Decisions

The Committee was provided with information on the policy, supply and provision of Christmas decorations.

The current arrangements for Christmas decorations were for them to be provided in the four town centres of Beeston, Eastwood, Kimberley and Stapleford and, in 2020, a small number were provided at Gilthill adjacent to some businesses.

Discussions ensued around the costs to install and replace the decorations and explore options of handing responsibility for Christmas decorations to the Town Councils and recharge those in Beeston to the Special Expenses Fund. Another issue was that in 2020 the County Council clarified that a 5KN load test must be undertaken for all over carriageway fixings. It was reported that within the Borough, some anchorages failed a 4KN test and therefore no over carriageway decorations were provided in any location in 2020.

It had not been possible to prioritise replacement options during 2021 as this would had to involve negotiations and legal agreements with private building owners, probable structural works and additional expenditure beyond the available budget. Some Councillors felt the additional expenditure for Christmas decorations didn’t meet the priorities of the Council currently.

                        RESOLVED to:

1.    Continue with the previous arrangements for 2021

2.    Consult with Parish Councils on their views for future provision of Christmas Lights.

3.    Arrange a Task and Finish group to discuss options for future years.

The Committee considered the Food Service Plan.

The plan describes how the service is discharged and details the numbers, types and priority ratings of the Borough’s food premises, the frequencies of planned interventions, sampling programmes, health promotion activities, reactive work, including responding to food complaints, food hazard warnings and investigating cases of infectious disease. 

Consideration was given to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food safety inspections.  It was noted that the high risk category included Care Homes and that inspections had not been allowed to take place at the height of the pandemic.  It was also noted that the Food Standards Agency were to outline their expectations, as to how to go forward with inspections, in the near future.

RESOLVED that the Food Service Plan 2021-22 be approved.

The Committee noted a statement read out by Councillor D Grindell on behalf of Councillor R D MacRae on the work of the Police and Crime Panel.

RESOLVED that a letter be sent to the former Police and Crime Commissioner thanking him for his support, and that a letter be sent to the new Police and Crime Commissioner welcoming her to the role.

It was decided that the Armed Forces Covenant should be heard by Leisure and Health Committee.

It was agreed that an item on Bicycle Theft should be added to the 9 September 2021 meeting.  Items on the Community Trigger and Hate Crime Strategy were added to 11 November 2021 meeting.

The Committee discussed inviting the new Police Crime Commissioner to attend a meeting.  It was decided that further consideration needed to be given to how best to proceed to accommodate her diary and to ensure as many Councillors as possible could put their views and concerns to her.

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

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 4 March 2021, were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Committee noted the Council’s involvement in the Serious and Organised Crime Pilot.  

The Committee noted the Council’s progress against outcome targets identified in the Community Safety and Health Business Plan.

There was a discussion about the collation of data on Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and Community Protection Warnings.

It was noted that the Health and Older People Partnership Action Plan had been written and would be presented to the forthcoming meeting of the Leisure and Health Committee.

The Purple Flag scheme offers accreditation to town centres for the safe management of their evening and night time economies.  It was noted that the town centres in Broxtowe were not big enough to receive formal accreditation and the intention was to implement a number of aspects of the scheme. 

The Committee discussed the role of Pub Watch in barring nuisance drinkers from establishments, banning orders and the use of street pastors.  It was considered that a media strategy would be developed alongside the plan to make the public aware of the work being done to promote safety for those enjoying the night time economy.

RESOLVED that the proposed Purple Flag Action Plan be approved.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Bagshaw, S A Bagshaw, M J Crow, T Cullen and S Kerry.

The Committee noted the recent work completed by Internal Audit and reviewed progress made by management in implementing agreed actions within six months of the completion of the respective audits.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the work programme be approved subject to the addition of a report on Governance Arrangements for the Beeston Town Centre development be added to the 29 November 2021.

Members were provided with an overview of Freedom of Information requests made to the Council. It was noted that there had been a decrease in the number of requests received in comparison to the previous year.

Members were provided with a summary of complaints made against the Council. It was noted that there had been a decrease in stage 1 complaints received and an increase in stage 2 complaints.

The Committee received an update of the work undertaken by Internal Audit during 2020/21 and reviewed the annual internal audit assurance opinion that can be used by the Council to inform its Annual Governance Statement. 

The Committee considered the amendments to the Strategic Risk Register and the action plans identified to mitigate risks.

RESOLVED that the amendments to the Strategic Risk Register and the actions to mitigate risks as set out in appendix 2 be approved.

The Committee noted the review of the new Parliamentary Constituency for Broxtowe proposed by the Boundary Commission for England as part of the 2023 review of parliamentary constituencies.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.