Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of 14 October 2019.

The minutes of the meeting of 14 October 2019 were confirmed and signed subject to the following comments;

1.    Councillor Booth said in relation to minute OSC20/19 point 44; he has heard reports that trees in Wisbech Park are being removed and not replaced and asked for further clarification on this. Carol Pilson confirmed that there is no Council endorsed policy in relation to the replacement of trees however each tree replacement is assessed on its own merits. She agreed to look into this further.

Members to receive an update on the previous meeting’s Action Plan.

Members were provided with an update on the status of actions raised a previous meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

To review the first eight months of the contract working with Peterborough City Council and a private environmental enforcement partner, Kingdom / LA Support.

Members considered the Environmental Enforcement Contract – progress update report, presented by Carol Pilson and Annabel Tighe.

Carol Pilson informed members that unfortunately Councillor Murphy was unable to attend today’s meeting due to personal circumstances.

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

1.    Councillor Wicks asked what the implications are to the Council following the action of Peterborough City Council (PCC) and their cancellation of the contract with Kingdom (LA Support) from February 2020. Carol Pilson confirmed that PCC would be ending their contract with Kingdom (LA Support) in February 2020. She explained that whilst the Council have a separate contract with Kingdom (LA Support), they have been clear in that the contract was only viable if the Council were in partnership with another local authority. She confirmed that officers had been proactively exploring the options available to the Council including; finding another local authority partner, identifying existing resource within the Council to deliver this service in-house and the possibility of working with PCC by utilising their in-house service. She stated that discussions have taken place with other local authorities within and outside of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to assess their plans. Officers are also working alongside Portfolio Holders, Councillor Murphy and Councillor Tierney.

2.    Councillor Cornwell asked for the results of the Council’s discussions with Kingdom (LA Support). Carol Pilson explained that the Council’s partnership with Kingdom (LA Support) will likely end at the same time as the PCC contract ends.

3.    Councillor Cornwell highlighted that the Council only have a short period of time to make alternative arrangements and asked for assurance that the Council are working hard to mitigate the risks of this service ending. Carol Pilson reiterated that the Council are being very proactive in their approach and are liaising with Kingdom (LA Support) on a daily basis. She confirmed that the Council are discussing alternative options with Kingdom (LA Support) as well as other local authorities and added that the Council do have their own resource available too however this would be dependent on member’s future plans for this service area.

4.    Councillor Booth stated that Full Council had recently considered a motion in relation to the decriminalisation of parking and asked whether officers had explored combining the enforcement of this with the current enforcement service. Carol Pilson confirmed that officers continue to monitor how the two projects could run in parallel with one another. She explained that Kingdom (LA Support) offer a wide range of enforcement services however combining these projects would be dependent on member’s priorities at the time. She added that there would be a significant capital start-up cost in relation to parking enforcement which may not make the project financially viable.

5.    Councillor Miscandlon asked if there was a risk of the current contract ending with Kingdom (LA Support) and the Council having no replacement service in place. Carol Pilson confirmed that there could be a small break in service whilst the Council assess their options however dependent on  ...  view the full minutes text for item OSC24/19

Members to receive a presentation.

Members received a presentation in relation to the Wisbech 2020 Vision and Wisbech Rail Update.

Russell Beal thanked Anglian Water for supporting and financing his work as the Programme Manager on the Wisbech 2020 project.

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

1.    Councillor Miscandlon asked what impact the Government’s decision to postpone the rail upgrades to Ely North will have on the project. Rowland Potter explained that discussions are still ongoing in relation to this rail enhancement and assured members that the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) are passionate about resolving these constraints and have lobbied Central Government. He confirmed that the CPCA have highlighted the impact these constraints will have on both the region and wider area.

2.    Councillor Miscandlon said further work needs to be undertaken in relation to public engagement. Rowland Potter agreed.

3.    Councillor Count referred back to the postponement of works at Ely North and confirmed that the Mayor of the CPCA is lobbying Central Government. He said the upgrade work is essential to the project due to train paths that will be released to allow access direct access to Wisbech.

4.    Rowland Potter assured members that partners are standing firm and resolute to accelerate these programmes of work to allow increased rail capacity in the region.

5.    Councillor Booth asked if the delay in work at Ely North will stop the implementation of the Wisbech to Cambridge rail line. Rowland Potter explained that a study is current underway to assess the impact of this with the outcome expected in March 2020. He confirmed that this work will have a transformational impact as it will provide a service that does not currently exist, on to a main line rail link and is a fundamental part of the Wisbech 2020 Vision.

6.    Councillor Count added that if the direct line between Wisbech and Cambridge is not available, this will mean passengers travelling to Cambridge or Peterborough will have to change at March Railway Station. He informed members that whilst the service will be impacted locally, it will also impact other regions that rely on that train line. He explained that consideration is being given to the possibility of delivering a shuttle service which again will be dependent on the timetabling and Ely North junction. He reiterated that whilst we can consider timetabling issues locally, consideration must also be given to the end location of these trains too.

7.    Councillor Cornwell highlighted that following the formation of the CPCA, powers were to be removed from Central Government however there still appear to be blockages from Central Government and asked if the Wisbech 2020 Steering Group could lobby Central Government to appoint a direct representative locally. Rowland Potter that ministers are aware of the challenges and there have been positive discussions at a senior government level.

8.    Adrian Chapman explained that the former Member of Parliament, Steve Barclay, had been a member of the Wisbech 2020 Core Vision Group and had consistently championed  ...  view the full minutes text for item OSC25/19

Members to receive a presentation.

Members received a presentation in relation to Freedom Leisure Review, from Matt Hunt (Freedom Leisure).

Matt Hunt thanked members for the invitation to today’s Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting and introduced Dan Palframan (Area Manager for Freedom Leisure).

He informed members that Freedom Leisure have been very impressed by the calibre of staff that joined them from the Council.

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

1.    Councillor Topgood highlighted the negative public perception of Freedom Leisure following the closure of Wisbech Indoor Bowls Club and asked what is being done to improve engagement with this part of the community. Matt Hunt explained that when the Council decided to outsource the management of their Leisure Centres, one of the consequences of this was the closure of Wisbech Indoor Bowls Club. He explained that Freedom Leisure are working hard to reverse the perception residents have based on this decision and are actively engaging the older generation through many community activities, one of which is the ‘Over 75’s Unlimited Swimming Programme’.

2.    Councillor Booth stated that there have been complaints on social media regarding some of the facilities and building maintenance at the Hudson Leisure Centre in Wisbech and asked what is being done to tackle this. Councillor Clark explained that whilst she is the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, she is also a member and user of the Hudson Leisure Centre. She explained that there have been issues however these have been addressed and dealt with quickly and efficiently by operational staff. Matt Hunt endorsed this and reiterated that Freedom Leisrue try to resolve problems as soon as they are raised. He highlighted that due to the age of the buildings, they have inherited some issues however Freedom Leisure are passionate about investment into these facilities.  He informed members that the new showers have opened today at the Hudson Leisure Centre.

3.    Councillor Booth asked that if these comments could be addressed on social media to improve the public’s negative perception. Matt Hunt agreed to consider this.

4.    Councillor Yeulett asked if the uptake of membership varies seasonally. Matt Hunt confirmed this as correct.

5.    Councillor Yeulett asked what proportion of the Capital Investment is the Council’s. Matt Hunt confirmed that it was 80%.

6.    Councillor Yeulett asked if the Council have to make any further financial contribution, how much this will be. Matt Hunt confirmed that this has not been decided.

7.    Councillor Booth asked if members could be provided with a key list of the contractual requirements and Freedom Leisure’s delivery against these. Phil Hughes confirmed that this data would be available in April 2020.

8.    Councillor Clark encouraged members to visit the leisure centres to see the work undertaken as part of the capital investment.

(Councillor Cornwell declared an interest by virtue of the fact that his son is an employee of Freedom Leisure and took part in the discussion for this agenda item)

To consider the Draft Work Programme for Overview & Scrutiny Panel 2019/20.

Members agreed the Future Work Programme subject to the following comments;

1.    Due to the General Election, the meeting scheduled to take place on 2 December 2019 has been cancelled. Members asked if consideration could be given to holding an additional meeting on 13 January 2019. Councillor Miscandlon agreed to liaise with officers in relation to this.