MINUTES OF NEIGHBOURHOODS AND CULTURE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MEETING – 21ST SEPTEMBER 2006
Present:
Councillor Cresswell (in the Chair)
Councillors
Mrs Benson / Evans / Mrs RadcliffeBradley-Wilcox / Mrs Greenhalgh
In attendance:
Mr J Shaw, Head of Technical Services
Mrs P Hansell, Assistant Director, Culture and Community Learning
Mr P Taylor and Miss G Atkinson, Business Services Directorate
Mr C Simcock and Mr M Scrivens, Leisure, Culture and Community Learning Directorate
Also Present:
Cllr Jackson, Cabinet Members for Urban Environment
Cllr Owen, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure
Apologies:
Councillor Ian Fowler
1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.
2. MINUTES 6th July 2006
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 6th July 2006, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
3. DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE AND CABINET MEMBERS
The Committee considered the decisions taken since the last meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee by the Executive and Cabinet Members for Urban Environment and Culture and Leisure.
Resolved: That the decisions taken by the Cabinet Members and Executive be noted.
4. FORWARD PLAN
The Committee considered the Executive Forward Plan, Summary of Key Decisions, for the Urban Environment and Culture and Leisure Portfolios.
Resolved: That the Forward Plan be noted.
5. STANLEY PARK RESTORATION PROJECT
Mr M Scrivens, Head of Parks and Green Environment, presented the update report on the Stanley Park Restoration Project, that had been distributed prior to the meeting. This included an update on restoration in the park, the partnership with Myerscough College, and progress towards increasing the safety and security of Stanley Park.
With regard to the Tennis Pavillion, it was reported that the ground floor was currently being utilised by four Police Community Support Officers as their base in the area. Extending Police operations to the first floor of the Pavillion was being considered at present. This would assist in increasing security for both the park and the Pavillion, which was vulnerable to vandalism.
It was reported that a number of trees, in particular the Dutch Elm trees, were either diseased or had died in the park as a consequence of the drought conditions over the summer period.
Members of the Committee were informed that plans had been established to install six security cameras in the Park. The sites for the cameras would be selected through the identification of ’hot spot’ areas where vandalism and criminal damage was most prevalent, such as opposite the Cafe. It was hoped that, as well as increasing security, the cameras would provide the Police with evidence for identifying and prosecuting offenders. Criminal activity could also be monitored through the cameras to ascertain the times when Police patrols were most required.
Concerning the diseased and dead trees on Cocker Drive, Members were informed that in conjunction with the Heritage Lottery Fund, these would now be replaced. Residents who had donated to the original trees would be contacted to inform of the replacements, and the use of Lime trees was being considered.
As it was anticipated that the restoration project would be complete by Spring 2007, it was agreed that a site visit of Stanley Park be undertaken in March 2007, followed by an update report to be presented at the Neighbourhoods and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Resolved:
1) That the update report be noted.
2) That Members of the Neighbourhoods and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertake a site visit of Stanley Park in March 2007.
3) That a further update report be presented at the March 2007 meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Background Papers: None
6. LEISURE AND CULTURE SUMMER ACTIVITY PROGRAMME 2006
Mr C Simcock, Head of Sport and Physical Activity, presented the report on the Leisure and Culture Summer Activity Programme for 2006, which had been distributed prior to the meeting.
It was reported that the summer programme was a huge success, with over 33,000 recorded visits by children and young people in a wide range of activities over the six week period.
It was reported that a postal code mapping exercise had been carried out, in relation to the free swimming element of the programme, to ascertain in which areas of Blackpool the children lived in, that had used the activity programme. Members requested that this information and the results of the mapping exercise be distributed to them.
In response to a query raised regarding the free swimming scheme, it was reported that due to supervisory requirements, children under the age of eight years must be accompanied by an adult.
Resolved:
1) That the report be noted.
2) That the results of the postal code mapping exercise be provided to Members of the Committee.
Background Papers: None.
7. LITTER ENFORCEMENT SCRUTINY
Mr P Taylor, Head of Street Scene, presented the Litter Enforcement Scrutiny update report and Action Plan to Members of the Committee.
It was reported that Recommendations 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 had all been completed.
With regard to Recommendation 8 and how this would be implemented on Bonfire Night, Members were informed that the Street Scene section would be working in partnership with the Fire and Police Authorities to undertake strict enforcement exercises against any unauthorised bonfires.
Concerning the litter problems arising from school children purchasing food from the takeaway food outlet on Bispham Road, it was advised that this would be dealt with in accordance with Recommendation 1. In addition, the outlet could be encouraged to comply with a voluntary Code of Practice to display notices in the premises to encourage the use of bins.
It was reported that a clothing and shoe collection had been scheduled, and that residents currently on the waste recycling scheme would receive a pink bag in the near future, to recycle textiles and clothes.
Resolved:
1) That the update report and Action Plan be noted.
2) That a further update on the Action Plan be presented at a future Neighbourhoods and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.
Background Papers: None.
8. COMMITTEE WORKPLAN 2006/07
Members were advised that as the Taxi Quality scrutiny was now complete, the Committee had the capacity to undertake another review. Members considered the outstanding items contained in the Workplan 2006/07 and were invited to forward any items that they wished to raise for future scrutiny.
Resolved: That the Committee Workplan 2006/07 be noted.
Background Papers: None.
9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
That the date of the next meeting be noted as Thursday 9th November 2006, commencing at 5.00 p.m. in Committee Room B.
Chairman
(The meeting ended at 5:45 pm)
Any queries regarding these minutes, please contact:
Georgina Atkinson, Scrutiny Officer
Tel:01253 477016
E-mail: