Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Email: committees@midsussex.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

To note Substitutes in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4 -Substitutes at Meetings of Committees etc.

Minutes:

Councillor Stockwell substituted for Councillor Ellis. Councillor Dabell substituted for Cllr Sweatman.

 

2.

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Bennett, Sweatman, Mockford and Ellis.

 

3.

To receive Declaration of Interests from Members in respect of any matter on the Agenda.

Minutes:

Councillor Smith declared a personal interest in Item 7: Waste Management, Recycling and Street Cleansing Services – Annual Report For 2018-19 as her son works for Serco, the Council’s waste collection contractor.

 

4.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 September 2019 pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 September 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

5.

To consider any items that the Chairman agrees to take as urgent business.

Minutes:

The Chairman had no urgent business.

 

6.

Implementation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the Anti-Social Use Of Vehicles in Burgess Hill pdf icon PDF 127 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Mandy Cunningham, Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager, introduced the report which sought to inform the Committee on the proposals to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the anti-social use of vehicles in Burgess Hill (also known as car cruising). On 11 February 2019, Cabinet agreed to expand the use of these powers to help tackle persistent anti-social behaviour through the use of Community Protection Notices and the use of PSPOs to address on-going issues in public spaces such as the anti-social use of vehicles. The Council has worked closely with Sussex Police in managing issues to date and in developing the PSPO and will continue to work in partnership in identifying and acting against offenders. A recent public consultation showed that 91% of respondents supported the proposal to implement the PSPO.

 

A Member referenced Item H, Paragraph 2.2 of Appendix A and noted that, while it is unacceptable, the use of threatening, intimidating or anti-social behaviour is subjective. He enquired whether there are guidelines on how particular behaviour is viewed.

 

The Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager confirmed that the reporting method is through the Police who will take a consistent view in issuing a fixed penalty notice to anyone they have reason to believe has committed an offence under the Order.

 

The Cabinet Member for Community added that Police Officers would have to view the offence and react appropriately which would create a consistent approach.

 

A Member commended the report and noted that the PSPO will only be implemented in Burgess Hill. He sought clarification on what would occur if the ‘car meets’ and associated anti-social behaviour moved elsewhere within the District.

 

The Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager explained that her team will be working with the Police to identify areas where displacement may occur and to monitor the activity and take a reactive approach.

 

A Member noted that the concept of PSPOs was originally designed for application across the District, rather than a particular town or area and highlighted anti-social behaviour involving vehicles within his own parish. He appreciated the approach officers had taken however he felt that PSPOs should be implemented district wide.

 

The Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager recommend that Members report any anti-social behaviour to Officers. She noted that this matter is particular to Burgess Hill however if this becomes a problem elsewhere in the District then the Council can consider implementing the PSPOs in other areas.

 

The Cabinet Member for Community highlighted that there is a district wide approach to anti-social behaviour. He stated that the problem is particular in Burgess Hill and particular to ‘car meets’ which results in anti-social behaviour.

 

A Member expressed sympathy for the residents of those who live around the car park adjacent to McDonalds as she herself feels intimidated when a car blaring music speeds past her.

 

A Member enquired whether the PSPO will cover the A2300.

 

The Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager confirmed that the PSPO does not cover the A2300; it covers the 6 wards  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Waste Management, Recycling and Street Cleansing Services – Annual Report For 2018-19 pdf icon PDF 290 KB

Minutes:

Rob Anderton, Divisional Leader for Commercial Services and Contracts, introduced the report which sought to provide the Committee with a review of the activity of waste management, recycling and street cleansing services from April 2018 to Marc2019. He highlighted the progress of projects that had occurred within the year, drawing attention to the success of the British Heart Foundation pilot and expansion of the Garden Waste collection service. He noted that among the key priorities for 2019/20 are; the expansion of the textiles and small WEEE kerbside collection service, continued work to improve to the quality of recycling; and preparing for the potential implementation of a food waste collection trial.

 

A Member noted that West Sussex County Council (WSCC) compost the garden waste that Mid Sussex collects and enquired whether the Council receive any monetary reimbursement for this.

 

The Divisional Leader for Commercial Services and Contracts confirmed that the Council does not receive an income for the provision of garden waste it collects to WSCC. He added that WSCC pay a contractor to turn the garden waste into reusable compost.

 

The Member noted that residents are now asked to prove that they live in West Sussex when attending the Waste & Recycling Sites however there are some residents of Burgess Hill that reside within East Sussex. She enquired whether this change would encourage more fly-tipping and therefore whether the Council is expecting an increase in fly-tipping.

 

The Divisional Leader for Commercial Services and Contracts explained that there is no suggestion or evidence that the requirement to pay or provide ID to enter a Waste & Recycling Site would result in an increase of fly-tipping.

 

The Member questioned when the food waste collection scheme pilot will be brought forward.

 

Judy Holmes, Assistant Chief Executive, confirmed that a report will be presented to this Scrutiny Committee which will detail the proposal timeline and provide information on the proposed locations for the trial.

 

A Member referenced Item B, Paragraph 7 and queried whether the number was correct as it had seemed considerably different to that in Item A.

 

The Divisional Leader for Commercial Services and Contracts noted that the figure was in fact incorrect and should read 23,800.

 

A Member asked when the next stage of the textiles and small WEEE kerbside collection service would occur.

 

Jo Reid, Business Unit Leader for Waste, Landscapes & Leisure, confirmed that a report was presented at the previous Committee Meeting which detailed the progression of a kerbside collection service provided through the Council’s existing waste and recycling collection contractor, for recycling and the introduction of a collection of textiles and small WEEE, for resale in partnership with a charity.

 

A Member enquired if there is any relationship with this work and that of the Sustainability Strategy and the Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Panel.

 

The Assistant Chief Executive explained that sustainability is embedded in all the Council’s work. She highlighted that the expansion of the garden waste service and the implementation of a food waste collection will further improve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Scrutiny Committee for Community, Customer Services and Service Delivery Work Programme 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 260 KB

Minutes:

Tom Clark, Head of Regulatory Services and Solicitor to the Council, introduced the Work Programme which presented the future reports for the final meeting of the Committee for the municipal year. He highlighted the Equalities and Diversity Scheme Annual Progress Report not only looks back at equality and diversity this past year but will also set the policy going forward.

 

A Member sought clarification on the timetable for the report on the Sustainability Strategy.

 

The Head of Regulatory Services and Solicitor to the Council stated that the Committee is waiting for the Climate Change and Sustainability Working Group to progress work before a report can be brought forward to the Committee.

 

Judy Holmes, Assistant Chief Executive, noted that the report on the Sustainability Strategy will be coming before the Committee but noted that it is specific to the strategy and will report on the work of the of the Working Group.

 

The Chairman noted that no Member wish to speak so moved to the recommendation to note the contents of the Committee’s Work Programme for 2019/20 which was agreed unanimously.

 

RESOLVED

 

The Committee noted the Committee’s Work Programme as set out at paragraph 5 of the report.

 

9.

Questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 10 due notice of which has been given.

Minutes:

No questions were received.