Agenda and minutes

Venue: New Council Chamber, Town Hall, Foster Avenue, Beeston NG9 1AB

Contact: Email: committees@broxtowe.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

22.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

23.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 117 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2018.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting that took place on 15 November 2018 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 

24.

A presentation on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking from Nottinghamshire Police

A representative from Nottinghamshire Police will give a presentation to the Committee on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. 

Minutes:

A representative from Nottinghamshire Police described the Force’s work in tackling modern slavery, referring to a particular case in the Nottingham area. 

 

It was requested that employees be put forward for training in key indicators of modern slavery and making referrals to appropriate agencies.  There was also concern that at times there was a lack of communication from the police regarding instances of modern slavery in Broxtowe. 

 

It was agreed that the Council was an important partner in tackling modern slavery.

25.

UPDATE ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ACTION PLAN 2018-19 pdf icon PDF 84 KB

To advise the Committee of the progress made on the Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the progress made on the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan 2018-19.

 

There was concern that there had been a significant decrease in the percentage of people who felt safe in the Community at night with 76% feeling safe in 2015/16, but only 50% 2017/18.  It was noted that the Police and Crime Commissioner had made representation to the Committee about his plan to increase the number of Police in the community in the expectation that this would make residents feel safer.  

 

The debate progressed on to the increase in incidents of anti-social behaviour that had been reported by the Police Strategic Analytical Unit.   The Committee noted that recording practices had changed so that incidents that would previously gone unrecorded, such as an altercation between children, were now reported as crimes.  Changes in reporting had made it difficult to establish if anti-social behaviour had increased, in real terms, in comparison to previous years.

26.

UPDATE ON CHILD POVERTY ACTION PLAN 2018/20 - PROGRESS REPORT pdf icon PDF 84 KB

To update on progress on the Child Poverty Action Plan 2018/20.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the progress on the Child Poverty Action Plan 2018/20.  The Action Plan takes into account drivers for poverty, rather than just fiscal measures. 

 

It was requested that information be disseminated to the Committee regarding the work if the Economic Development Team and how many jobs their work had created. 

 

There was then a discussion about the nature of the work in the Action Plan.  It was noted that the aim of the Action Plan was to reflect the impact of the mainstream work of the Council on Child Poverty.

27.

HATE CRIME POLICY pdf icon PDF 50 KB

To seek approval for a revised Hate Crime Policy.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Approval was sought from the Committee for the revised Hate Crime Policy, which had been updated to include new job roles, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s plan and a definition of hate crime.

 

There was concern about the 20% increase in reported hate crimes.  It was considered that the increase might not be entirely negative, as there was an increased awareness of what hate crime was and victims were more comfortable in reporting incidents.  High figures could reflect good practice and accessibility.

 

Debate progressed on to the difference between the five strands of hate crime that were reported nationally and the others, such as lifestyle and appearance and misogyny, that Police Forces could chose to report on locally.  It was noted that in Broxtowe, people were encouraged to report any incident motivated by prejudice as a hate crime. 

 

There followed a debate about including misogyny explicitly in the Policy and it was agreed that appropriate amendments would be made.

 

RESOLVED that the Hate Crime Policy be approved with an amendment to include misogyny.

28.

PUBLIC SPACES PROTECTION ORDER (PSPO) MALTHOUSE CLOSE/KNAPP AVENUE pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To seek approval to renew an existing PSPO which is due to expire.  

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee gave due consideration to the renewal of an existing PSPO at Malthouse Close / Knapp Avenue, Eastwood. 

 

The Order was to block off access to an alleyway between Malthouse Close and Knapp Avenue to prevent anti-socail and criminal behaviour.  A consultation had been undertaken, with respondents largely in favour of renewing the PSPO.  There followed a discussion about whether there was a way to block the alleyway permanently.  Extensive research by officers indicated that there was not a practical alternative to the PSPO.

 

It was requested that, in future, Ward Councillors be consulted on PSPOs in their area.  It was noted that the cost of signage would be £120 met from existing budgets. 

 

RESOLVED that in accordance with the provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 the existing Malthouse Close / Knapp Avenue Public Spaces Protection Order be renewed as detailed in the appendix, for a period of three years with effect from 3 March 2019.

29.

PARKING SERVICES ANNUAL UPDATE pdf icon PDF 162 KB

To provide the Committee with a general update on parking services including shared service arrangements.

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted the update on parking services, including shared services arrangements.

 

It was noted that increased revenue from Penalty Charge Notices did not necessarily indicate that more notices had been issued, as the amount paid per notice varied depending on how quickly it was paid and if it was successfully challenged. 

 

The discussion progressed on the benefit to the general public and businesses of free parking provision.  It was added that there would be a review of signage to ensure that the public knew when they were required to pay.

30.

BUSINESS PLANS AND FINANCIAL ESTIMATES 2019/20 - 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 233 KB

To consider proposals for business plans; detailed revenue budget estimates for 2019/20; capital programme for 2019/20 to 2021/22; and proposed fees and charges for 2019/20 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The proposals for the business plan, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2019/20, the capital programme for 2019/20 to 2021/22 and the proposed fees and charges for 2019/20 in respect of the Council’s priority areas were considered.  There were some updates to be considered alongside the report.

 

1.    RESOLVED that the Community Safety and Health Business Plan, as amended, be approved.

 

2.    RECOMMENDED to the Finance and Resources Committee that they recommend to Council that the following be approved:

 

a)    The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2019/20 (base) including any revenue development submissions.

b)    The capital programme for 2019/20 to 2021/22

c)    The fees and charges for 2019/20.

31.

WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 111 KB

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

Minutes:

The Work Programme was discussed with dog fouling and the funding for residents on low income to access pest control services were added.

 

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.