Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Murray and P Nurse

It was agreed that Councillor M Grant be appointed as Chairman for the meeting.

Councillor M Grant took the Chair

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no whipping declarations

To approve the minutes as a correct record

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved and signed by the Chairman subject to Councillor G Merry being included in the list of apologies.

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered.

There were no members of the public present wishing to speak

To receive a presentation on the proposed changes to the Fire Authority by Richard Ost, Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

It was agreed that due to the Assistant Chief Fire Officer being unable to attend this meeting, the item be deferred until the meeting scheduled to be held on 19 December 2013.

To give consideration to the methodology followed and routes that have been reviewed to date – report to follow

Consideration was given to the progress made by Cheshire East Highways on the Route Management Studies (RMS) across the authority during 2012 and 2013 with more to follow in 2014. The objectives behind carrying out RMS were to provide a consistent approach to understanding and assessing the strategic routes, with a view to identifying changes to their existing and future operation. A RMS assesses a route against strategic areas such as operational performance, safety, maintenance and future development and works; this in turn would lead to the identification of specific locations on the route in need of further investigation through the means of a speed limit review or safety assessment.

Members raised several road improvement issues throughout the borough, which the Programme Manager agreed to investigate and report back on, outside of the meeting.

It was noted that it was the intention to introduce a 20mph speed limit outside every school at certain times of the day. It was accepted that the police had limited resources and were unable to police and enforce all routes at all times.

Members requested that Cheshire East Highways work with neighbouring authorities in the development and delivery of schemes and keep Members notified where this occured as this could have an impact on Cheshire East and its residents

It was agreed that communication with Members and the general public needed to be improved to ensure they were made aware of any works due to take place and what those works would consist of.

RESOLVED

That the Portfolio Holder for Environment be informed of the following recommendations:

1.    That the approach for 2014/2015 be supported

2.    That communication with Members and the general public be improved.

3.    That Cheshire East Highways work with neighbouring authorities in the development and delivery of schemes and keep Members notified where this occurs.

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme.  Councillor A Barratt reported back on his visit to the CCTV control room. He found that employees were keen and eager despite working an 11.5 hour shift without a break, as taking a break would leave only one operator manning the control room. There also appeared to be some technical problems with the system.

He also reported that the employees were responsible for the out of hour’s service and monitoring the pub watch scheme.

The Committee agreed that the Head Public Protection and Enforcementshould attend the meeting scheduled to be held on 19 December to:

·         Discuss the staffing and system problems as mentioned above

·         Provide an update on charging town and parish councils

·         Provide information on the out of hours service and pub watch scheme

RESOLVED

That the following issues be considered at the meeting scheduled to be held on 19 December 2013:

·         Presentation by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

·         Staffing issues of the CCTV control room