Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Bhadye, Councillor Caplin, Councillor J Doran, and Councillor Islam.

Councillor Attewell attended as substitute for Councillor Islam, Councillor Bateson attended as substitute for Councillor Caplin, and Councillor Button attended as substitute for Councillor Doran.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2023 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from members in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct.

There were none.

The Chair, or their nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 40.

At the time of publication of this agenda no questions were received.

There were none.

To consider any issues raised by ward councillors in accordance with Standing Order 34.2

At the time of publication of this agenda no ward issues were received.

There were none.

To consider a report on the adoption of the Environmental Health & Building Control Enforcement Policy (2023-2026)

The Senior Environmental Health Manager presented the report on the Environmental Health & Building Control Enforcement Policy.

The Committee had no questions.

The Committee resolved to:

1. Recommend to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that they adopt the Environmental Health & Building Control Enforcement Policy (2023-2026)
2. Recommend to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that they grant approval that minor changes can be made to the Policy with the approval of Deputy Chief Executive with responsibility for Place, Protection and Prosperity.

3.    To note Spelthorne Borough Council’s Environmental Health ‘Procedure for Setting Financial Penalties – Banding the Offence and Determining Appropriate Sanctions’.

To note the 2023 review of Community Safety.

The Community Safety Officer presented the report on the 2023 Review of Community Safety and stated that this was the last of the three-year reports before a new strategy would be introduced in 2024.

Inspector Walton introduced himself as the new Borough Commander and thanked the Committee for inviting him to attend.

The Committee asked what the distinction was between hate crime and non-crime hate incidents. The Borough Commander advised that for non-crime incidents these would only be recorded if there was evidence to show it was specifically targeted against an individual.

The Committee queried what the police were doing with regards to domestic abuse, and violence against women and girls (VAWG). The Borough Commander informed the Committee that a Chief Superintendent was dedicated to this and had already done some targeted activity within Staines. The Community Support Officer advised that they worked proactively to identify locations where people felt unsafe and then targeted that area.

The Committee asked what the police were doing to address residents’ concerns around burglaries in the Sunbury area. The Borough Commander responded that burglaries across the borough were not increasing and that most thefts were from vehicles, specifically tools. The Brough Commander advised that they were present at various trade shows and offered a service to mark tools at point of purchase so that it could be added to a database. He further advised that the Autumn burglary programme had commenced and information would be made available to residents through a series of social media posts, flyers, and community engagement events. The Community Support Officer informed the Committee that they had 57 monitored CCTV cameras across the borough in addition to several unmonitored cameras.

The Committee asked what the police were doing about E-scooters and E-bikes, particularly when being used inappropriately. The Borough Commander responded that the Government would be looking at legislation around E-bikes and E-scooters but clarified that E-Scooters were not legal to use on public roads. He informed the Committee that the police were working to educate children using them as well as parents.

The Committee queried what the police were doing in relation to the increase of NOS cannisters, particularly the large variety. The Borough Commander reported that officers would seize cannisters if people were caught with them. The Community Support Officer added that they worked with Spelthorne Litter Pickers to identify hotspots and would place cameras to catch people who were dumping them.

The Committee stated that some residents felt that they did not see the police on the street enough. The Borough Commander acknowledged they could not respond to everything and stated that they have to prioritise based on a Threat, Risk, Harm assessment. He stated that criminality had changed, including an increase in online crime, and as such resources would not always be visible.

The Committee asked what they could do to help get information through to the police. The Community Support Officer advised the Committee that he would distribute Partnership Intelligence Forms to all Councillors and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33/23

To allow members to put any relevant questions to the Borough Commander.

This item was covered as part of the previous item.

To consider the report on the procurement of play area equipment.

The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services presented the report on improvements to play area and stated that Shepperton Studios decided the location of what play areas would get improved.

The Committee queried if it would be appropriate to have a delay in the procurement process to enable consultation with residents. The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services advised that as part of the procurement exercise there would be engagement with both the community and councillors.

The Committee asked whether there was a Wheelchair Swing in any of the parks in the borough and if not, could one be included. The Committee were advised that would be investigated.

The Committee asked how much a new play area costs and were advised that it varies, examples of costs were given that included; cost of a bank of swings at around £6,000 - £7,000, and cost of surfacing at around £40,000.

The Committee resolved to:

1. Authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to commence a tender for the procurement of play area equipment;
2. Delegate authority to the Group Head Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Chair of Neighbourhood Services to appoint the chosen supplier/s; and

3.    Authorise the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter the contract with the selected supplier.

To note the report on Road Channel Sweeping.

The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services presented the report on Road channel sweeping.

The Committee queried whether it would be possible to let residents know the day the street sweeper would be attending each road. The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services advised against this option and stated that there were many factors that could lead to a change in the schedule such as staff sickness and maintenance issues.

The Committee asked if roads could be added to the leafing schedule and whether the use of handheld leaf blowers had been considered. The Committee were advised that they could suggest roads which would then be inspected by officers and added if appropriate. Handheld leaf blowers had been considered but were very resource intensive.

The Committee advised that they would like for the Group Head – Neighbourhood Services to produce a new report which included options for improving the Road Channel Sweeping in the Borough. The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services advised they would bring the report in March 2024 which would allow them time to try potential solutions over the winter period.

The Committee suggested that those councillors that were also County councillors could raise the issue of road closures with Surrey County Council (SCC) directly to see if it would be possible to coordinate the road sweeping schedule with SCC’s drainage works. The Committee further suggested a letter could be sent from the Committee to SCC.

The Committee resolved that a letter would be sent from the Committee to Surrey County Council. The letter would be drafted by the Group Head – Neighbourhood Services and approved by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee as well as Councillor Attewell and Councillor Sexton.

The Committee resolved that a report would be added to the Forward Plan for March 2024 with possible options to deal with the Road Channel Sweeping issue.

The Committee resolved to note the report.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

Additions to the Forward Plan were requested by:

Councillor Bing Dong requested that a report on a Community Toilet scheme be added to the Forward Plan.

Councillor Sexton requested a report on charges for Blue Badge parking in Borough car parks be added to the Forward Plan.

Councillor Clarke requested a report on improvements to Littleton Recreation Area be added to the Forward Plan.

The Committee noted the forward plan with the above agreed additional items.

Meeting ended at 21:30