Agenda and minutes

The Head of Regulatory Services to submit a Report to advise Members on the income generated by the collection of fines and expenses from owners’ of stray dogs and to set the associated fee for 2018/19.

The Head of Regulatory Services submitted a report to advise Members on the income generated by the collection of fines and expenses from owners of stray dogs and to set the associated fee for 2018/19.

The Head of Regulatory Services drew members’ attention to section 3.2 and that the fees stand separate from the contract and are within the jurisdiction of the Council. Therefore it can be adjusted in a manner similar to all other charges, under the Charging Policy.

The fee template was attached as Appendix A.

A member enquired as to whether owners of microchipped dogs can be identified easily. The Head of Regulatory Services confirmed this.

RESOLVED that

(1)  Members took note of the collection of fines and expenses associated with stray dogs;

(2)  Members agreed to the charges for the collection of stray dogs as set out at paragraph 3.3 and Appendix A.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Higgins

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 300817 were confirmed and authorised to be signed by the Chairman.

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

Councillor Rhodes & Councillor Orson declared a personal interest in any matter relating to Leicestershire County Council.

There were no recommendations from other committees.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods to submit an update on The Decisions Report.

The Head of Communities & Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating members on decisions taken at previous Committees. The report confirmed the change of name of the Committee to Melton Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee. The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods noted the car parking analysis as item 9 on the agenda.

A member wanted clarification as to which strategy the Committee are waiting for on the ‘Draft Economic Development Strategy Refresh’. The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods advised he was waiting for further economic profile data and consideration by the Economic Board.

RESOLVED that the Update on Decisions document  be noted.

The Corporate Director to submit a report to update the Committee on the progress of schemes within the Capital Programme to 30 September 2017, to determine the Committee’s Capital Programme for 2017-2022 based on a review of spending in the current year’s programme and schemes included in the programme for later years.

The Corporate Services Manager submitted a report updating members of the Committee on the progress of schemes within the Capital Programme to 30th September 2017 and to seek approval on this Committee’s Capital Programme for 2017-2022 based on a review of spending in the current year’s programme and schemes included in the programme for later years.

The Corporate Services Manager highlighted the capital monitoring in section 3.1 and the Capital Programme 2017-22 section 3.2 of the report. In addition drew member’s attention on the changes of the programme in section 3.3.

A member enquired as to whether the purchase of a new mower is seen as a special expense. The Waste and Environmental Maintenance Manager noted that the equipment is primarily used on large, open spaces in Melton and it would be unlikely that it is used outside of the town. The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that open spaces wits with the CSA and that the areas mentioned are general fund budget. A member proposed looking at special expenses and noted Parish contribution.

The Waste and Environmental Maintenance Manager noted that, as in Appendix B (2) of the report that the vehicles are approaching the end of their optimum operational life and currently hold £6000 value per vehicle for trade in. However, if replacing the vehicles is delayed, the costs would increase and their values decrease and so it is appropriate to do so now.

RESOLVED that

(1)  Members took note of the progress made on the capital schemes as attached at Appendix A;

(2)  The revised Capital Programme for 2017-22 was approved; and

(3)  The Committee approved the business case in relation to the Environmental Maintenance Vehicles, attached as Appendix B, to be put forward to Policy Finance and Administration Committee for approval.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods to submit a Report to seek Members’ support for:

a) Withdrawing the main public pest control service but retaining an in house function for special need council properties and council commercial premises only.

b) Reducing the Pest Control Officers working week from 4 days down to 2 days. 

c) Revise the job description from Pest Control Officer to better reflect the revised duties and responsibilities of the new post of Environment and Waste Services Support Assistant.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods presented a report seeking Member’s approval to withdraw the Pest Control service subject to suitable alternative provision and re-direct resources into the Environmental and Waste Services.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods referenced section 3.2 and the public demand for this council service has greatly reduced over recent years as the private sector provision has grown alongside ‘Do It Yourself’ options. Many Councils are now signposting residents to various pest control services.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods stressed that –

subject to Members’ approval – if the service was withdrawn we would still include an internal pest control function for council homes as requested by tenant officers in special need and for the Council’s public buildings and properties to ensure its statutory legal requirements are met.

Furthermore, it was advised that in section 3.5 during recent years as demand for the pest control service has reduced; spare capacity has been filled with duties and responsibilities that support both the Council’s waste management and environmental maintenance services. These were highlighted in section 3.6.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods advised that in the short term officers would signpost residents on to a number of local pest control services, so not endorsing any particular organisation however, in the longer term look to enter into a partnership with a reputable pest control service provider.

A member enquired as to whether trash screen inspections (section 3.6) should be kept at current level. The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that we are not looking to reduce the service.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  Members supported the withdrawal of the main public pest control service and delegate to the Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods to implement the change after ensuring appropriate alternative provision in place.

(2)  Members agreed to the requested reduction in both the working week of the Pest Control officer post from the current 4 days to 2 days per week as well as a change in the title and associated core duties and responsibilities of the post to be re-titled Environment and Waste Services Support Assistant.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods to submit a Report to provide members with the an update on car park usage since the car park tariffs and delegations were made in 2016/17 and to furthermore seek member guidance on the ‘free’ car parking provision introduced as a pilot in 2016/17.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods presented the car parking usage figures since the change in car parking tariffs and designation made in 2016/17 and asked Members for their view on the ‘free’ car parking provision approved ass an initial pilot.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods advised that Members’ ad hoc meeting of 17th March 2016 approved a range of car park tariff changes and other designations, these included:

·         New charges for short and long stay car parks

·         Introduced free 20 minute parking at St Mary’s in 9 spaces

·         Re-designated part of Burton St car park to short stay

·         Removed 1 hour tariff at Mill St

·         Introduced monthly season tickets (6 month and 1 year also retained)

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods then presented a presentation that showed:

·         Income increased in 2016/17 from 2015/16

·         The number of actual tickets sold was only slightly down and in regards to short stay actually increased. The figures are higher than projected in the modelling, indicating that the increased income is not solely due to the price changes.

·         Income during 2017/18 is slightly lower than in 2016/17

·         Ticket sales are slightly lower in 2017/18 compared to 2016/17

·         The number of ‘free’ tickets has significantly increased in 2017/18 compared to 2016/17 and continues to increase

·         The re-designation of Burton St into short stay has proved positive and provides short stay for people from that side of town

·         The change to Mill St car park has seen a positive uptake of tickets purchased

·         The Tuesday tariff plays a significant part in contributing to the overall car park income, recording 95% occupancy.

·         There has been an increase of seasonal tickets purchased.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods advised that the key issue is around the free parking and the potential £36,000 of income that is being lost and advised Members that originally this was introduced as a pilot and asked Members to consider whether this should continue. Also, asked Members to note that other on-street car parking available provides free of charge parking to enable visitors to park for a short time for one item purchases. The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods asked how many of the ‘free’ car parking users would continue to park here with a charge. A Member raised that historically, the topic of car parking would generate public and media attention and perhaps best to maintain status quo and celebrate 90%+ occupancy. A Member enquired whether free evening parking could coincide with the Purple Flag evening economy which starts at 5pm. Currently, parking is free after 6pm and if cost is minimal this could boost the town’s evening economy. The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods advised of the financial implications and need for assessment.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  Member tool note and made comments on the car park usage presentation attached as Appendix A

(2)  Members continue with the existing charges and tariffs as previously approved to include the ‘free’ car parking pilot provision introduced in 2016/17.

(3)  Continue with the existing  ...  view the full minutes text for item R27

Joint report seeking Members’ approval to create a footpath link from a new development into the Melton Country Park.

This item was withdrawn and will be discussed under the CSA Committee.

To consider any other items that the Chair considers urgent.

The Head of Regulatory Services presented a report advising Members of the current progress and the associated issues regarding the Asfordby Neighbourhood Plan, and to inform the Committee of a decision made under delegated powers under the provision of urgent matters set out in the Constitution.

The Neighbourhood Plan is the subject of an application for Judicial Review (JR) from a landowner dissatisfied with its content. The Council is identified as ‘defendant’ for the JR with the Parish Council a named interested party.

The Council has been invited by the appellants to postpone any further action on the Plan until the JR is concluded. The response to this was urgent as a result of strict timetables associated with such action and agreement to postpone was agreed by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of this Committee under Part 3 of the Constitution (Scheme of Delegation to Officers (Power to act out of meeting – general power).

RESOLVED that Members noted the content of the report.