Issue - meetings

The Enterprising Communities Manager presented a report to Members regarding the ongoing work of the Public Realm Working Group. He explained that at the meeting of the group on 14 November 2017, Members had discussed the key approaches and methods to be used to complete the rural public realm report and a Delivery Plan 2018-2019 had been endorsed by the group at this meeting. The Enterprising Communities Manager also explained that the group had agreed to recommend a number of changes to the Terms of Reference to reflect the nature of this work and to provide updated and achievable timescales. Members were asked to agree the updated version of the Rural Public Realm Task and Finish Group Terms of Reference and to agree the Delivery Plan 2018-2019. The Head of Paid Service noted that the final report would make recommendations to the relevant policy committee for possible implementation or inclusion in council policies and it was important that the timescales for completion of this work were realistic in order to be able to make informed and relevant recommendations to that policy committee. This would be in accordance with good practice in the operation of overview and scrutiny committees.

A Member of Committee enquired about whether there was any scope to look at aspects of towns and villages that incorporated such things as public artwork or fountains. It was suggested that these could be looked at as street furniture or as part of the overall street scene. It was highlighted that the purpose of the Working Group was to look at provision of services but that it might be possible to undertake a separate piece of work to look specifically at grants available for improvement of area through public artwork or installations. It was requested that this be noted as a future work point.

The Committee agreed that this was an opportunity to engage with the district and to ascertain where improvements could be made. It was explained that there would be a comprehensive survey distributed to all Town and Parish Councils and it would be important to have the support of Members in order to maximise the response rate. The Enterprising Communities Manager assured Members there would be further communication with them about the survey in due course.

Following further discussion about consideration of regeneration as well as tackling persistent issues such as dog fouling and grass cutting, it was

            RESOLVED that:

a)    the updated version of the Rural Public Realm Task and Finish Group Terms of Reference be agreed; and

b)    the Delivery Plan 2018-2019 for the Rural Public Realm Task and Finish Group also be agreed.