Agenda and minutes

The Board was advised that a matter had arisen which required immediate attention by the Board because in each case a decision was required before the date of the next meeting (Minute SAF11 refers), therefore pursuant to Section 100 B (4) and 100 E Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman ruled that the items be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th March 2007 having been printed and circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

It was confirmed that no public questions had been received.

          The Board considered the Minutes of the Executive Board and the Executive Sub-Committee relating to the Safer Halton Policy and Performance Board.

           RESOLVED: That the Minutes be received.

The Board considered a report regarding the Fourth Quarter Monitoring Report for the Highways & Transportation, Environment & Regulatory Services, Health & Partnerships, and Cultural & Leisure Services.

 

The Board discussed areas of concern arising from the Quarterly Monitoring Reports, in particular BV90a – Satisfaction with Waste Management. The Board requested more information in relation to this Best Value Performance Indicator, as the result did not match other surveys which have been undertaken. 

 

In addition it was noted that areas shaded grey within the reports were not relevant to this Board. Following a discussion the Board requested that for future meetings the quarterly monitoring reports include only information relevant to this Board and that salient points be clearly identified.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)   the quarterly monitoring reports be noted;

(2) more information in relation to BV90a be distributed to Members of the Board; and

(3) the request made by the Board that for future meetings the quarterly monitoring reports include only information relevant to the Board with the salient points be clearly identified, be relayed to the Best Value & Performance Section.

          The Board was presented with the Annual Report, which detailed the activities of the Safer Halton Policy and Performance Board (PPB) during 2006/07.

            The Chairman gave an update on the topics chosen by the Board, which would form the basis of the Working Groups for the Municipal Year 2007/08;

§         Bereavement Services

§         Waste and Recycling;

§         Anti-Social Behaviour and Community Safety, including Domestic Violence;

§         Adult and Elderly Abuse; and

§         Environmental Health and Risk Assessment

In order to establish membership of the Working Groups, Members of the Board were asked to contact the Committee Administrator indicating which working parties they wished to sit on.

           RESOLVED: That

(1)   the Annual Report be noted; and

(2)   Members of the Board contact the Committee Administrator indicating which working party they wished to sit on.

A presentation will be provided detailing the progress on implementing the smoke free legislation.

            The Board received a presentation from the Environmental Health Manager on the progress made in implementing the Smoke Free Legislation. The presentation set out:

 

• the rationale of the legislation;
• health affects of Second Hand Smoke (SHS);
• impact of SHS;
• smoke free legislation;
• requirements of the legislation; and
• compliance, best practice and enforcement.

 

In addition the report gave details of the appointment of Smoke Free Enforcement Officers and the Communities for Health Smokefree Project.

 

The Board discussed the implications of the legislation and possible problems in enforcing it, in particular in relation to communal areas in blocks of flats, holding cells in police stations and in public houses/bars.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and further update reports be bought to the Board as the project progresses.

            The Board received a report of in respect of sexual violence/violent crime, which had previously been submitted to the Safer Halton Partnership on 15^th May 2007 detailing new initiatives relating to sexual violence.

 

The report outlined that the emphasis on domestic abuse within the Government’s agenda was rising and over recent months there had been increasing links to the issue of sexual violence. Within the Government action plan there were sections throughout that detail ongoing commitments for 2007/8. These included:

 

§        a new performance management framework for criminal justice agencies on the investigation and prosecution of serious sexual offences;

§        supporting the sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse voluntary sector through grants totalling £1.25m;

§        encouraging Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to assist in the local sexual abuse sector in building up capacity, and involve them in the development of strategies on sexual violence; and

§        further developing the network of SARCs through additional funding worth £1.1m and practical support.

 

Arising from the discussion reference was made to the high costs associated with domestic violence and how much funding would be needed to ensure continuity of services in the future. 

 

RESOLVED: That

 

1)     the report be noted;

2)     the Domestic Abuse Forum be supported in developing a system of services for victims of sexual violence.

            The Board received a report regarding the management of alleygates. The Executive Board had previously requested the Board to setup a working party to investigate the management of current and future alleygates and this was made available to the Board as Appendix 1 and detailed the proposed operational procedure.

 

            It was noted that a report on Alleygates and Gating Orders (for public highways) was to be considered by the Executive Board on 21 June 2007, seeking approval of the adoption of the policy for the management of alleygates in particular that all proposed alleygates on public highways be supported by a gating order. It was agreed by the Board that this particular recommendation also be contained within the recommendations of the report considered this evening and that the procedures applying to alleygates be the subject of scrutiny later in the Municipal year.

 

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board received the minutes of the meetings of the Anti-Social Behaviour Topic Group from 14 February 2007 and 28 February 2007. It was noted that a further meeting had taken place and the minutes of this would be circulated to the Board for information.

 

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted.  

            The Board was informed of the receipt of a petition containing 4,090 signatures objecting to the opening of a medium secure facility on Bennetts Lane, Widnes. It was affirmed that the position of Halton Borough Council was that the necessary planning permission for this type of use had not been received and that as such the unit could not be open legally. 

 

            The Board requested that a further report be submitted to the next meeting of the Board.

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

(1)   the report be noted; and

(2)   a further report be submitted to the next meeting of the Board.