None.

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (CS OSC) had recommended during their recent meeting that the Sustainable Communities OSC scrutinise the recent Bedfordshire Police PEEL HMIC (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary) report at a future meeting due to concerns raised regarding performance. The appropriate representation from the police force would be invited to attend the meeting and the Chairman of the CS OSC also requested that the statutory co-optees on that Committee were invited to participate.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 January 2016 and to note actions taken since that meeting.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 January 2017 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

None.

None.

None.

None.

To receive a brief verbal update from the Executive Member for Community Services and the Executive Member for Regeneration.

The new Executive Member for Community Services was welcomed to the Committee and he advised Members that the annual plan for highways would be made available to them before the end of March 2017, by which time they would also have been made aware who their respective ward contact within the service was. Timely information and regular updates regarding the closure of Dunstable Leisure Centre during the refurbishment period would be communicated to the public, with the Parking Strategy and car parking charges delivered at a future meeting.

The Executive Member for Regeneration advised that the recent Economic Insight briefing had been well attended and information would be shared with those Members who had been unavailable on the day. Central Government had agreed funding via the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) for the M1-A6 strategic link road which was progressingat pace and business enquiries across the region were increasing, supporting growth of the jobs market. Members were appraised of progress to date on Community Planning, the current situation regarding the 5 year land supply, the impact of the national planning policy framework (NPPF) on open countryside, landscape and sustainability and the process whereby the local authority managed hostile applications. The NHS was managing the Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP) which was scrutinised via the Social Care Health and Housing OSC and the local authority were working closely with them to ensure the appropriate infrastructure was supported by S106 contributions where necessary.

Members were advised that the recent Planning Enforcement Task Force recommendations would be assessed and then brought before the Executive for adoption and that the Committee would be kept abreast of developments. IT issues affecting the national planning portal were being investigated due to the impact on the public availability of documents.

To receive an update on progress and a timeline for delivery in relation to a public consultation on the Local Plan.

The Interim Head of Place Delivery delivered a presentation which set out the position of the Council in light of a recent Government Housing White Paper, the new timeline for delivery of the Local Plan, key studies and the results of a recent high level public consultation. Clarity was provided in relation to the Expressway (road) proposals with the Department for Transport assessing the various options available. A recent community planning event had been successful and as the Local Plan progressed the Committee would form part of a wider public consultation on proposals. Members were advised of the importance of the national infrastructure commission and the information impacting the need for the Local Plan to be largely infrastructure led, providing a sustainable solution and meeting the needs of residents and businesses.

In light of the presentation Members discussed the following in summary:-

·           The need to work with neighbouring authorities in order to progress the Wixams rail proposals.

·           That development management policies needed to be carefully assessed in order to support growth.

·           The need for a consistent approach to community planning events in order to attract a high local turnout.

·           How the Government Housing White paper could provide greater clarity and enable a simpler process when formulating Local Plans.

·           That sites were currently being technically assessed with local views sought prior to a final decision on location.

·           That the timetable was critical in minimising the impact of hostile applications.

NOTED the update.

The report sets out proposals and recommendations for the future of Central Bedfordshire Councils public space CCTV system.

The Community Safety Operations Manager delivered a report which provided details of the current arrangements regarding CCTV operations across Central Bedfordshire, with the current systems nearing their end of life. A recent consultation had supported conclusions set out within the report and Members were appraised of the available options, the costs, benefits and revenue generation projections. The Council and partners recognised the value of CCTV in detecting and minimising crime and there was wide public support for its use.

In light of the report Members discussed the following in summary:-

·           Concerns regarding the lack of match funding for the provision from the police.

·           Neighbouring and other local authority’s approach to bus lane and HGV enforcement.

·           That the location of cameras was evidence based and placed in known hotspots, however rural areas and those with low crime statistics could request a deployable camera at a cost.

·           The need to demonstrate that statutory duties with regards to public safety were met in the eventuality that CCTV was decommissioned.

·           That the directorate further explore the options around the location of the CCTV control room, taking into account the uncertainty around the future use of Council assets and include a scored assessment within the final report to the Executive laying out the benefits of the proposed location.

·           That the directorate ensure the maximum use of commercial recovery on the new system.

RECOMMENDED that the Council invests in a new multi-functional CCTV control room at Priory House, procures new HD cameras utilising wireless technology to improve image quality and reduce signal transmission costs, whilst also offering other complimentary services to generate whole Council efficiencies and increase income.

Cllr Morris abstained.

Members of the Committee will receive information regarding the Work Programme 2016/17 and Executive Forward Plan.

RECOMMENDED that the Committee Work Programme be agreed subject to the following amendments:-

·           Local Plan, Community Planning – 25 May 2017

·           Parking Strategy – 25 May 2017

·           Parking Charges – 25 May 2017

·           Regeneration of Dunstable High Street – 25 May 2017

·           Bedfordshire HMIC Report – Date TBC

·           Local Plan, Public Consultation Stage – 13 July 2017

·           Partnership Working with Anglian Water, Lessons Learned – 13 July 2017