Mansfield District Council
Select Commission 2 Minutes
Date: Thursday 2 October 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: Council Chamber
Present:
Councillor C I Hammersley (in the Chair), Councillor K Atherton,
Councillor R Jelley, Councillor A Norman, Councillor S Richardson,
Councillor C J Smith, Councillor S Ward, Councillor A Wetton,
Councillor J Yemm
In Attendance:
Inspector Neil Priestley (Nottinghamshire Police) (part); Bev Smith
(Corporate Director – Regeneration and Regulation); Sam Yates
(Licensing Team Leader) (part); Tom Scott
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor M Wright
14/25
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No declarations of interest were made.
14/26
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 16 JUNE 2014
The minutes of the Commission meeting held on 16 June 2014 were
submitted for confirmation. Councillor S Richardson proposed, and
Councillor J Yemm seconded, that the minutes be accepted as a correct
record.
AGREED – That the minutes be accepted as a correct record.
14/27
MANSFIELD AND ASHFIELD COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP –
AUGUST 2014 PERFORMANCE REPORT & POLICE ATTENDANCE
The Corporate Director presented a briefing paper (attached) and an August
2014 performance report (also attached) for the Community Safety
Partnership (CSP) between the Districts of Mansfield and Ashfield.
The Corporate Director advised that Mansfield Town Centre had been
awarded Purple Flag status – an accreditation awarded to Town/City Centres
that provide entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable nights out. The
Corporate Director explained that this showed the progress made in making
the Town Centre safer and was the result of hard work from a number of
people at Nottinghamshire Police, Mansfield District Council, the Association
of Licensed Venues, Mansfield Business Improvement District and Mansfield
Partnership Against Crime. Members wished to place on record their
gratitude to everyone involved in the process.
The Corporate Director informed members that bringing down crime
statistics for Mansfield Town Centre – specifically the Woodlands and
Portland wards – still needed to be pursued in line with the performance
report. The Corporate Director introduced Insp. Neil Priestley and the
Licensing Team Leader to explain steps already taken/to be taken to
address crime statistics for the two wards in question.
The Licensing Team Leader informed members that Her Majesty's
Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) recently carried out an assessment of
recording crime in Nottinghamshire. The assessment asked Nottinghamshire
Police to change how they audit crime statistics and look back at previous
records to upgrade a number of ‘incidents’ to ‘crimes’ – meaning that the
number of crimes in the August 2014 performance report has sharply
increased. Insp. Priestley explained that although this assessment had made
targets harder to meet, it was a positive step in making crime figures fully
transparent and reviewing all past incidents.
The Licensing Team Leader advised that the following areas had not met
targets and would need to be addressed for Mansfield Town Centre:
•
•
•
Criminal Damage
Violence Against the Person
Shop Theft
The Licensing Team Leader explained that although a large part of Violence
Against the Person crimes in the Woodlands and Portland wards occurred
near Town Centre drinking premises, 40% of it happened in properties
located in the two wards due to Domestic Violence. Insp. Priestley advised
that it is very important Domestic Violence is reported properly because it is
often unreported by victims – so the number of recorded Domestic Violence
crimes increasing was positive in that regard. In the last fortnight, 19
Domestic Violence incidents had occurred in Mansfield District and a
perpetrator was identified and processed for every single one.
The Licensing Team Leader explained that the Shop Theft statistic being so
high for the Town Centre was mainly because St. Peter’s Retail Park was
located within the two wards.
Insp. Priestley explained a number of measures being taken to reduce
alcohol-related crimes in Mansfield Town Centre at night. Members were
informed that dedicated officers patrol the Town Centre every Thursday,
Friday and Saturday night – but the majority of the violence was happening
very late at around 3.30am because of people pre-loading on alcohol and
some nightclubs not opening until 11pm. Insp. Priestley explained that to
counteract this, Nottinghamshire Police were looking to give breathalysers to
door-staff and put more officers out in the later hours. Giving breathalysers
out would allow door-staff to tangibly prove to people who are very drunk that
they should go home.
Members enquired what sort of penalties are in place for premises that serve
very drunk people. The Licensing Team Leader explained that the staff
themselves serving the drinks (and not the licensees) are the ones liable to
receive a Fixed Penalty Notice, and if one has been issued, the Council
would then work with the licensee to ensure that staff are being given
sufficient training in how to deal with drunkenness. Insp. Priestley added that
plain-clothes officers keep watch in premises to address this, and door-staff
have already been trained in how to deal with drunkenness.
Insp. Priestley explained that takeaway food premises are also a flashpoint
for Town Centre violence because they are located near pubs and clubs and
can stay open until 4am, so the licenses that some of these premises have
will be investigated. The placement of where taxis stop on Leeming Street
would also be investigated for the same reasons.
Insp. Priestley advised that at one time, licenses to stay open until 4am
would have been given to takeaways with the best intentions. However, the
Town Centre has changed significantly since giving the licenses, with a
number of premises nearby opening until very late. The Licensing Team
Leader explained that the rationale from the takeaway owners is that their
premises shutting earlier would lead to more anti-social behaviour, because
people coming out of nightclubs late and expecting food would be
disgruntled to see the premises not open.
The Licensing Team Leader advised that implementing the measures
discussed would be a lengthy process because so many stakeholders would
need to be consulted. Members were also advised that if the measures were
too strict, people would no longer come to Mansfield Town Centre – so the
right balance would need to be found.
Insp. Neil Priestley and the Licensing Team Leader were thanked for
attending and contributing.
AGREED –
(i) That the briefing paper and August 2014 performance report be noted.
(ii) That Select Commission 2 places on record its gratitude to everyone
involved in getting Mansfield Town Centre the Purple Flag accreditation.
14/28
ECONOMIC STIMULUS FUND – PORTFOLIO HOLDER RESPONSE TO
TASK & FINISH GROUP REPORT
The Corporate Director explained that a Task & Finish Group had reviewed
ways to spend the Economic Stimulus Fund (a budget set aside at the
Council meeting on 22 January 2014) and concluded the review by
producing a final report with a number of proposals. The report was agreed
by Select Commission 2 on 16 June 2014 and forwarded to the Executive.
Members were advised that the Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration
had now responded to the Task & Finish Group’s proposals with a report
(attached) explaining the Portfolio Holder’s intentions for each individual
proposal.
The Portfolio Holder’s responses
recommendations were as follows:
to
the
Task
&
Finish
Group
Task & Finish Group Proposal A:
A ‘Business Start-Up Grant Scheme’ (Business Support) to provide a
business grant of £1,000 for start-up businesses. The budget would be
£30,000 per year for grants in 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17, with £5,000
for marketing in 2014/15 and £1,000 in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
Portfolio Holder Response:
This proposal will be progressed based on a £25,000 per annum grant
budget and a £1,000 per annum marketing budget.
Task & Finish Group Proposal B:
New investment in Town Centre signage with a one-off budget of £25,000 for
2015/16.
Portfolio Holder Response:
Nottinghamshire County Council has recently upgraded signage to improve
Town Centre access and encourage shoppers into the Town Centre.
Mansfield BID and the Council have worked together on Town Centre street
signage to improve navigation and this is yet to be fully installed. For these
reasons, the proposal will not be progressed at this time.
Task & Finish Group Proposal C:
A ‘Market Investment & Support’ scheme to include new investment in
mobile market stalls, the removal of the stalls (for events) and a package of
support for traders. The one-off budget would be approximately £100,000 for
2015/16.
Portfolio Holder Response:
This is already being worked on as part of the Markets Strategy – new stalls,
canopies and signage with a focus on civic pride following a period of
extensive public consultation to gauge local views. Initiatives will also aim to
enhance the evening economy linking with BID where possible and be
supported by periodic events and markets. The Council will also continue to
support such activities through joint marketing, promotion and possible free
parking at the time of some events, as done in the past. This proposal will be
progressed.
Task & Finish Group Proposal D:
To provide funding to the existing ‘Pathways to Work’ programme (which
includes Enterprising Schools, Careers in Local Government,
Jobs/Careers/Advice Fairs and Apprenticeship Grant for Employers) when
EDRF funding ceases in June 2015. The budget proposed would come to a
total of £215,776 over the periods 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18.
Portfolio Holder Response:
This may be supported by the Apprenticeship ESF based on an analysis of
the impact of the scheme confirming positive impact. This also requires
further discussion with Ashfield District Council given they are partners in the
Regeneration Service, as there are local potential implications for nondelivery in the Ashfield area if there is a lack of funding. This proposal will be
progressed.
Task & Finish Group Proposal E:
To provide funding to the existing ‘Ambition for Mansfield’ scheme (which
includes Aim Higher, Graduates into Enterprise, Entrepreneurs’ Forum,
Women’s Enterprise Academy and Invest Mansfield & Ashfield) when EDRF
funding ceases in June 2015. The budget proposed would be £146,000 in
2015/16 and £159,000 in 2016/17.
Portfolio Holder Response:
The position with Ashfield District Council’s funding [of the scheme] needs to
be clear before any such commitment post-European Funding. Some of this
appropriate activity could be potentially supported from the Apprenticeship
ESF. Once negotiations with Ashfield District Council on the future priorities
for the Regeneration Service have been concluded, this will be reported back
and determined towards the middle of 2015. This proposal will not be
progressed at the present time.
Task & Finish Group Proposal F:
A ‘New Occupiers’ Grant’ scheme for independent retailers looking to occupy
vacant properties in the District’s three Town Centres. The budget proposed
would be £24,000 for 2014/15, £24,000 for 2015/16 and £24,000 for
2016/17.
Portfolio Holder Response:
This proposal will be progressed with delivery District-wide in the main
shopping areas.
Task & Finish Group Proposal G:
An ‘Additional Marketing of Mansfield Town Centre/Business Sites’ scheme
that would see a marketing campaign promoting Mansfield Town Centre and
the wider District to the industrial, commercial and leisure sectors with a link
to the supportive business community and wider networks of support. The
budget proposed would be £40,000 for 2014/15, £30,000 for 2015/16 and
£30,000 for 2016/17.
Portfolio Holder Response:
It is considered that the Invest Ashfield & Mansfield initiative will address this
requirement, and if supported as a component of the previous Ambition
project going forward, will not be required. This will be reviewed next year
along with the overall Ambition programme. This proposal will not be
progressed at this time.
Members noted the responses and were pleased that a number of the
proposals would be progressed. However, members were disappointed that
Proposals E and G would not be progressed, and Councillor K Atherton
wished to place on record the following comments:
1) Councillor K Atherton was concerned that the funding for Proposal E
(Ambition for Mansfield) would only be available for a short time, so felt any
consultation with Ashfield District Council must be progressed as soon as
possible.
2) The Portfolio Holder responded to Proposal G (Additional Marketing of
Mansfield Town Centre/Business Sites) by explaining that the proposal
would not be progressed at the current time because it was believed the
Invest Ashfield & Mansfield initiative would address this requirement.
Councillor K Atherton – speaking as an ambassador for Invest Ashfield &
Mansfield – disagreed with this assertion and believed that Invest Ashfield &
Mansfield would be very disappointed with this proposal being pushed back.
Councillor K Atherton also felt that the Invest Ashfield & Mansfield
programme of work is focused on supporting and encouraging new and
existing business to grow and is not targeted at promoting the Town Centre –
therefore, a further proposal the Portfolio Holder should consider would be
for some specific marketing work around the Town Centre to encourage
dwell time and increase Town Centre footfall. This could involve specific
events to encourage and raise the profile of the Town Centre.
The Corporate Director advised that these comments would be captured in
the report to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration when making
the final Delegated Decision on the Economic Stimulus Fund.
AGREED –
(i) That the Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration’s response is noted.
(ii) That the comments from Select Commission 2 members are captured in
the report to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration when making
the final Delegated Decision on the Economic Stimulus Fund.
14/29
MEDEN SPORTS CENTRE REBUILD
The Corporate Director presented a report (attached) seeking the views of
Select Commission 2 regarding a potential rebuild of Meden Sports Centre,
so Select Commission 2’s views could be forwarded to the budget setting
process in November/December 2014.
The Corporate Director explained that proposals for a rebuild had been
presented to the Leisure Task & Finish Group on 18 September 2014. The
Task & Finish Group recommended the following to Select Commission 2:
(i) Support the build of a new leisure centre providing both wet and dry
facilities.
(ii) Refer the report to the Executive for consideration in the budget setting
process.
(iii) Refer the report to Select Commission 3 for consideration in the budget
setting process.
The report included details on a rebuild split into the following sections:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Asset condition
Community need
Feasibility
Design
Capital estimates
Capital funding
Timetable
Revenue estimates
Revenue contribution
Land use/approvals
Leisure contract
The Corporate Director advised that negotiations to find assistance with
funding a rebuild were ongoing with Nottinghamshire County Council and
Meden School – but failing these options, Mansfield District Council could
fund the rebuild itself and look at utilising borrowing schemes or Grant in Aid.
The Corporate Director explained that refurbishing the current Meden Sports
Centre was now economically unviable, because in its state of disrepair it
would likely be gone within 5 years regardless of any work done to it.
Members enquired if Serco (the company who run the District’s leisure
facilities) would manage the rebuilt Meden Sports Centre. The Corporate
Director advised that Serco’s management of the current Meden Sports
Centre is on a 12 month rolling contract, so there would be an opportunity for
the Council to manage a rebuilt Meden Sports Centre in the future.
Members agreed to support the same recommendations put forward by the
Leisure Task & Finish Group. Members felt that a new wet and dry facility
would be vital in serving the people of Warsop and would replace an old
facility that had become economically unviable to refurbish. Members also
believed that planning for a rebuild now rather than later would prevent the
issue from dragging on and ensure the people of Warsop gain a new facility
as quickly as possible.
Members wished to place on record their gratitude towards the Leisure Task
& Finish Group and all of the officers involved in producing the proposals for
a rebuild.
AGREED –
(i) That Select Commission 2 supports the build of a new leisure centre
providing both wet and dry facilities.
(ii) That Select Commission 2 refers the report to the Executive for
consideration in the budget setting process.
(iii) That Select Commission 2 refers the report to Select Commission 3 for
consideration in the budget setting process.
(iv) That Select Commission 2 places on record its gratitude towards the
Leisure Task & Finish Group and all of the officers involved in producing the
proposals for a rebuild.
14/30
DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS
5.30 p.m. Tuesday 21 October 2014
5.30 p.m. Tuesday 13 January 2015
5.30 p.m. Wednesday 1 April 2015
14/31
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 – EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND
PUBLIC
RESOLVED – That under the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local
Government Act 1972, the Press and Public be excluded from the remainder
of the meeting by reason of the likely disclosure of exempt information as
defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.
14/32
MEDEN SPORTS CENTRE REBUILD – EXEMPT APPENDIX 2
The Corporate Director presented an exempt document to members
explaining the specific financial implications of a rebuild for Meden Sports
Centre.
AGREED – That the document be noted.
Published: 15/10/2014 11:44.