Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

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

Inspector David Parker, Sergeant Anna Woodhouse (Glossop Safer Neighbourhoods Team - Glossop, New Mills, Hayfield, Charlesworth and Chisworth) and Sergeant Adam Harrison (Buxton Safer Neighbourhoods Team - Buxton, Chinley, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Whaley Bridge) were in attendance.  Staffing changes and the Safer Neighbourhood Day were outlined.  Area priorities were discussed including anti-social behaviour and begging in Buxton, licensing and drug issues in Chapel-en-le-Frith, off-road bikes in the Hope Valley and anti-social behaviour in Hadfield.

Councillor Hardy raised parking issues in Glossop and Simmondley and mobile phone use while driving. Parking was a problem on Pennine Road, Simmondley and parking enforcement officers had warned drivers but not issued tickets.  There was also a problem by the Wheatsheaf, near Wellgate. The Safer Neighbourhood Team would investigate and Civil Enforcement at Derbyshire County Council would be advised. Parking on Cottage Way, Gamesley was also discussed. Ideally evidence of driving while on the phone was best gathered by the police. Clarification would be sought on whether it was possible to submit evidence via the Derbyshire Police website.

Buxton Retailers Against Crime, education, pressure on the 101 phoneline, updates on facebook and Derbyshire Alert and contacting the safer Neighbourhood Teams were also discussed.

RESOLVED:

1.    That details of Safer Neighbourhood Team contacts and email addresses be circulated to all Councillors.

2.    That the update be received with thanks.

There was an overview of the work of the Single Use Plastic Working Group and consideration was given to the recommendations.  Issues discussed included:

·         Non-recoverable plastics

·         Premises committed to using recycled packaging

·         Active community groups and community champions

·         Recycling facilities now available in Council offices

·         Transition Buxton’s aim for a plastic free Buxton

·         3 awareness campaigns planned

·         Feasibility of developing a certification for local businesses

·         Packaging information already recorded by Food Safety officers

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Executive be recommended to:

•           Approve the adoption of the Single Use Plastics Policy for HPBC thus demonstrating our commitment to this important matter (as provided at Appendix 2 to the report),

•           Support the development of awareness campaigns with partners to encourage employees, residents, schools and businesses to reduce their reliance on single use plastics and to continue to support national campaigns such as Spring Clean events which encourage increased involvement in community litter picks.

•           Determine the feasibility of developing a certification for local businesses who swap packaging and reduce their reliance on single use plastics. The group suggested that it be explored to determine whether the certification could be undertaken via our existing licensing systems or food safety inspections, or be monitored and awarded by local community groups.

2.    That an update on implementation be provided at the Committee meeting July 2020.

Consideration was given to the guidance and legislation associated with the use of inflatables along with potential risk of their use.  Discussion took place on events outside office hours, monitoring, revising the event booking procedure on the website, Health and Safety, liability, advising operators and current absence of licensing requirements.

RESOLVED:

1.    That it be recommended to the Executive that the use of inflatables be banned from use on council land when provided at events run by third parties.

2.    That Parish Councils be advised about the change in policy and an item be included on the agenda for the next Parish Council Forum.

It was reported that High Peak was currently covered by two Orders which make it an offence if a person in charge of a dog at the relevant time does not:

                      i.        remove dog faeces forthwith if the dog defecates;

                     ii.        put and keep a dog on a lead if required to do so by a Council Officer to prevent the dog causing annoyance or disturbance to any other person or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird.

The Orders cease to have effect on 20^th October 2020 and thus need to be extended or replaced if the Council wishes to continue to have the power to take action in respect of dog fouling and nuisance behaviour.

Consideration was given to the replacement Order, support dog exemptions, planned consultation and timescale.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Executive agrees to carry out public consultation on the draft Order appended to the report.

2.    That the Executive subsequently approves the draft Order by Individual Executive Decision unless the responses from the consultation necessitate material changes to the draft Order.

3.    That, in the event of a new order being approved prior to 20^th October 2020, formal notice of discharge of the existing Orders should be published simultaneously with the introduction of the replacement Order.

It was reported that an Arts Forum was being arranged, inviting all relevant groups. A smaller, functional working group representing the whole Borough would then be established to draft a Cultural Heritage and Arts Strategy. All members would be emailed with a list of relevant groups and requesting details of any other High Peak groups. The Arts Strategy would be considered at the June meeting.

At the March meeting there would be items on County Council consultation on Voluntary Sector funding and revised vision and strategy for direct care homes for older people. Environmental enforcement and an update on implementation of Single Use Plastic Working Group recommendations to the July meeting. NHS items would be scheduled in as required.

RESOLVED:

That the Work programme as amended be noted.