions due to be taken by the Cabinet over the forthcoming months.
Members were particularly interested in the Joint Waste Management Strategy which was due to be refreshed and submitted to the Cabinet in April 2009.
RESOLVED: (a) that the Head of Street Scene and Community be requested to provide information on the Waste Management Strategy, due to be considered by the Cabinet in April 2009, to the next meeting of the Board; and (b) that all other items on the Forward Plan be noted. |
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Anticipated reports for 2009/10 Minutes: As requested at the previous meeting of the Overview Board, information on anticipated reports for future months had been compiled. Members considered the items listed which had been split into service areas.
RESOLVED that the anticipated reports for 2009/10 be noted. |
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Minutes: The Board considered all the items included within its Work Programme.
The Chairman suggested two topics which could be added to the Board’s Work Programme which were: (a) looking at the current policy relating to sponsorship funding with a view to making it more robust; and (b) the possibility of producing a policy relating to the number of takeaway outlets allowed in any given area.
With regards to sponsorship funding, the Senior Solicitor, Mrs. Sellers, commented that the existing policy was still in its infancy. It was explained that officers were continuing to work on raising funding for the Council through sponsorship and the input of the Board in reviewing the policy would be helpful.
However, the Head of Planning and Environment Services had some concerns regarding the second proposal which related to controlling the number of takeaways. Members were advised that the Board needed to be clear what could and could not be achieved, taking into account national policy guidance and market forces.
It was also mentioned that the funding for CCTV could be investigated and representatives from the Police could be invited to attend a Board meeting. However, the Executive Director – Services, Mr. Beirne, reminded Members that a letter had been sent to West Mercia Police regarding this issue and a response was awaited. It was suggested that the Overview Board could monitor this matter and consider inviting a Police representative to a future Board meeting, if required.
The Board was informed that Councillor Mrs. M. Bunker had a meeting scheduled with the Assistant Chief Executive, Mr. H. Bennett, the following day to discuss the results of the Older People Focus Groups. It was anticipated that further information regarding this topic would be presented to the Board at its next meeting.
RESOLVED: (a) that the following two topics be added to the Board’s Work Programme: § Developing the existing policy relating to sponsorship funding; and § Investigating the possibility of introducing a policy which controls the number of takeaways allowed in an area; (b) that the Executive Director – Services be requested to provide the Board with progress updates at future Board Meetings (as required) regarding the possibility of receiving financial assistance from West Mercia Police for CCTV equipment; and (c) that the Overview Board’s Work Programme be noted and updated as necessary. |