Agenda and minutes

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2018 were signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

The Chair to note public address requests.

The public can speak on any agenda item for a maximum of three minutes per speaker per item.  You are not required to register your intention to speak in advance but should arrive at the meeting a few minutes early, complete a Public Address Protocol and notify the Scrutiny Officer of your intention to speak.

Brian Hoare, individual, addressed the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on agenda item 6.

There were none.

The Committee to receive a briefing around enforcement of adults riding bicycles on pavements and the parking of cars on pavements

Sergeant Rod Williams, Northants Police, provided the Committee with an update regarding enforcement issues around adults riding bicycles of pavements.

Salient points:

·         People cycling on the pavement can incur a fine of £50.

·         There are two issues  - irresponsible cycling such as those doing stunts on their bikes and responsible cyclist, ringing their bells and riding sensibly

·         The Police has lots of key priorities to deal with mainly around cuckooing and anti social behaviour

·         A six week operation took place around cycling on pavements; 151 people were given advise and 7 received a  Fixed Penalty Notice

·         NBC Wardens also have the power to enforce , work is currently underway regarding giving the Officers who give out litter fines the powers to also to carryout enforcement regarding cycling on pavements

·         The Committee heard that there is confusion regarding the layout by the market whereby it indicates there is a cycle lane and could give the impression that cyclists can ride along Abington Street

The Committee asked questions, made comment and heard

·         The Committee commented that there is a large sign in situ that states “No cycling” along Abington Street

·         Repeat offenders are those who would receive a Fixed Penalty Notice

·         In response to a question, Sargeant Williams commented that the Police have focussed on the St Crispin’s area regarding cycling on pavements.  There is also the need to  explore how Northampton could become more cycle friendly.

·         The Chair suggested that it would be good for Overview and Scrutiny to undertake a Review around the enforcement of illegal cycling on its Work Programme next year

·         The Government has issued a consultation paper around cycling.

·         In response to a query regarding getting messages to the students at the University, Sergeant Williams advised that social media is a very useful tool for getting messages out.  A global email would also be sent to students regarding cycling laws.

Sergeant Rod Williams, Northants Police, was thanked for providing an informative address.

AGREED:                  The updated was noted.

The Committee to receive a briefing around the bus station, including the traffic model.

Brian Hoare, local resident, addressed the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.   He acknowledged the value that Scrutiny can add, such as pre-decision scrutiny and scrutiny reviews but queried the value of the briefing note as in his opinion it did not identify the issues or concerns to be addressed.  He queried why the schemes listed in the briefing note did not contain details and queried how this briefing would add value.

Mr Hoare was thanked for his address.

Derrick Simpson, Town Centre Manager, presented his briefing note to the Committee, highlighting the salient points:

·         The report had been produced in response to a request for information around the impact of the bus station on the town centre, the Traffic Modelling Study had been issued to the Chair. The document was very comprehensive containing over 270 pages. 

·         As a result of the Traffic Modelling Study the bus station opened in March 2014.  There had been a few issues on the day of it opening but this in part was due to a traffic incident which lead to inner ring road network in the town to coming to a halt. 

·         There had been some issues with pedestrians walking across Sheep Street & Bradshaw Street and not using the zebra crossings and therefore additional barriers were installed to improve safety. The traffic light sequence was monitored and altered to assist traffic flows.

·         Generally, throughout the day the buses flow well, issues only arise when the artillery ring roads are blocked through accidents or planned works as these then impact on the area around the bus station.

·         On average 40-60 vehicles use the Drapery illegally every hour during the daytime.  NCC have undertaken studies and are aware of the issues and are seeking permission to install ANPR enforcement cameras. This will reduce the number of unauthorised vehicles travelling along the Drapery and will improve traffic flows.

·         NCC and NBC are working on plans to make Bradshaw Street one way again to improve traffic flows.

The Committee asked questions, made comment and heard:

·         The Chair confirmed that this report had been requested at the meeting of the Committee on 30 April 2018 as the issue had been discussed at the Work Programming event.

·         The new bus station provides a much better offer to bus users and bus drivers.  The bus station is well maintained, clean, improved safety with CCTV and security with good quality amenities. In comparison with the old Greyfriars bus station graffiti levels have fallen by 99%; complaints are rare and security issues are minimal.

·         Previously, there was a major issue with pedestrians crossing Lady’s Lane and Greyfriars Lane to enter the bus station as they wished to avoid the underground passageways.  At its peak there were around 150 pedestrians hourly crossing the roads, in the new bus station this number has now reduce to a handful each hour.

·         There are around 8 million bus users annually using the bus station and interchange.

·         In response to a query regarding park and ride over the Christmas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Councillor King, Chair of the CSP, presented the report to the Committee; highlighting the salient points.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard.

·         In response to a query, it was noted that the Taxi Marshalling initiative will commence on Friday 28 September 2018

·         During the six week summer holidays period, six partnership days had taken place to tackle anti social behaviour, street drinking and begging in the town centre; there had been 11 arrests and 5 CPNs issued

·         In response to a query, Councillor King advised that repeat offenders are issued with a CPN and if they don’t comply they are arrested

·         The aim is for there to be a Town Centre Police Officer – NBC are working with the Police regarding the SLA.

·         It was queried whether the University would be a “dry campus”, details would be provided to the Committee.

Councillor King was thanked for providing the comprehensive update to the Committee:

AGREED:  That a further update is provided to the Committee at its meeting on 29 April 2019.

The Committee discussed the Performance Monitoring Report June 2018.

It was suggested that it would be useful for the Committee to ask Scrutiny Panel 2 (Homelessness and Rough Sleepers) to undertake performance management scrutiny on

HML01 and HML07         

And report back to a future meeting of this Committee.

The Committee would keep a watching eye on the KPIs on waste management and would consider undertaking performance management on this KPI in a few months time.

AGREED:      That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee  asks Scrutiny Panel 2 (Homelessness and Rough Sleepers) to undertake performance management scrutiny on the KPIs detailed above and to report back to a future meeting.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to receive a progress report from the three Scrutiny Panels.

Councillor Smith, Deputy Chair, Scrutiny Panel 1, presented the briefing note detailing the work of the Scrutiny Panel so far.

AGREED:      That the information is noted.

Councillor Walker, Chair, Scrutiny Panel 2, presented the briefing note detailing the work of the Scrutiny Panel so far.

AGREED:      That the information is noted.

Councillor Sargeant, Chair, Scrutiny Panel 3, presented the briefing note detailing the work of the Scrutiny Panel so far.

AGREED:      That the information is noted.

Councillor Lane, member of Scrutiny Panel 4, presented the scope for approval.

AGREED:      That the scope of the Review for Scrutiny Panel 4 is approved.

The Committee to receive a progress report from the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Evaluation of O&S Reports Working Group.

Councillor Lane, Chair, Scrutiny Panel 4, presented the scope for approval.

AGREED:      That the scope of the Review for Scrutiny Panel 4 is approved.

Councillor Cathrine Russell to provide an update on the work of NCC’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

The update from Councillor Russell, NBC's representative to NCC's Health and  Social Care  Scrutiny Committee was noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider any potential issues for future pre decision scrutiny.

There were none.

There were none.