Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Ian Jelley and King Lawal.

No declarations were received.

RESOLVED that: The Service Delivery, Performance and Customers Executive Advisory Panel agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th May 2022 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

The panel received a report that detailed the intention to ask Executive, at its 14^th July 2022 meeting, to consider and approve the extension of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering the town centre of Kettering. The panel was asked to consider the report and associated draft order and provide comments in that regard.

Cllr Anne Lee addressed the panel in relation to this item, stating that while she was in favour of the PSPO being renewed, elements relating to a prohibition on the use of skateboards and provision for the removal of persons under the age of 18 from the town centre were discriminatory and should be removed from the revised order. Cllr Lee noted that the vast majority of respondents to the consultation were also against the skateboarding ban and that Kettering Town Council had unanimously voted that this element should be removed from the final approved order.

The meeting heard that the current PSPO was due to expire on 22^nd July 2022 having initially been put in place in July 2016 by the former Kettering Borough Council and subsequently extended in 2019. The prohibitions that formed the PSPO were aimed at tackling various anti-social behaviours, all of which are deemed to have a detrimental effect on the local community.

Initial consultation with Kettering Town Council, Northamptonshire Police and the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPF&CC) saw support for the extension of the PSPO from all parties. However, all three organisations indicated that they felt the skateboarding prohibition was unduly restrictive. Furthermore, the OPF&CC raised concerns about the prohibition concerning ‘Under 18s staying in the specified area after being requested to leave by an authorised officer’. Their view was that this should be amended to cover every one of any age as the specified area was a significant part of the Night-Time Economy and might also be seen as too restrictive and discriminatory towards a certain age group.

The public consultation undertaken as part of the renewal process had recently closed with a significant number of responses received, with a roughly 50/50 split as to extending the PSPO with a similar number in favour of removing the prohibition in relation to skateboarding. In addition, strong views had been received regarding perceived discrimination against certain societal groups.

It was noted that at the point the PSPO had been introduced there had been issues with both anti-social skateboarding and activities involving underage individuals associated with the night-time economy in Kettering which, over the intervening years, had significantly reduced.

Members discussed the current prohibitions at length and noted that those relating to skateboarding and the removal of under 18’s from the town centre upon request could be considered discriminatory. It was further noted that the Council had a duty to protect its heritage assets in the town centre from damage as a result of the misuse of skateboards.

It was therefore

RESOLVED: That the Service Delivery, Performance and Customers Executive Advisory  ...  view the full minutes text for item SDPC/70

Members of both the Service Delivery, Performance and Customers and Climate Change, Environment and Growth Executive Advisory Panels received a presentation that detailed the results of the public survey undertaken between March 2022 and April 2022 in relation to the future service provision of garden waste in North Northamptonshire. It was noted that a decision on future service arrangements was due to be considered by Executive at its meeting on 14^th July 2022.

The meeting heard that as a result of previous arrangements implemented by the former local authorities, the current garden waste service differed across North Northamptonshire. The Executive was therefore seeking to harmonise the service so that all residents received the same level of service, and the service was funded in the same way. The current services provided in each area were outlined as below:

The panel noted that a consultation relating to future service provision had been heavily promoted and involved elected members, town and parish councils, partner organisations and local businesses. In addition, views had been sought from the Council’s resident’s panel and from those on the council’s consultation register. The Communications Team had also been in contact with 38 local newsrooms, reporters and news sites as well as publicising the consultation via the Council’s website and social media channels.

It was heard that approximately 9600 responses had been received, with 9447 online questionnaire responses received and 140 written responses. Comments made had been mirrored by both online and physical submissions.

The meeting considered that whilst the consultation results were informative, they did not necessarily represent the views of all residents because the vast majority (99.5%) of respondents had a garden. If more residents without a garden had responded, the panel believed the responses to the questions regarding how the service should be funded may have been different.

The meeting also noted that 73% of respondents wished for a harmonised green waste service, with 79% considering that wider taxation from all residents should bear the cost of the service.

Data was provided in relation to the following aspects of a garden waste service:

·         Propensity to subscribe to a subscription-based collection service

·         Propensity to subscribe based on specific service price brackets

·         Demand for additional green waste bins

·         Payment methods

·         Current and planned green waste disposal methods

·         Collection periods

·         Any additional comments

A high proportion of respondents raised concerns regarding additional fly-tipping of green waste and potential misuse of black bins should any subscription service be introduced for all North Northamptonshire residents. In addition, concerns were raised regarding affordability and the belief that the service should already be covered as part of existing Council Tax payments.

Finally, the panel received details regarding the tonnage of garden waste currently collected, noting a high yield in the first half of the year, with a drop off from  ...  view the full minutes text for item SDPC/71

Members received the Executive Forward Plan and the work programme for the panel and noted upcoming items for both, including an item for the next meeting in relation to Online Ceremony Bookings.