Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2019 be approved as a correct record.

Sandra Jowett informed the committee about the aims of the Accessible Buxton project, which aims to improve accessibility and inclusion across Buxton.  The priority actions included:

·         Public accessible toilets and a changing places toilet

·         Creation of an experts by experience group

·         An audit of the challenges of getting around Buxton and the production of a plan of improvements including signage

·         A one-stop information point (website and hard copy leaflets and posters) for residents, businesses and visitors

·         Shopmobility – the identification of a space in Buxton to store and hire out scooters

·         Ramps – the provision of mobile ramps in the town

The benefit to residents, visitors and businesses of improving accessibility in  Buxton was discussed and one aim was to be positively reviewed in the Euan’s Guide to provide visitors with full information around accessibility in Buxton in order to encourage and promote tourism. 

One of the main aspiration of the group was to provide a changing places toilet within Buxton, at an estimated cost of £17,000 within an existing space.  Reference was made to the disabled facilities grant programme, part of which could be used for community projects, together with on-going discussions with other partners including the Safer Places Initiative.

Members were very supportive of the project, and commented that although this project was aimed at Buxton, similar initiatives needed to take place across the whole of the High Peak and wider Peak District.

RESOLVED:

That Sandra be thanked for her presentation and the aims of the project be supported..

Annual Leisure Centre Service Report

Representatives of Parkwood and Lex Leisure presented members with the Annual Leisure Centre Service Report since the start of the contract of 1 April 2019.

The presentation provided details of new initiatives provided at all sites across the borough, key usage statistics, including a breakdown of visits to each site which were then broken down further by the identified sport and physical activity strategy priorities.  A number of place based activities had been undertaken including drowning prevention week at local schools and dementia sessions in conjunction with The Bureau.  New investments at each site were outlined as well as planned capital works. Reference was made to changes made to the swimming lesson programme which had had the effect of reducing the waiting list at each facility and ensured consistency of delivery for parents  Work around carbon reduction measures and a reduction in the use of single use plastics was also set out.

Members made reference to differences in satisfaction levels between sites which were being addressed by the sharing of good practice both at a local level and regionally.

It as requested that the attendance figures be provided to reflect unique individual attendances, as well as a breakdown between young people and teenagers which could be provided.

It was commented that the cost of memberships could be a barrier to young people in full time education accessing services, and concern expressed at the numbers of teenagers undertaking no or little physical activity.  Members were advised that concessionary pricing would be reviewed in due course.

Some concern was expressed regarding pool opening hours particularly if you work full time, and members were advised that the revised pool programme aimed to provide a balanced pool programme.

Buxton Pavilion Gardens

Members were presented with and update on progress at the Pavilion Gardens since the concession started in February 2019. Investment and Development had been undertaken and in partnership with Parkwood, HPBC are investing over £557,000 in Pavilion Gardens over phase 1 and 2.  Other developments included the refurbishment of the lakeside hut and the introduction of a boating lake, coffee van and picnic bench seating on the promenade. An ice cream bar replaced the coffee bar and a new retail arcade opened in May 2019.  A new drapes system had been installed in the Octagon which allowed the area to be screened to enable large and small functions to be undertaken, and new provision in the conservatory was opened in July.  The Pavilion kitchen had replaced the Pavilion café and operated on a self service system and tea rooms would be introduced in the new year.  Information on customer satisfaction levels and usage were also provided.

Generally, members were supportive of the changes introduced and acknowledged quick responses to areas of concerns, such as the conservatory.  Some concern was expressed with the layout of the Pavilion Kitchen and the use of the space by families.  Members were advised that further work was to be done by the completion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20/22

The Committee considered a report which set out the work required to establish clear plans for future investment and management options for the Council’s leisure centres in line with the Physical Activity and Sport Strategy.

The conclusions of a review of the council’s leisure facilities was set out in paragraph 3.5 of the report, and it noted that now, the longer term future management options for the leisure centres needed to be assessed in further detail.  Support was sought for further consultancy work to support this process and scoping meetings had also taken place with Sport England.

Concern was expressed regarding the future of Glossop Pool, to which members were assured that all options needed to be explored with appropriate weight given to cultural heritage issues.

In response to comments around the need for a 3G pitch in the central area, due to the renovation work just undertaken on the sand dressed pitch at Chapel, discussions were on-going around the location of an additional pitch. Comments were also made around the possibility of athletics tracks.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve plans to retrain external consultancy support in order to assist the Council in progressing plans for future investment and management options for the Council’s leisure centres.

The Committee considered an overview of the enforcement of legislation in connection with Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO). 

The Committee were advised that all HMOs were inspected by the Council, and in addition, the University of Derby required all accommodation to meet their standard to be accredited as student accommodation.

 Issues arose in other properties through the actions of some tenants and providing there was sufficient evidence, the Council could take action to close or serve improvement notices on those properties.  A further update report was requested particularly around the problematic properties.

In response to comments regarding the wider Fairfield Road Improvement Plan, the Leader advised that a report would be submitted to a future meeting of Economy & Growth Select Committee.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the report be noted;

2.         That an update report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee in approximately 12 months time.

The Committee were presented with the Action Plan for the Air Quality Management Area on part of the Woodhead Road (A628), Tintwistle.

Members were supportive of the actions set out within the report, but concerns were expressed regarding the use of the road by HGVs with the view expressed that these type of vehicles should be restricted to the major motorway network to enable any improvements around air quality to be made.  It was confirmed that joint working was undertaken with neighbouring authorities.  Reference was also made to discussions on-going around the-opening of old railway lines, which is was commented, if supported would be a number of years away.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted and the Executive be requested to note the above comments.

The Committee considered the outcome of the assessment of the air quality along part of the A57 in Dinting Vale.

In response to a query regarding why only part of the A57 corridor was to be included in the Order, Members were advised that areas where young children or vulnerable adults were recommended to be established in the first instance, and monitoring could be extended to other specific areas of concern.

It was requested that an update report be submitted to the meeting of the Committee in June 2020.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to make an Order under Section 83 of the Environment Act 1995 declaring an Air Quality Management area in the form attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

The Committee considered the Food Safety Service Plan for 2019/2020 which was reviewed on a yearly basis.

It was noted that High Peak was in the top 10 of all food safety delivered and maintained for the last 5 years.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve the food safety service plan attached at Appendix A to the report.

It was requested that a report around Air Quality Management be submitted to the Committee in June 2020, and an update around HMOs be presented within a 12 month period.

RESOLVED:

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