Agenda item

To receive and ask questions on the Annual Reports (copies attached at Annexes 4-8) of the following Policy and Review Panels for the 2015/16 Municipal Year:

 

(1)            Borough Services

(2)            Community

(3)            Corporate Services

(4)            Environment

(5)            Leisure and Youth

 

A procedure note for asking questions has been circulated to Members.

(1)      Borough Services Policy and Review Panel –

 

The Chairman of the Borough Services Policy and Review Panel, Cr. Barbara Hurst, presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2015/16.

 

RESOLVED:    That the Annual Report of the Borough Services Policy and Review Panel be noted.

 

(2)      Community Policy and Review Panel –

 

The Chairman of the Community Policy and Review Panel, Cr. M.D. Smith, presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2015/16.

 

Cr. A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Chairman regarding the evidence and incidence of street homelessness in the Borough.  In response, Cr. Smith stated that the number of street homeless in Aldershot town centre had increased over the previous year.  This reflected the position in neighbouring authorities and national trends – a reported increase of 30% in street homeless. 

 

Local evidence was that, during March 2016, 31 people had at some point spent some time on the streets, of which it was believed that currently twelve people were consistently street homeless in Aldershot town centre.  However, the Police had reported that the numbers on the street at night were substantially less than that.  Most of the people had a local connection to Rushmoor.

 

The Council was working with relevant agencies, such as The Vine, the Police and Inclusion (a drug and alcohol service) to help the people involved to secure appropriate accommodation.  Despite this, a number continued not to engage with Rushmoor’s officers and some that had engaged had not been able to sustain their accommodation.  The Council was continuing to monitor the situation and was exploring all options to ensure that the number of street homeless was reduced as soon as possible.  The Panel would be keeping the situation under review.

 

RESOLVED:    That the Annual Report of the Community Policy and Review Panel be noted.

 

(3)      Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel –

 

The Chairman of the Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel, Cr. Jacqui Vosper, presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2015/16.

 

Cr. A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Chairman regarding the Council’s website.    In response, Cr. Vosper stated that, as part of the Panel’s review of the web service, the Panel had been informed that customer feedback was monitored regularly by using the results of the “Did you find what you were looking for?” form that appeared on content pages.  The performance over time was available in the Council’s Corporate Plan and was usually around the 80% positive rate.  Where people did not find what they were looking for, the Council looked to make improvements.

 

Cr. Vosper also advised that the Council also was assessed externally by the Society of IT Managers.  The latest assessment had given the Council the highest score of four stars and recommended the Council’s planning section to other councils as a service that was easy to use.

 

In response to changing trends, further improvements had been made to the website design so that it worked well on mobile phones and tablets. 

 

RESOLVED:    That the Annual Report of the Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel be noted.

 

(4)      Environment Policy and Review Panel –

 

The Chairman of the Environment Policy and Review Panel, Cr. D.E. Clifford, presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2015/16.

 

Cr. A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Chairman regarding a decline of Aldershot town centre.  In response, Cr. Clifford referred to the Aldershot Town Centre Prospectus and stated that a steady recovery was being witnessed in Aldershot Town Centre rather than a decline and cited the Westgate and Wellesley developments.

 

Cr. J.J. Preece asked a question of the Chairman regarding public conveniences.   In response, Cr. Clifford stated that current proposals were not likely to result in the closure of any public conveniences in Rushmoor.   Cr. Clifford further stated that, with regard to the distinction made between toilets inside parks and outside parks, this related to the ongoing procurement process where toilets within parks were considered to fit well with the grounds maintenance service and a holistic approach to parks management.   Cr. Clifford understood that the issue would be discussed again by the Cabinet and that the Panel would also be given an opportunity to comment. 

 

RESOLVED:    That the Annual Report of the Environment Policy and Review Panel be noted.

 

(5)      Leisure and Youth Policy and Review Panel –

 

The Chairman of the Leisure and Youth Policy and Review Panel, Cr. Liz Corps presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2015/16.

 

RESOLVED:    That the Annual Report of the Leisure and Youth Policy and Review Panel be noted.