MINUTES OF NEIGHBOURHOODS AND CULTURE OVERVIEW AND
SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MEETING - 9TH NOVEMBER 2006
Present:
Councillor Fowler (in the Chair)
Councillors
Mrs Benson
Cresswell
Bradley-Wilcox Evans
Mrs Greenhalgh
Mrs Radcliffe
In attendance:
Mr J Kearsley, Strategic Director of Business Services.
Mr J Blackledge, Assistant Director, Leisure Services.
Mr M Towers, Mr P Taylor, Mr T Rhodes and Miss G Atkinson, Business Services
Directorate.
Mrs S Young and Mr M Cooney, Tourism and Regeneration Directorate.
Mr M Scrivens, Leisure, Culture and Community Learning Directorate.
Also Present:
Councillor Jackson, Cabinet Member for Urban Environment
Councillor Mrs Rowson, Cabinet Assistant for Urban Environment
Mr D Humphries, Transport and General Workers Union
Mr T Boaler, Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association
Mr B Lewtas, Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association
Ms A Metcalfe, Blackpool Landaus Owners Association
Ms F Pickerdike, Blackpool Gazette
1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.
2. MINUTES 21st September 2006
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 21st September 2006 be signed by
the Chairman as a correct record.
3. DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE AND CABINET MEMBERS
The Commitee 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
MINUTES OF NEIGHBOURHOODS AND CULTURE OVERVIEW AND
SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MEETING - 9TH NOVEMBER 2006
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. INTEGRATED NEIGHBOURHOOD INITIATIVE
Mrs S Young, Assistant Director for Neighbourhood Improvement, outlined the
Integrated Neighbourhood Initiative (INI) update report that had been distributed prior to
the meeting.
It was reported that the Neighbourhood Improvement Division, that had been established
in April 2006, provided strategic leadership to neighbourhood improvement and
management for the most deprived areas of Blackpool. A more innovative approach to
service management had been established, and three Neighbourhood Service Delivery
Managers (NSDM) had been appointed with responsibility for the Central, South and
Grange Park areas. Each of the three teams under the NSDMs included representatives
from the Police Authority, Blackpool Primary Care Trust (PCT), Fire Service and
Groundworks, as well as Council officers from the Housing Enforcement, Public
Protection, Street Cleansing and Community Engagement sections.
Members were advised that as the Reassurance Plus project was only in its early
stages, achievements had been generated through a reactive approach to
neighbourhood issues. Future proposals focused on a more long-term proactive
approach which would be developed over the coming months.
In response to concerns raised regarding the level of involvement and support currently
provided by the Police Authority, the Committee was informed that this should improve
with the newly appointed NSDMs who held responsibility for engaging the community
and outside bodies.
It was reported that in response to the Local Area Agreement, the Reassurance Plus
project focused on the more deprived areas of Blackpool. However, it provided a
framework which could be utilised for neighbourhood management issues across the
remaining areas of Blackpool.
Members of the Committee agreed that a Working Group be appointed to undertake a
scrutiny review of the Integrated Neighbourhood Initiative. Councillors Cresswell, Mrs
Greenhalgh and Mrs Radcliffe volunteered to participate in the review.
Resolved:
1) That the update report be noted.
2) That a Working Group be appointed to undertake a review of the Integrated
Neighbourhood Management Initiative.
Background Papers: None.
6. OPEN SPACES AND HORTICULTURE SCRUTINY
MINUTES OF NEIGHBOURHOODS AND CULTURE OVERVIEW AND
SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MEETING - 9TH NOVEMBER 2006
Mr M Scrivens, Head of Parks and Green Environment, updated the Committee on the
Open Spaces and Horticulture scrutiny action plan that had been distributed prior to the
meeting.
With regard to the Hollyoak Country Walk, Members were informed that information
signage had now been erected to advise residents and visitors of future proposals for
the walk.
The Committee thanked the officers from the Parks and Green Environment section for
their work and support in implementing the recommendations included in the scrutiny
action plan.
Resolved: That the update report be noted.
Background Papers: None.
7. PARKS AND LEISURE FACILITIES SCRUTINY
Mr J Blackledge, Assistant Director, Leisure Services, outlined the updated Parks and
Leisure Facilities scrutiny action plan.
It was reported that the Play Strategy had been a significant success for the Council,
and had been nationally recognised as a high standard document which was being used
by the Big Lottery Fund as an example of good practice.
In response to queries raised regarding Mereside Park, Members were advised that
awarded funding had significantly transformed the park over the past two years, and that
proposals for improved facilities, such as benches and landscaping, were currently being
considered.
The Committee thanked the officers from the Leisure Services division for their work and
support in implementing the recommendations included in the scrutiny action plan.
Resolved: That the update report be noted.
Background Papers: None.
8. STREET CLEANSING AND DOG FOULING SCRUTINY
Mr P Taylor, Head of Street Scene, presented Members with the updated Street
Cleansing and Dog Fouling scrutiny action plan that had been distributed prior to the
meeting.
The Committee was advised that Recommendation 17 of the Action Plan was awaiting
the implementation of Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act
2005, which would terminate police responsibility for stray dogs. Until that had been
passed, the Recommendation would be incomplete and it was anticipated that the
transfer would be completed in April 2007.
Mr T Rhodes, Senior Licensing Officer, updated Recommendation 2 of the action plan,
MINUTES OF NEIGHBOURHOODS AND CULTURE OVERVIEW AND
SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MEETING - 9TH NOVEMBER 2006
regarding the issue of horse waste on the promenade, caused primarily by the landau
service. Members were advised that a device, fitted onto the shafts of a landau, caught
over 90 per cent of droppings. The devices had been trialled successfully and an
application was scheduled for the Public Protection Sub-Committee on 14th December
2006 to consider the use of the devices a licensable condition prior to the 2007 season.
Tethering points with additional bins and cleaning facilities would be provided through
the Street Scene section to allow waste disposal and the cleansing of devices during
hours of operation. In addition, a dedicated collection scheme would be established, with
all waste to be disposed of separately from normal procedures. The possibility of
recycling the waste through the town's allotments would also be explored.
Resolved: That the Committee note the update report.
Background Papers: None.
9. TAXI QUALITY SCRUTINY
With regard to the Taxi Quality scrutiny final report, Members were advised that
Recommendations 24 and 26 included both legal and financial implications if
implemented.
With regard to Recommendation 24, the Council would need to gain accreditation and
be regulated by the Financial Standards Agency, in order to provide financial assistance
to taxi operators, which would hold both legal and administrative implications. Both
Recommendations 24 and 26 would have a financial impact on the Council, and would
result in an increase to the taxi license fee.
Although the financial and legal implications were acknowledged, it was felt that it would
be beneficial for the two Recommendations to remain in the report with the anticipation
that the Council may wish to explore such possibilities in the future.
The Committee thanked the officers and Members for their work and assistance on the
scrutiny review.
Resolved:
1) That the report be noted.
2) That the Taxi Quality scrutiny report be forwarded to the Policy, Overview and
Scrutiny Management Committee for consideration and approval.
Background Papers: None.
10. LANDAUS
Mr T Rhodes, Senior Licensing Officer, advised Members that this item should be
considered in conjunction with Agenda Item 8, 'Street Cleansing and Dog Fouling
Scrutiny'.
In relation to the Taxi Quality scrutiny, it was felt that as the landaus also provided a
MINUTES OF NEIGHBOURHOODS AND CULTURE OVERVIEW AND
SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MEETING - 9TH NOVEMBER 2006
hackney carriage service, a review to establish a number of recommendations for
improvements to the service should be undertaken. A Working Group consisting of
Councillors Fowler, Evans, Bradley-Wilcox and Mrs Benson was appointed to undertake
the review.
Resolved:
1) That the report be noted.
2) That a Working Group be appointed to undertake a scrutiny review of the landau
service.
Background Papers: None.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Resolved: That the date of the next meeting be noted at Thursday 14th December 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: georgina.atkinson@blackpool.gov.uk