Places Scrutiny Panel – 3 October 2011

PRESENT:  Councillor T Foster in the chair.

Councillors Davison (Vice-Chair), Armitage, Clark, Collinson, England and Ogg.

Councillors Swift and Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

39  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following members declared personal interests:

Member Minute Number Nature of Interest
Councillor Davison 42 Daughter employed by business affected by closure of Carlton Street multi-storey car park
Councillor England 44 Member of Humberside Police Authority

 

No whip was declared.

40  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 5 September, and the special meeting held on 12 September 2011, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chairman.

41  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAKThere were no requests received.

42  CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The chairman welcomed Councillor Briggs and Peter Williams to the meeting, the council’s Cabinet Member for Asset and Estate Management and Sport, Leisure and Culture and Director of Infrastructure Services respectively. Councillor Briggs and Mr Williams 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.

Discussion centred around the following:

  • The Pods
  • Riddings Leisure Centre
  • Baths Hall
  • The Plowright Theatre
  • Registration service

Resolved – (a) That the council’s Director of Infrastructure Services and Cabinet Member for Asset and Estate Management and Sport, Leisure and Culture be thanked for their attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions; and (b) that the additional information requested by members be circulated as soon as practicable.

43  TREES AND WOODS AND THE WORK OF THE WOODLAND TRUST – The chairman informed the meeting that he had been contacted by the Woodland Trust’s policy officer for North Lincolnshire to ascertain if it would be possible for him to attend a panel meeting to inform members of the work of the Trust and how they could assist the council in providing a better environment for local residents.

The Woodland Trust promoted many benefits of planting trees, both for improving peoples’ quality of life and also helping councils reduce costs. The Trust had a good record of working successfully with local authorities in a variety of ways, on policy issues and creating new woods.

Of particular interest to the council may be the Jubilee Woods Project, through which the Trust planned to plant six million trees from this autumn into 2012, to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Members then discussed the request.

Resolved – That the Woodland Trust’s policy officer be invited to a future meeting of the panel.

44  (11)  POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL – The Director of Corporate and Community Services circulated a Local Government Improvement and Development presentation for local council’s on Commissioners and Community Safety Partnerships, for members information.

Resolved – That the presentation be noted.

45  DEVELOPMENTS LOCALLY – UPDATE – The Director of Corporate and Community Services updated members on some related key operational and policing developments locally.

Resolved – That the situation be noted.

46  ADDED ITEM – The chairman informed the panel that he was in receipt of an added item request from Councillor Davison and he was currently liaising with the Director of Corporate and Community Services as to a convenient date and time for the item to be discussed.

Resolved – That the position be noted.