Minutes – Community Affairs Committee – 21 January 2019

The minutes of this meeting are presented below.

You can also download a PDF copy of the minutes here: Minutes – Community Affairs Committee – 21 January 2019

MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 21 JANUARY 2019 AT 5.30PM

PRESENT:

• Councillors Apel, P Evans, Galloway, Hixson, Macey, Sharp, Spink

EX-OFFICIO:

• The Mayor (Councillor Bell), Deputy Mayor (Councillor Tupper)

ALSO PRESENT:

• Councillor Plowman, Inspector Steve Turner – Sussex Police, Pam Bushby -Divisional Manager, Communities, Chichester, District Council, Graham Pound – Friends of Valletta, Liz Turner – Friends of Ravenna

APOLOGIES:

• Councillors Dignum and Kilby, Julia Sander – Friends of Chartres

ABSENT:

• Councillor Holman

IN ATTENDANCE:

• Town Clerk, Administration Manager

45. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

As recorded above.

46. MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 November 2018, having been printed and circulated, were submitted and the Chairman was authorised to sign the same as a correct record.

47. UPDATE FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

Any matters arising from the previous Minutes were included on the Agenda for this meeting.

48. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE IN MATTERS ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING

Councillors Apel, Galloway, Hixson and Macey declared a Personal Interest as Members of Chichester District Council.

49. POLICING AND SECURITY IN THE CITY

(a) Sussex Police

The Chairman welcomed Inspector Steve Turner of Sussex Police to the meeting.

Inspector Turner reported on recent incidents in the area and that through partnership working with other agencies, a positive outcome had been achieved on some incidents and others were under continuing investigation.  The new CCTV camera at the Council House had proved beneficial in a recent crime that had taken place.  The Custody Suite at Chichester Police Station had now closed which had enabled police officers to be allocated elsewhere in the district.  Although no permanent visible Police presence in the City, there was still prevention, intervention and interaction activities taking place to avert crime.

Members were invited to ask questions and Inspector Turner replied accordingly.  A concern over the ‘101’ service was raised, and members were advised that the dissatisfaction of this service by members of public was known and that improvements were required.

(b) Community Warden Update

The Chairman welcomed Pam Bushby, Divisional Manager, Communities, Chichester District Council, to the meeting.  Mrs Bushby advised that the process of early intervention was the most productive approach to many issues dealt with by the Community Wardens and working in partnership with Sussex Police and other multi-agencies, meant that incidents could be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Mrs Bushby advised that there was a Report going to Chichester District Council Cabinet on a replacement programme for the out-dated CCTV cameras in the City.

(c) Community Warden Reports

The Committee noted the Community Warden Reports for the City Centre, East and West Wards which had been circulated to all members prior to the meeting.

50. MAYOR’S HOMELESSNESS FORUM

The Mayor reported on the meeting held on Wednesday 12 December 2018 that included members from many local organisations that were involved with rough sleepers and homeless people in the City.  The meeting had been positive with details being exchanged between all parties.  Notes of the meeting had been taken and would be circulated.  The next meeting was proposed for either the end of February or early March 2019 and the Mayor would report back at the next Community Affairs Committee meeting.

A question was asked on the number of rough sleepers and homeless people in the City, however a true definitive number could not be given.

The Mayor thanked Inspector Turner for attending the meeting.

51. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF FRIENDS OF CHARTRES, RAVENNA AND VALLETTA

(a) Friends of Chartres

The Friends of Chartres report had been circulated to all members and noted.

It was noted that during the 60th Anniversary of the twinning that was being held at the end of February/beginning of March 2019, a commemorative tree would be planted in Litten Gardens with an appropriate plaque.  The City Council would be paying the costs for the tree and plaque.  It had previously been suggested there be a Civic Procession to the Cathedral for the 5.30pm Evensong on Friday 1 March 2019, however this would not be feasible.

(b) Friends of Ravenna

The Friends of Ravenna report had been circulated to all members and noted.

(c) Friends of Valletta

The Friends of Valletta report had been circulated to all members and noted. 

52. CHICHESTER TREE WARDENS

The Committee were advised that the Chichester Tree Wardens had not submitted a report to this meeting.

The Chairman advised that he had asked the Planning Adviser to report to the next Planning & Conservation Committee Meeting on the consultation on Protecting and Enhancing England’s Trees and Woodlands by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 

Councillor Plowman commented that consideration should be given when planting trees to their longevity.

53. CLIMATE CHANGE

Council Minute 52 and 53 refers

The Chairman invited Councillor Sharp to give her presentation on how the Community can help Climate Change.

It was RESOLVED that this item be referred to the next Administration for further discussion by the Community Affairs Committee as a matter of priority and the setting up of a Working Group also be dealt with in the next Administration.   The Terms of Reference for the Community Affairs Committee would be amended.

The Chairman added that he was keen for there to be a greater involvement with younger people and said that maybe the City Council’s Schools Competition could be re-introduced and perhaps include a ‘Climate Change’ competition.

54. CAR FREE DAY

Council Minute 51 refers

The Town Clerk advised that following the Council Meeting in December 2018, when this matter was raised by a member of the public, he had contacted West Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council and BID.  The response from the Chief Executive of Chichester District Council, who had spoken to the County Council Chief Executive on this matter, was not supported.  The view of BID was favourable.

Members were disappointed with the response as the District Council’s ‘Chichester Vision’ document included alternative travelling methods and felt that it was the decision of District Council and County Council Members collectively, on whether such a scheme was viable.

The Committee discussed the advantages and disadvantages of having a Car Free Day each month, on a Sunday, and suggested that such an initiative should be trialled for 1 day as an experiment.

The Town Clerk was commended for the actions he had already taken and was asked to write again to the Leaders of Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council suggesting a one day trial, on a Sunday, be considered.

Councillor Hixson left the meeting.

55. PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAINS AND ‘REFILL’ SCHEME

The Town Clerk advised that initial enquiries had been made about the possible installation of a public drinking fountain in the Council House, as both Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council offered this facility.  It was noted that it had always been the case that if a member of public entering the Council House requested a drink of water, this would be supplied.

It was RESOLVED that the Property Manager report further on this matter at the next Property Sub-Committee meeting.

Councillor Plowman advised that the plans for a public drinking fountain in Priory Park had been abandoned.

The Committee noted that the public launch of the ‘Refill’ (water bottle refill scheme) in Chichester would take place in the Assembly Room on Wednesday 23 January 2019 between 6pm and 8.30pm.

Councillors Plowman and Spink left the meeting.

56. MONITORING VEHICLE SPEEDS IN ST PANCRAS, CHICHESTER

The Town Clerk reported that a local resident still wished to pursue the matter of monitoring vehicle speeds in St Pancras as statistical information had still not been forthcoming.  The Committee noted that there were two ways of approaching this matter, either by the use of a SID (Speed Indicator Device) or the Community Speedwatch Scheme. 

It was RESOLVED that the resident be advised that the Community Speedwatch Scheme was the preferred scheme of the Committee.  A similar exercise had been carried out by the Westgate Residents so it will be suggested that the resident contact them.

57. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON NEXT AGENDA

• Public Drinking Fountains
• Report from Chichester Marks Holocaust Memorial Day Committee on ‘PUSH’ performance

The meeting ended at 6.55pm.