northlincs.gov.uk

Places Scrutiny Panel – 20 June 2012

PRESENT:  Councillor T Foster in the chair.

Councillors Davison (vice chair), Clark, Oldfield and Wells.

Councillors Armitage and Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.36 (b).

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

136  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following member declared a personal interest –

No whip was declared.

137  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 30 May 2012, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chairman.

138  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – The Chairman advised members of the panel that a request had been received from Mr Mawson, Treasurer of the Messingham Horse and Foal Show Society, who wished to address the panel and share his concerns about the strict regulatory regime for hosting charitable entertainment events which existed in North Lincolnshire.

Mr Mawson explained that the Messingham Horse and Foal Show had been in existence now for over 100 years.  As one of the few remaining community family days left in North Lincolnshire, the show was a hugely popular and successful event.  However, due to the extremely bureaucratic, expensive and time consuming Licensing application process, it was placing an unnecessary burden on the committee members who organise and run the event.  As a community event, it was unfair that this burden and cost had been placed on the committee members.

Mr Bramhill, the council’s Licensing Manager, was also in attendance at the meeting.

Mr Bramhill stated that the Licensing Act was very specific in what events did or didn’t need a licence for regulated entertainment.  The Act does state exemptions to the licence fee, however, Messingham Horse and Foal show would not qualify for an exemption.  Mr Bramhill acknowledged that as a lay member of the public organising an event once a year, completing the application process was a burden.  However, the Licesning Division at the council was more than happy to assist any voluntary or community group in submitting an application.  Unfortunately the council could not turn a blind eye to events that did not have a licence as it had to uphold its reputation, as well as ensure that the event passed off safely without disturbance or annoyance to local residents.  The council also had no discretion as to which fees it waived.

Following the presentation of both Mr Mawson and Mr Bramhill, the Chairman facilitated a discussion on the Licensing application process.

Resolved – (a) That Mr Mawson and Mr Bramhill be thanked for their attendance and contribution at the meeting, and (b) that Messingham Parish Council be asked to add consideration of the licensing of Holme Meadow, Holme Lane, Messingham on to a future meeting agenda.

139  CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The Chairman welcomed Councillor C Sherwood, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport and Leisure to the meeting.  Councillor Sherwood had been invited to the panel meeting to update members on any key decisions, important business or key developments which had occurred during the last quarter.  Namely –

• The successful re-location of the library and local link to the Angel in Brigg
• The receipt and deployment of a new mobile library
• The building programme for improvements to Broughton library
• Feedback on the re-location of the Registration Service to the Civic Centre
• Removal of asbestos from Westcliff library
• Progress on the transfer of Winterton library to a community ran facility
• Progress on the Leisure Services soft market testing
• Olympic Torch event details on 26 June 2012
• Success of Crosby Colts taking over the community responsibility of Foxhills Sports Ground
• Progress on the CCTV review
• The forthcoming review of the NiteSafe initiative

Following the update, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services.

Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted, and (b) that the Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport and Leisure be thanked for his attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions.

140  (5)  CO-ORDINATION OF THE NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK – The Director of Policy and Resources circulated the latest draft of the panel’s report into the ‘co-ordination of the North Lincolnshire Neighbourhood Watch Network’, for their consideration and approval,

Resolved – (a) That members and witnesses be thanked for their input and hard work, and (b) that the report be approved by the panel and submitted to the next meeting of Cabinet for consideration and debate.

141  (6)  LGIU POLICY BRIEFING – PUTTING VICTIMS FIRST – MORE EFFECTIVE RESPONSES TO ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR – The Director of Policy and Resources circulated a briefing paper from the Local Government Information Unit which provided a summary of the Government’s white paper on improving the approach to anti-social behaviour.

Resolved – That the policy briefing be noted.

142  POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT 2011 – The Director of Policy and Resources verbally updated the panel on recent developments with regard to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Resolved – That the update be noted.

143  DEVELOPMENTS LOCALLY – UPDATE – The Director of Policy and Resources updated members on some key developments locally with regard to the South Humber division of Humberside Police.

Resolved – That the situation be noted..

144  SITE VISIT TO NEIGHBOURHOODS – The Director of Policy and Resources informed the panel that members site visit to Safer Neighbourhoods would be held on Monday 9 July 2012, commencing at 10.00 am.

145  ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.