Meeting documents

Members considered the Consultation Strategy 2017 - 2020 Report presented by Councillor Tanfield. Consultation is a key priority for the Council, and is outlined as such in our Business Plan. It plays a vital role in enabling our diverse communities to give their views, which in turn influences decision making.

Cabinet AGREED to approve the Consultation Strategy 2017 - 2020.

Members considered the Capital Programme Update Report presented by Councillor Seaton.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows:

1. Councillor Cornwell asked for confirmation that we are confident that we are getting the full amount of the disabled facilities grant that we are entitled to from the County Council via their care fund as there are reports nationally that there have been issues. Councillor Seaton confirmed that we are in full receipt of the grant funding that we should receive.


2. Councillor Sutton stated that it is pleasing to see the Disabled Facilities Grant increasing particularly with our ageing population.

Cabinet AGREED to approve the Capital Programme Update.

Members considered the Future of Designated Public Places Orders (DPPO's) and introduction of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO's) - Consultation Outcome Report presented by Councillor Oliver.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows:

1. Councillor Tanfield asked who can issue the fines. Councillor Oliver stated that the legislation says that as well as the police, officers of the local authority can issue tickets;


2. Councillor King stated that there has been a lot of interest on social media, and it has been reported that people are asking for a ban for the whole town of Wisbech but that his understanding is that it is a request for the town centre, he asked for clarification of this. Councillor Oliver agreed that the comments indicate the town centre but by introducing the controlled drinking zone the town centre and the peripheries will be covered;


3. Councillor King asked if the areas covered by the new order will be the same size or larger than the existing arrangements. Councillor Oliver confirmed that the area is the same size but the actual alcohol bans are specific to the Church Gardens, The Memorial Gardens and Tillery Field;


4. Councillor King stated that he lives close to the area known as the Carlisle Garden, there is also a problem in this area and he asked why this is not included within the specified areas. Councillor Oliver stated that initially that area was not as high on the priorities as the other 3 areas, however from the consultation this has been indicated as one of the areas that people are concerned about and therefore we are looking to gather further information to see if a PSPO would be relevant. He confirmed that everything that we do has to be evidence based and as we have the controlled drinking zone that will also give us the evidence required if we should need to introduce a full PSPO in that area;


5. Councillor Cornwell asked for clarification that we are unable to ban alcohol over large areas, we are only able to ban in specific areas where there is sufficient evidence to justify it. Councillor Oliver confirmed that the legislation for PSPO's states that it has to be evidence based and also it has to be in an area which can be enforced. If you try to cover a wider area ban some areas will not be enforced as there will not be the people to carry out the enforcement. Councillor Cornwell stated that there seems to be a misunderstanding in the community as to what we can do;


6. Councillor Butcher stated that he understands that larger areas cannot be enforced, but is concerned that by concentrating on smaller areas the problems will be moved to another place in the town. Councillor Oliver stated that there will be displacement but that is the reason for the change of proposal to have controlled drinking zones which will give additional powers to enforce;


7. Councillor King stated that as a Wisbech resident he welcomes the new powers and is grateful for all the work that Councillor Oliver and the Officers have done to get us to this point;


8. Councillor Clark reiterated Councillor King's thanks;


9. Councillor Sutton agreed and asked if we are sure that we are not leaving out the other towns whilst concentrating on Wisbech as other areas have pockets with these problems too and what are we going to do to ensure that these areas are covered. Councillor Oliver stated that the consultation responses came from all areas and they have indicated areas of concern, we are looking to see if they need PSPO's in place or if alternative arrangements can be put in place to solve those problems. The other towns in the district are not being left out we are looking at any issues that come forward and if the evidence is there we will be able to implement PSPO's very quickly.

Cabinet AGREED that:

• 
  
  The existing Designated Public Place Orders for March & Whittlesey will cease from 20 October 2017.
  
  


• Public Spaces Protection Orders are introduced from 20 October 2017, to ban the consumption of alcohol at the locations set out in Appendix C of the Cabinet Report and to provide a controlled drinking zone within the other areas within Wisbech on the same boundary as the existing DPPO as per Appendix D of the Cabinet Report.

Members considered the Wisbech 2020 Vision Update Report presented by Councillor Clark, he informed them that he would like to add a recommendation for members to consider; to delegate the approval of any subsequent changes to the Wisbech 2020 Vision Update document to himself.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows:

1. Councillor King stated that this is a very good document, the Wisbech 2020 Vision is very close to his heart as he was involved in the project along with Councillor Oliver and Councillor Clark from the outset. He stated that he feels that members should have more of an input into the next update as there are points within the document that he had no knowledge of until he read the report and there is no real recognition of the importance of the voluntary and community sector and he feels that is a serious omission. He suggested the following points for Councillor Clark's consideration:
   
   
   
   • A representative from the voluntary and community sector should be added to the steering group, that representative should be chosen by themselves;
   
   
   • The formation of a Wisbech Heritage Group to meet bimonthly to discuss issues and opportunities for the various heritage sites and groups in Wisbech. This would include opportunities for partnership working, fundraising, in with local festivals, joint procurement of services from specialist builders and architects and working with conservation officers. This would be based upon the community groups brought together under the Wisbech High Street project plus all other heritage linked organisations in Wisbech such as those involved with the Wisbech General Cemetery, Wisbech and Fenland Museum, Wisbech Castle and the Brinks Festival run by Octavia Hill Birthplace House;
   
   
   • Evolution of the Wisbech 2020 Vision - if the Government decides to progress this project, the partners should add a fifth theme, to be steered by the current working group. This theme will focus on the possibility of Wisbech becoming a climate change resilient town of the future and a model for sustainable growth.
   
   
   
   


2. Councillor King stated that he supports the delegation of subsequent changes to Councillor Clark;


3. Councillor Tanfield stated that culture is something that is important for every town. She stated that she is concerned about creating another group as even if the will is there without leadership and funding the group can become unfocussed. There are lots of facilities and groups already in Wisbech but agreed to support a new group if it is felt that it is required, but feels that a more fluid group would be better than a group focussed on one thing;


4. Councillor Cornwell stated that the comments being made are indicating the problems that arise when members have not been involved in the development of a document but are presented with it. He added that this creates some problems as we are unaware of the discussions that have taken place in the background during the development. He stated that he is fully supportive of the Wisbech 2020 Vision but feels we are being asked to support this document when we are not fully prepared;


5. Councillor Murphy stated that he feels this is a working document and what we are considering today and should agree on is a working document with the opportunity to discuss further points when they arise;


6. Councillor Clark stated that, following the comments made today he will accept delegation but agreed to take any changes back to Cabinet, he agreed to take this matter to an informal Cabinet meeting to go through the document and address the problems that have been highlighted.

Cabinet AGREED to:

• 
  
  note and approve the refreshed Wisbech 2020 Vision strategy and agree to FDC and its partners progressing delivery of actions contained therein.
  
  


• 
  
  delegate approval of any subsequent changes to the Wisbech 2020 Vision Strategy to Councillor Clark.