Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Cooper, Price, Alley and King.

The substitutes were Councillor Reed for Councillor Cooper, Councillor Giles-Medhurst for Councillor Price, and Councillor Hearn for Councillor Alley.

To confirm, as being a correct record, the minutes of the General Public Services, Community Safety & Infrastructure Committee, held on 23 July 2024, and for them to be signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the General Public Services, Community Safety and Infrastructure Committee held on 23 July 2024 be confirmed as a correct record subject to the following minor amendment:

Minute 4 (Declarations of Interest) to read:

Councillors Giles-Medhurst, Raeburn, Scarth and Nelmes declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 6 by virtue of owning, or having the use of, an electric vehicle.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

Items of other business notified under Council Procedure Rule 30 to be announced, together with the special circumstances that justify their consideration as a matter of urgency. The Chair to rule on the admission of such items.

An item of business to seek approval for a public consultation on a proposed 3-year extension of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was accepted by the Chair under Council Procedure Rule 30 on the grounds that it was in the interest of members of the public for the consultation to be able to proceed in a timely way.

The report requests that the Committee approve public consultation on the proposed 3 year extension of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) with restrictions for dogs currently in place throughout the District.

Recommendation

       i.          That approval is given for a public consultation to extend the current PSPO (with variations as outlined in this report) relating to dog control for a further 3 years.

      ii.          That the results of the public consultation to be collated and presented to this Committee in January 2025 for a decision.

The Associate Director for Environment presented the report.

In response to questions it was confirmed that a map would be included as part of the consultation which would indicate the areas to be covered by the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).  If strong indication was received during the consultation that a wider area should be covered, this would be included in the recommendations to be brought back to the Committee at a later date for a decision.   It was also confirmed that site notices would be displayed as part of the consultation, and clarification was given that ‘land adjacent to the highway’ was generally taken to mean footpaths.

RESOLVED:

       i.         That approval is given for a public consultation to extend the current PSPO (with variations as outlined in the report) relating to dog control for a further 3 years.

     ii.         That the results of the public consultation be collated and presented to the Committee in January 2025 for a decision.

Presentation by Peta Mettam – CEO of Citizens Advise Service Three Rivers (CASTR)

The Chair welcomed Peta Mettam, CEO of Citizens Advice Three Rivers (CASTR) to the meeting.   Peta Mettam presented the CASTR annual update.

Areas covered during the presentation included the services provided by CASTR and the number of clients assisted; the financial value to the community; the other value provided (for example by promoting inclusion and providing advice across a wide range of areas); individual case studies; means of access; the benefits of volunteering; feedback from clients; the impact of CASTR; and research and campaign work and national campaign successes.

The Chair commended CASTR for their valuable services and thanked Peta for her presentation.

RESOLVED: To note the annual report of Citizens Advice Three Rivers.

This report covers this Committees financial position over the medium term (2024 – 2027) as at Period 3 (end of June).

Recommendation

That Members note & comment on the contents of the report.

The Head of Finance presented the budget monitoring report for period 3, which had previously been presented to the Policy and Resources Committee.

The Committee noted the key change on the revenue side relating to a reduction in recycling income.  On the capital programme the key changes related to adding in CIL and grant monies.

RESOLVED:

       i.         To note the report.

The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy expired in August 2024 and has therefore been updated and reviewed. The new draft policy is attached at Appendix A.

Recommendation

That; General Public Services, Community Safety and Infrastructure Committee agrees the Three Rivers District Council’s Anti-social behaviour policy 2024 and recommends to Policy and Resources and Full Council.

The Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager presented the report.

In response to a question it was noted that the increase in animal nuisance relating to dogs largely arose from dogs which were left on their own for long periods of time and therefore caused a nuisance by barking, although there were also occasional cases of dogs being mistreated.  There was close co-operative working between the Council and housing providers in relation to instances of animal nuisance.

In response to a question about the process for Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) case reviews and whether the threshold of 3 complaints in the last 6 months was appropriate, it was noted that there had only been 2 ASB case reviews in the last 6 months.  Cases where a review was sought were discussed with partner agencies and at the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Group which collectively took the decision as to whether the threshold for a case review had been met.

RESOLVED:

       i.         That the Committee agrees the Three Rivers District Council Anti-Social Behaviour Policy 2024 and recommends it to the Policy and Resources Committee and Full Council.

In September 2018 a proposal was agreed by Policy and Resources Committee to restructure the councils external grant process. This resulted in development of service level agreements with selected local organisations using the revenue funding and small capital projects which the Leisure, Environment and Community Committee would agree to be allocated to the service area.

In October 2018 Leisure, Environment and Community Committee agreed the capital grant for 2019/20 and that future health and wellbeing projects would be detailed in the service plans of Strategy and Partnerships and Leisure. This funding has been spent on Outdoor Spaces. As five years have passed a review is required for allocation of the capital funding from 2024-2029. This report will explore the reasons and options for expenditure for the next 5 years with recommendations.

Recommendation

That:

       i.          Committee agree to continue to use the Capital Grants funding of £20,000 per year for the next 5 years to support health and wellbeing initiatives in the district between Strategy and Partnerships and Leisure and Natural Infrastructure teams. The financial split between the teams will be Strategy & Partnerships £13,000, Leisure and Natural Infrastructure £7,000. Individual projects will be costed and agreed through the service planning process. This recommendation is subject to continuing budget provision.

      ii.          Committee agree that decisions for the 2024/25 allocation be delegated to the Associate Director for Corporate, Customer and Community in consultation with Group Leaders.

The Head of Community Partnerships presented the report.

In response to a question as to whether food or heating vouchers could be provided using capital grant funding, the Committee heard that this was not possible as the use of capital grants was restricted to the purchase of items.  The Household Support Fund had been extended and could also be used to support the healthy hubs and food banks, although this would also be through the purchase of specific items. 

A Committee Member noted that the capital grants funding had remained at £20,000 for a number of years; officers responded that any increase to the amount would need to be agreed through the budget process.

RESOLVED:

       i.         That the Committee agrees to continue to use the Capital Grants funding of £20,000 per year for the next 5 years to support health and wellbeing initiatives in the district between Strategy and Partnerships and Leisure and Natural Infrastructure teams.  The financial split between the teams will be Strategy and Partnerships £13,000 and Leisure and Natural Infrastructure £7,000.  Individual projects will be costed and agreed through the service planning process.  This resolution is subject to continuing budget provision.

     ii.         That the Committee agrees that decisions for the 2024/25 allocation be delegated to the Associate Director for Corporate, Customer and Community in consultation with Group Leaders.

This report provides an overview of the draft service plans which detail our ambitions, priorities, targets and how each service area is working towards delivering the Councils’ objectives outlined in the Corporate Framework. Key Performance Indicators and Service Volumes are included within the service plan alongside a link to the strategic, operational and climate resilience risks.

Recommendation

For the Committee to comment on and/or request any amends to the draft service plans for 2025 – 2028. Final Service Plans will be agreed by Council alongside the budget.

The Head of Community Partnerships presented the report.

Committee Members commented on the service plans as shown below.

Planning Policy and Conservation

Conservation Area Appraisal locations (under ‘Projects, Policies and Strategies’): information relating to the appraisal locations will need to be added when the final version is presented to the Committee later in the year.

Key Performance Indicator ESD04 (‘Percentage of new homes built on previously developed land’) shows a target of 60% which isn’t feasible.  Officers to check whether this is a national indicator.

Key Performance Indicator ESD01 (‘Net additional homes provided’): this indicator shows a 2024/25 target of 640, which is closer to the national (NPPF figure) target rather than the Council’s own current target.   Officers to check whether this is a national indicator.  If ESD01 and ESD04 are national indicators, text should be added to the page to reflect that they are imposed targets.

Regulatory Services

The Projects, Policies and Strategies section should reflect that delivery of the LCWIP will be dependent on input from HCC and Parish Councils, and will also be dependent on funding being available.  Officers should therefore review the wording ‘agree and deliver the LCWIP….’.

Strategy and Partnerships

No comments.

Waste and Environmental Protection

Members discussed whether key performance indicator EP10 (‘Percentage of household waste diverted from landfill’) should show 100%, given that it was HCC’s stated objective to stop sending any waste to landfill in the future.  It was noted that there was as yet no definitive timescale for the stopping of waste to landfill, and so the service plan needed to reflect the current position.

RESOLVED:

       i.         That the Committee notes the draft service plans for 2025-28 and comments as shown above.

This draft report provides an update on the LCWIP project including the key findings from the public consultation held between the 22 May to the 17 July 2023.

Recommendation

       i.          That Members note the report and approve the proposed changes as a result of the public consultation and further investigations detailed in the table below:

      ii.          Officers continue to pursue the LCWIP for presentation of a Plan for adoption at a future Committee meeting.

The Principal Sustainable Travel Planner and Transport Officer presented the report.

The Committee noted that the proposals for Chorleywood had been amended following strong objections received during the consultation.  A meeting had been held with the Chorleywood Residents’ Association and Chorleywood Parish Council to consider possible alternative options.  The suggested alterations to routes 8 and 14 would be reviewed by officers for inclusion prior to the LCWIP final version being agreed or as part of local route developments.

In response to a question about route 2 from Watford to Croxley along the A412, and whether a quieter route had been considered, the committee heard that as LCWIPs were strategic routes they generally followed the most direct route provided that space allowed for a cycleway and the route was deemed to be safe by the highways authority.  The route along the A412 had been deemed as a viable route.

In response to a question about route 14 and the proposal to look at slowing vehicle speeds to improve conditions for cycling, the Committee heard that these would likely include junction protection and junction changes, but this would be subject to consultation with a traffic engineer.  The existing traffic calming measures were expected to remain in place.

An amendment to the recommendations which sought the removal of routes 8, 14 and 7 and the addition of a proposal to investigate working with Transport for London to put a pedestrian bridge under the railway in Chorleywood was moved and seconded.  On being put to the vote the amendment fell.

RESOLVED:

       i.         That the Committee notes the report and approves the proposed changes as a result of the public consultation and further investigations detailed in the table below:

     ii.         That Officers continue to pursue the LCWIP for presentation of a Plan for adoption at a future Committee meeting.

The New CCTV Policy replaces the Three Rivers District Council CCTV Codes of Practice 2021 and forms part of a wider CCTV review currently taking place at Three Rivers District Council. The review includes the purchase of new Community Safety Partnership CCTV cameras, this new policy and an agreement with Hertfordshire County Council to attach CCTV cameras to their street furniture.

Recommendation

That the Committee adopts the new CCTV policy 2024 – 2028 and recommends to Full Council.

And

The Committee agrees to give delegated Authority to Associate Director of Corporate, Customer and Community to authorise minor changes to the policy, such as terminology, clarification, or administrative corrections with no significant impact.

The Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager presented the report.

The Committee discussed the policy for deployment of CCTV cameras, and the process and criteria for seeking the location of a CCTV camera at a particular location.

RESOLVED:

       i.         That the Committee approves the new CCTV policy 2024-2028 and recommends it to the Policy and Resources Committee and Full Council.

     ii.         That the Committee agrees to give delegated authority to the Associate Director of Corporate, Customer and Community to authorise minor changes to the policy such as terminology, clarification or administrative corrections with no significant impact.

Following the approval of planning permission to install hardstanding and associated development to facilitate the creation of parking bays at School Mead, Abbots Langley, Officers are now seeking to implement a form of Traffic Order (an Off Street Parking Places Order) on these parking bays.

Recommendation

       i.          That the Committee agree to an Off Street Parking Places Order to be implemented to impose parking controls on the new parking bays at School Mead (and vary the existing TRO and controls if required).

      ii.          Committee confirm the initial controls proposed and to be consulted upon as:

-           To replicate the existing controls on the new bays

-           for 1 hour parking with 2 hours no return.

-           the Order would operate Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm

            OR

-           To introduce a new TRO on all the existing and proposed bays

-           for 2 hour parking with 2 hours no return.

-           the Order would operate Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm

AND

     iii.          Authority is delegated to the  Director of Finance, in consultation with the Lead Member of General Public Services together with relevant Ward Councillors, to implement the Order and for Officers to make any necessary amendments or variations to the proposal as may be required, including as a result of responses to any consultation; as well as to address or set aside any formal objections to any Notice of Proposal  in connection with approval of the final Order scheme.

The Head of Regulatory Services presented the report.

In relation to the proposed controls to be consulted upon, the Committee noted that the parade of shops to the west of the parking bays included a restaurant/café and a funeral director.  It was considered that one hour’s parking would not be sufficient for visitors to those businesses.  The option to have two hours’ parking on one side and one hour’s parking on the other had been rejected due to the likelihood of this arrangement causing confusion resulting in the application of penalty charges.  The recommendation for 2 hour’s parking with 2 hours no return was therefore the option which was favoured by the Committee.

RESOLVED:

       i.         That the Committee agrees to an Off Street Parking Places Order to be implemented to impose parking controls on the new parking bays at School Mead (and vary the existing TRO and controls if required).

     ii.         That the Committee confirms the initial controls proposed and to be consulted upon as:

-        to introduce a new TRO on all the existing and proposed bays

-        for 2 hour parking with 2 hours no return

-        the Order would operate Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm

    iii.         That authority is delegated to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Lead Member for General Public Services together with relevant Ward Councillors, to implement the Order and for Officers to make any necessary amendments or variations to the proposal as may be required including as a result of responses to any consultation, as well as to address or set aside any formal objections to any Notice of Proposal in connection with approval of the final Order scheme.

To comment on the Committee’s work programme

RESOLVED: that the work programme was noted.