Agenda and draft minutes

i)              Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

ii)             Other Interests

None

None

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Inspector Anna Woodhouse, Sergeant Patrick Haley and PCSO Supervisor Lee Baker were in attendance on behalf of Derbyshire Police and provided the Committee with an update on the Clear, Hold, Build Project within Buxton.  The project aims to tackle serious and organised crime within the area in conjunction with partner agencies including public health, education and school leaders. 

The first part is ‘Clear’ and is police led to clear issues including drug supply and county lines, the second part is ‘Hold’, which will include the police, DCC, HPBC and others to prevent the location being used by another group, and the third part is ‘Build’, which is to build resilience in the area and let the community grow.  Work is on-going with the Council’s Communities Team and other agencies to develop a plan to address the ‘Hold’ and ‘Build’ elements of the project which will be based around themes addressing clearly identified problems. Details of the plan can be shared in due course.

Regarding funding, some funding had been received for a Safe and Sound Worker who would target children most at risk of exploitation, and there is also enhanced provision from DCC around youth engagement.  Funding had also been awarded via a Home Office programme for a Safer Streets project which could support elements of Clear, Hold, Build, including some dedicated resource in terms of a co-ordinator and some community based initiatives.  Other initiatives included funding from the PCC towards an ASB warden and the renovation of the old housing office on Fairfield which would act as a hub for activities within the area.

Consideration was given to youth engagement, work being done with other agencies including public health and schools, funding for extra services, supporting housing matters and access to services and the reporting of issues by members of the public, to which members were advised to direct their constituents to Crimestoppers in the first instance.  Direct contact details could be made available to members, but to be used with caution and not to report specific instances.  Reference was made to youth provision in New Mills and potential work with vulnerable individuals within the area.  Concern was expressed regarding the limited amount of funding and the need for this to be a long term project and well as the need to support vulnerable people in the area.  Reports on the Support Housing Improvement Plan and the Social Housing Regulation Bill would be submitted to the next meeting.

The police were thanked for their attendance, and it was suggested that a Special Meeting may be convened in February to discuss progress on this matter.

RESOLVED:

That the update be received with thanks.

It was requested that the Environment Agency be invited to the committee to provide information around river pollution, flooding prevention, monitoring and enforcement (specific to this area).

Further to the previous agenda item, it was requested that a Special Meeting could be convened in February to consider the Clear, Hold, Build Action Plan.

It was commented that going forward, the committee may wish to take an alternate approach to the timetabling of meetings.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the above, the Select Committee Work Programme be noted.

This item is deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the process to create an Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy and an associated Action Plan for the Borough using the methods outlined in the report.  The report also updated members on the plans to create a Cultural Strategy Advisory Group, who will assist in the creation of a Cultural Strategy and Action Plan for the Borough. 

Reference was also made to the Conservation Management Plan for Melandra Roman Fort archaeological site as set out in paragraph 7.4 of the report and the ability to tie up other historical sites and assets across the Borough.

Reference was made to the potential life of the Advisory Group, and the view expressed that this group could be the start of a longer term group, to which members were advised that the intention was that this group would eventually evolve into a Cultural Compact.  It was requested that the wording in 9.6 of the report or the Terms of Reference of the Advisory Group be amended accordingly.

The view was expressed that the delivery of the plan is ambitious, but there is some bias towards performing arts, to which members were advised that there is flexibility within the process.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the process for the creation of a Cultural Strategy Advisory Group, Cultural Strategy and Cultural Action Plan for the Borough following the approach outlined in the report, be noted;

2.    That 3 members of the Committee be appointed to join the Advisory Group on a voluntary basis.

The Committee received a presentation setting out the progress of the Community Leadership Scheme, the enhancement of which is a committed priority action within the Council’s Borough Plan. 

Members were presented with an overview of the scheme which aims to support councillors by identifying community issues or concerns and addressing those concerns through influencing service delivery and / or facilitating community self help, and locality analysis information which aims to provide an initial starting point for discussions about the needs of different places in the High Peak.

Discussion ensued around resources already available to help councillors work for the benefit of their communities together with suggestions for other information that would be of use in enhancing the scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted.

None

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Committee received an update around the Leisure Transformation Plan.