Borough Services Policy and Review Panel - Monday, 10th April, 2017 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

            To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14th November, 2016 (copy attached).

            The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14th November, 2016 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

            To receive a presentation on the proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders in the Borough and the outcomes of the recent consultation.

The Panel welcomed Mrs Caroline Ryan, Community Safety Manager and Mr. Moray Henderson, Anti-Social Behaviour Officer, who attended the meeting to give a presentation on the outcomes of the recent consultation on the proposed Public Protection Spaces Orders (PSPO) in the Borough. It was noted that PSPO’s had been considered for both towns as part of the consultation process and officers were seeking the views of the Panel before taking the final report to the Cabinet for approval.

It was reported that due to a change in legislation the existing Designated Public Place Orders (DPPO), which were restricted to the control of drinking alcohol, were to be replaced with the new PSPO’s which covered a wider range of issues. The current situation in the Borough included: street drinking by adults, consumption of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and associated anti-social behaviour.

The proposed intentions of the PSPO, as laid out in the consultation documents, was to control the drinking of alcohol, the taking of New Psychoactive Substances, people urinating and defecating in public, people loitering and causing a nuisance and people loitering with the intent to beg without permission. It was noted that the consultation responses had shown overwhelming support for the proposed controls, and data showed that overall, people had experienced more anti-social behaviour in Aldershot town centre as a result of the night time economy. Issues in Farnborough related more to drunken behaviour and noise levels.

The Panel was advised that once the Cabinet had ratified the decision the Orders would be published and advertised. A six week period would then commence for “interested people” to appeal the Order. The Order would then be approved by the Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, and a date of introduction would be set. The Order would then be advertised and signs erected in the town centres.

In conclusion, it was noted that very strong support had been shown within the consultation responses for the proposed measures, however there were some concerns about the homeless issues in Aldershot and the ability to enforce the orders. Overall the Panel supported the new measures and stressed the need to be “bold enough to enforce” and have the resources in place to support the proposed PSPO.

The Panel ENDORSED the proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders for the final report to the Cabinet on 2nd May, 2017.

            To receive a presentation from Cr. Gareth Lyon, Cabinet Member for Concessions and Community Support, on current work within the portfolio and priorities for the future (areas to be covered attached).

The Panel welcomed the Cabinet Member for Concessions and Community Support, Cr. Gareth Lyon, who attended the meeting to give an update on current work within the portfolio and priorities for the future. Items covered were as follows:

·         Future review/extension of the local ward grant scheme - It was noted that in September 2016 each Ward had been allocated £500 from the Community Grants Fund. The three Ward Councillors could use the £500 to support local good causes in their Wards. It was reported that all the money had been allocated for 2016/17.

The Community Grants Fund contained £21,000 and for 2017/18 Cr. Lyon was proposing that each Ward should be allocated £1,000, the remaining balance in the fund would be available to Cr. Lyon to allocate as required across the Borough.

All Members would be consulted on this increase in funding to each ward.

The Panel ENDORSED the increase.

·         Volunteers Week/”Get Involved” Fair – The Panel noted that Cr. Lyon had been working with officers and Rushmoor Voluntary Services to arrange a “Get Involved” Fair on 3rd June, 2017 in Aldershot town centre. Invites had been sent to all voluntary organisations in the Borough informing them of the event and requesting interest in participating. Organisations would be encouraged to join with other similar groups, for example, scouting groups would be placed together on one stall. Stalls would be free of charge and the event would run from 10a.m. – 3p.m. on Union and Wellington Street. Promotion would be managed through the Communications team.

·         The Good Causes Lottery - The Panel was updated on progress with the Good Causes Lottery. It was noted that the application for the gambling licence was being processed and it was hoped that it would be launched around the same time as Volunteers Week. It was reported that, so far, 30 groups had signed up to be beneficiaries of the lottery and it was hoped that there would be around 60 by the launch date.

·         Promoting elections and electoral registration – The Panel discussed the issues around maintaining the numbers of residents registered on the electoral roll and accessing hard to reach groups to encourage electoral registration. 

It was advised that young people were a particularly hard group to reach and it was important to ensure this demographic understood the importance of democracy and its effects on the community.

A discussion was also held on online voting. It was advised that online voting could not be instigated at a local level, but Members should continue to lobby central government for change.

It was proposed that an update would be given at a future meeting of the Panel on the Review of Electoral Services, which was currently taking place.

·         Organisations seeking rent/rate relief – there were three elements to rent and rate relief support initiative:

−     Discretionary – this relief will be granted at the discretion of the Council, historically the football clubs had received discretionary relief

−     Hardship – if a business was failing, relief could be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

            To note the Panel’s work programme (copy attached).

            The Panel noted the current work programme and were advised that Citizens Advice Rushmoor had requested to attend a future meeting of the Panel.