Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - The Guildhall. View directions

Contact: Katie Storr  Senior Democratic and Civic Officer

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Public Participation

Up to 15 minutes are allowed for public participation.  Participants are restricted to 3 minutes each.

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Minutes:

There was no public participation for this meeting.

2.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 298 KB

To confirm and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Prosperous Communities Committee held on Tuesday, 16 March 2021.

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Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Prosperous Communities Committee held on 16 March 2021 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

3.

Matters Arising Schedule pdf icon PDF 166 KB

Setting out current position of previously agreed actions as at 28 May 2021

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Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the report advising Members that the report would be taken “as read” unless Members had any questions.

 

A Member of the Committee requested clarification as to what information had been shared with Parish Councils in relation to the Parish Charter and emphasised the importance of working with local communities. It was confirmed this information would be shared with Members.

 

With no further questions, and with no requirement for a vote, the Matters Arising were DULY NOTED.

4.

Members' Declarations of Interest

Members may make any declarations at this point but may also make them at any time during the course of the meeting.

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Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest from Members at this point in the meeting.

5.

Progress and Delivery Report Quarter Four, 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 122 KB

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Minutes:

Members gave consideration to the Progress and Delivery report for quarter four of the 2020-21 financial year. The Assistant Director, Commercial and Operational Services, summarised the highlights of the report per portfolio. Members heard that the report presented performance for quarter four (January to March 2021) and a summary of the year-end performance was attached as Appendix A for information. Of note, 59% of KPIs were on or above target for the quarter, 38% of KPIs were below target and the remaining 3% were within agreed tolerance levels.

 

In considering the report in relation to Corporate Health, it was explained that customer satisfaction had improved and was now back on target. The number of complaints had also reduced by 16%. Calls were being answered within 21 seconds, remaining below target. A combination of higher than usual demand, call handling staff being affected by closure of schools and the team temporarily taking on responsibility for administering Land Charges calls and payments had had an impact. The Customer Experience Strategy was being reviewed and would include call handling times to ensure performance improvements.

 

There were no performance concerns within the Finance and Property Services portfolio.

 

Members heard that, within the Homes and Communities portfolio, demand for homelessness support had continued to increase during the quarter. The Protect Plus and cold weather initiatives, designed to end rough sleeping had led to an increased use of B&B accommodation to ensure that nobody slept rough in the district. The Council’s partners (P3), were releasing six new accommodation units in quarter one to support people with a history of street homelessness. This was in addition to the Council’s Viable Housing Solution and should lead to a reduction in the need for B&B accommodation. As detailed in previous P&D reports, DFG completion times remained impacted by the initial lockdown in March 2020, which added 90 days to the average completion time. Larger and more complex cases had now been completed and a reduction in completion times was expected during the first half of 2021/22.

 

In relation to Operational and Commercial Services, it was explained that the Building Control market share was now back above target, having been below target in the previous quarter. Market share was also up 8% on the same period last year. Garden waste had had a strong start to its new year with a 4.7% increase in subscription take-up on last year. This was the largest increase since the service was introduced. The number of garden waste bins sold was expected to exceed the target during quarter two. Operations at the leisure centres, and the Trinity Arts Centre continued to be severely impacted by a third lockdown during the whole of quarter four. The leisure centres re-opened on 12 April 2021 for gym, swim and squash. Dance classes resumed on 17 May, with virtual classes available as an option for members. No issues had been reported since re-opening and the Council maintained a stringent watch over the centres to ensure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Gainsborough Cycling and Walking Network Plan pdf icon PDF 150 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members gave consideration to the Gainsborough Cycling and Walking Network Plan. The Assistant Director of Planning and Regeneration explained that Lincolnshire County Council had commissioned the production of the plan and the report was finalised in March 2021. The plan had been produced to take advantage of future and additional funding streams; maximise the best opportunities for improving cycling and walking rates; make cycling and walking a priority and to make Gainsborough one of the best towns in the UK for cycling and walking. The objectives of the plan were to produce an evidence-based infrastructure network plan; identify early network investment priorities and potential interventions; secure stakeholder “buy-in” for the network and potential interventions and to provide high-level feasibility for investment in the highest priority cycling and walking infrastructure. Members were being asked to adopt the Gainsborough Cycling and Walking Network Plan 2021 for use by Officers on related projects and future decision making.

 

There was considerable disquiet amongst Committee Members regarding many of the proposals within the plan, including the pedestrianisation of the town centre, the removal of on-street parking in several areas of the town and the removal of several trees along those same routes. The Committee was not satisfied that the details of the plan correlated with the aims and aspirations of West Lindsey District Council. Questions were raised as to how Lincolnshire County Council had come to the final document and there was significant discussion as to the need for local Members and communities to have a much greater input to any changes to their local area. There was little support amongst Committee Members to agree to the adoption of the plan.

 

The Assistant Director of Planning and Regeneration recognised the concerns raised and assured Members that the proposals would have to proceed through considerable consultation processes before any final decisions were made. It was emphasised that the adoption of the plan would enable Officers to work closely with communities and the County Council in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the town.

 

With further discussion amongst Members as to their concerns regarding the plan and the lack of support for the proposals, it was suggested that the recommendation for adoption be amended to better reflect the discussions of the Committee. It was acknowledged that Members were concerned the voice of the District Council would be lost and it was considered of great importance to ensure the council, Members and the local community were strongly represented during any future discussions with the County Council.

 

With several suggested wording options being discussed, the Vice Chairman sought advice from the Democratic Services and Elections Team Manager (Interim). Members of the Committee clarified their position towards the plan and, on being proposed and seconded, the Chairman took a vote on the proposed amended and additional recommendations. With the vote on the amended recommendations CARRIED, the Chairman asked Committee Members to indicate their support or otherwise with a second vote.

 

With 10 for, 1 against  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Workplan pdf icon PDF 151 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members gave consideration to the Committee Workplan. A Member of the Committee enquired as to the purpose of the paper for the future options for Selective Licensing. It was clarified that the intention of the paper was to consider consultation and engagement options for all stakeholders, and to assure Members that there would be comprehensive consultation for any future plans.

 

With no further comments or questions, and with no requirement for a vote, the Work Plan was DULY NOTED.