Minutes for Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) Committee - about to be renamed Local Services Scrutiny Committee meeting, May 27 2010, 7.00PM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"> <div class="mgLinks"> <ul class="mgActionList"> <li><a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgMeetingAttendance.aspx?ID=6391" class="external" title="Link to attendance details for the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) CommitteeThursday, 27th May, 2010 7.00 pm">Attendance Details</a></li> <li> <a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6391&T=0" class="external" title="Link to agenda frontsheet pdf file">Agenda Frontsheet</a> PDF 136 KB </li> <li> <a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6391&T=10" class="external" title="Link to agenda reports document pack pdf file">Agenda reports pack</a> PDF 3 MB </li> <li> <a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgChooseMDocPack.aspx?ID=6391" class="external" title="Link to printed minutes">Printed minutes</a> PDF 2 MB </li> </ul> </div> <div class="mgContent"> Venue: District Council Offices, St Peter's Street, St Albans AL1 3JE Contact: Michelle Bennett, Democratic ServicesÂ Items No. Item <a name="AI6219"></a>1. Replacement Members <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> To note any replacements made in accordance with the notification procedure. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> Councillor Witherick replaced Councillor Lusby and Councillor Read replaced Councillor Brewster, for this meeting only, in accordance with the notification procedure. </div> </div> <a name="AI6760"></a>2. Elect Vice Chair Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> RESOLVED Â That Councillor Harrison acts as Vice Chair for this meeting only. </div> </div> <a name="AI6220"></a>3. Disclosures of Interest Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> Councillor Burton declared a personal prejudicial interest in the called-in item for discussion on the Maltings Arts Theatre (Minute 8), as a Member of Cabinet present for its 12 April 2010 meeting in which the Cabinet decision on this item was made.Â Councillor Burton left the meeting before this item was debated. </div> </div> <a name="AI6223"></a>4. <a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6935" class="external" title="Link to document 'Minutes' pdf file">Minutes</a> PDF 114 KB <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> To confirm the Minutes of Meeting No 9 held on 22 April 2010 (copy attached). </div> </div> Additional documents: <ul class="mgBulletList"> <li>Restricted enclosure<a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgReasonsRestricted.aspx?ID=6937&OID=6223&OT=A&RPID=5200&BM=AI6223" class="external" title="Link to reasons restricted for document 4./2"> View the reasons why document 4./2 is restricted</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6957" class="external" title="Link to document 'Blank page' pdf file">Blank page, item 4.</a> PDF 9 KB </li> <li>Restricted enclosure<a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgReasonsRestricted.aspx?ID=6936&OID=6223&OT=A&RPID=5200&BM=AI6223" class="external" title="Link to reasons restricted for document 4./4"> View the reasons why document 4./4 is restricted</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6938" class="external" title="Link to document 'Westminster Lodge Q&A' pdf file">Westminster Lodge Q&A, item 4.</a> PDF 201 KB </li> <li> <a href="http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6939" class="external" title="Link to document 'OSC Public Services Presentation on Museums Service' pdf file">OSC Public Services Presentation on Museums Service, item 4.</a> PDF 3 MB </li> </ul> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> The Minutes of Meeting No.9 held on 22 April 2010 were confirmed with the exception of: Â (i) </div> </div> 2010-07-08T21:59:10+01:00

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Minutes

31053 <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"> Attendance Details Agenda Frontsheet PDF 136 KB Agenda reports pack PDF 3 MB Printed minutes PDF 2 MB Venue: District Council Offices, St Peter's Street, St Albans AL1 3JE Contact: Michelle Bennett, Democratic ServicesÂ Items No. Item 1. Replacement Members To note any replacements made in accordance with the notification procedure. Minutes: Councillor Witherick replaced Counci...

<div class="mgLinks"> <ul class="mgActionList"> <li><a href="mgMeetingAttendance.aspx?ID=6391" title="Link to attendance details for the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) CommitteeThursday, 27th May, 2010 7.00 pm">Attendance Details</a></li> <li><a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6391&T=0" title="Link to agenda frontsheet pdf file">Agenda Frontsheet</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" alt="pdf icon" /> PDF 136 KB </li> <li><a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6391&T=10" title="Link to agenda reports document pack pdf file">Agenda reports pack</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" alt="pdf icon" /> PDF 3 MB </li> <li><a href="mgChooseMDocPack.aspx?ID=6391" title="Link to printed minutes">Printed minutes</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" alt="pdf icon" /> PDF 2 MB </li> </ul> </div><div class="mgContent"> Venue: District Council Offices, St Peter's Street, St Albans AL1 3JE Contact: Michelle Bennett, Democratic Services  <table class="mgItemTable" id="mgItemTable" summary="Table of agenda items"> <caption class="mgSectionTitle">Items</caption> <tr> <th scope="col" abbr="No">No.</th> <th scope="col" abbr="Item">Item</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6219"></a>1.</td> <td> Replacement Members <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> To note any replacements made in accordance with the notification procedure. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> Councillor Witherick replaced Councillor Lusby and Councillor Read replaced Councillor Brewster, for this meeting only, in accordance with the notification procedure. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6760"></a>2.</td> <td> Elect Vice Chair Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> RESOLVED   That Councillor Harrison acts as Vice Chair for this meeting only. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6220"></a>3.</td> <td> Disclosures of Interest Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> Councillor Burton declared a personal prejudicial interest in the called-in item for discussion on the Maltings Arts Theatre (Minute 8), as a Member of Cabinet present for its 12 April 2010 meeting in which the Cabinet decision on this item was made.  Councillor Burton left the meeting before this item was debated. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6223"></a>4.</td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6935" title="Link to document 'Minutes' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Minutes</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 114 KB <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> To confirm the Minutes of Meeting No 9 held on 22 April 2010 (copy attached). </div> </div> Additional documents: <ul class="mgBulletList"> <li>Restricted enclosure<a href="mgReasonsRestricted.aspx?ID=6937&OID=6223&OT=A&RPID=5200&BM=AI6223" " title="Link to reasons restricted for document 4./2"> View the reasons why document 4./2 is restricted</li>  <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6957" title="Link to document 'Blank page' pdf file">Blank page, item 4.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 9 KB </li> <li>Restricted enclosure<a href="mgReasonsRestricted.aspx?ID=6936&OID=6223&OT=A&RPID=5200&BM=AI6223" " title="Link to reasons restricted for document 4./4"> View the reasons why document 4./4 is restricted</li>  <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6938" title="Link to document 'Westminster Lodge Q&A' pdf file">Westminster Lodge Q&A, item 4.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 201 KB </li> <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6939" title="Link to document 'OSC Public Services Presentation on Museums Service' pdf file">OSC Public Services Presentation on Museums Service, item 4.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 3 MB </li> </ul> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> The Minutes of Meeting No.9 held on 22 April 2010 were confirmed with the exception of:   (i)  Appendix 2 Westminster Lodge Residents Questions and Answers which, while requested to be attached to the minutes by the previous Chairman, was not one of the documents that had been discussed at the previous Committee.   NOTE: two additional documents are now attached:   <ul style="qmargin-top:0cm"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops: list 36.0pt"> Appendix 3 Confidential briefing note to chairman and members of Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) Committee on Westminster Lodge Questions from the public. This document contains both Part I and Part II information and was circulated to members in advance of the 22 April 2010 meeting. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list 36.0pt">Appendix 4 Supplementary Information – Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) Committee – Thursday 22nd April 2010 Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre – Questions from the Public. This document was requested by the Chairman in advance of the meeting and was not circulated to Committee members. It is marked confidential but does not contain Part II information.</li> </ul>   and subject to the following correction:   (ii)  Page 8, Minute 11, Maltings Arts Theatre - the lease of the Theatre ran to 2106 and not 2016. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6224"></a>5.</td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6940" title="Link to document 'Action Tracker' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Action Tracker</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 85 KB <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> To track the progress on actions from previous meetings. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> (i)  Archaeology at Westminster Lodge - 16 March 2010, Minute 5 (i) ‘Members requested more information on the further work due on trench 11’   The Head of Culture and Community Development agreed to provide a response to the Committee.   (ii)  Winter Arrangements for the Refuse, Recycling and Street Cleaning Services 16 March 2010, Minute 9   Action:The Head of Environment and Regulatory Services agreed to circulate the priority pavements salting route list which comes from Hertfordshire County Council and the reduced salting routes, as Members were concerned that some of the reduced salting routes should be priority routes. Officer Response: Copies of the maps will be circulated by e-mail to members as soon as electronic copies have been obtained from Hertfordshire Highways.    Members requested hardcopies of the above and to ensure that they have the opportunity to discuss this before the summer break. NOTE: Email and hard copies have now been received and circulated.   (iii)  Winter Arrangements for the Refuse, Recycling and Street Cleaning Services, 16 March 2010, Minute 9   Action: Members requested that the Refuse Collection Working Party considered the balance of pros and cons of the proposal to pick up all refuse and recycling and put them to landfill as an emergency response in times of prolonged severe weather. Officer response: This is an agenda item for the RCWP meeting on the 12th April 2010.  Further discussions to be held by RCWP at their next meeting in May.   Cllr Pia reported that this had not happened. The Head of Environmental and Regulatory services to ensure that there is a proper discussion at the next meeting and provide an update on this on the action tracker.   (iv)   Cultural Services and Museums Strategy  22 April 2010, Minute 10   Action: The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage outlined his intention to consult with all Council Members and Museums staff to develop a plan of what the Museums Service should be.  This will be undertaken through a survey and a work shop event.  Based on its findings, a Business Plan of the next 5 years of the Museums Service would be developed and presented to this Committee at its meeting of 30 September 2010.  The Head of Culture and Community Development explained that a number of people from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) are leaving which makes it difficult to organise a workshop event.  Members expressed a preference that an independent facilitator be involved in this event rather than trying to do this in-house.    (v)   Cultural Services and Museums Strategy  22April 2010   The Chairman mentioned that he would like Councillor Bell’s suggestion from the discussion of the above item at the previous meeting, to be considered.  This was a suggestion to promote the Museums Service by putting information about it on the back of till receipts and car parking tickets. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6455"></a>6.</td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6952" title="Link to document 'Reform of Council Housing Finance' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Reform of Council Housing Finance</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 78 KB Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> The Head of Housing provided a presentation (copy of presentation is attached, Appendix 5).  which advised Members of the key issues in the previous Government's Consultation Paper - "Council Housing: A Real Future" published in March 2010.  The Head of Housing explained that the consultation paper represents a radical and fundamental reform of how Council housing should be financed in the future.  There are significant issues to consider in formulating a response to the consultation paper.    In response to a question from the Chairman on how could all Council members best contribute to the consultation, the Head of Housing stated that they were welcome to attend any of the forthcoming consultation with tenants meetings.  These are the Tenants Forum and drop in sessions to be held at the Council Offices on 9 June 2010 for tenants at which there will be a presentation by the Head of Housing and a consultation with leaseholders at the Leaseholder Open Day on 19 June 2010.  A report on the outcome of consultation with tenants and leaseholders will be available at the special Cabinet meeting on 29 June 2010.    RESOLVED   (i)  Members noted the report. (ii)  The Committee requested that the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services considers how they wish to involve all Council Members in the formulation of the Council’s response. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6456"></a>7.</td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6956" title="Link to document 'Heating Charges for Tenants' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Heating Charges for Tenants</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 56 KB Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> The Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer presented a report which provided additional information on the value for money of energy prices for housing tenants, following the discussion at this Committee in April 2010.  This committee had received a report in April 2010 on the heating charges for housing tenants.  The report showed a significant increase in the charges.  The committee had requested a further report to show:   a)  how and by how much the Central Buying Consortium saves us money b)  how the current level of charges compares to a standard domestic tariff   RESOLVED     The committee noted the evidence that tenants sites with communal boilers were receiving better energy rates through the Central Buying Consortium Contracts than could be obtained on a standard British Gas tariff available to domestic customers. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6454"></a>8.</td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6943" title="Link to document 'Maltings Arts Theatre' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Maltings Arts Theatre</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 34 KB Additional documents: <ul class="mgBulletList"> <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6944" title="Link to document '1a Maltings Draft Cabinet Minute' pdf file">1a Maltings Draft Cabinet Minute, item 8.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 53 KB </li> <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6945" title="Link to document 'Maltings Call In' pdf file">Maltings Call In, item 8.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 159 KB </li> <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6946" title="Link to document '2.Maltings Report to 13April 10 Cabinet 290310(8)' pdf file">2.Maltings Report to 13April 10 Cabinet 290310(8), item 8.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 116 KB </li> <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6947" title="Link to document '3. St Albans Maltings Report Exec Summary' pdf file">3. St Albans Maltings Report Exec Summary, item 8.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 41 KB </li> <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6958" title="Link to document 'Blank page' pdf file">Blank page, item 8.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 9 KB </li> <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6948" title="Link to document 'ORDEROFDEBATEnote' pdf file">ORDEROFDEBATEnote, item 8.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 47 KB </li> </ul> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> The above item was considered by Cabinet on 12 April 2010.  Cabinet’s decision was called in for scrutiny by the Chairman of this Committee at the time, Councillor Read.  Cabinet’s decision, copies of the call-in form and of the report to Cabinet 12 April were issued with the Agenda for this meeting.   The Chairman provided an outline of the concerns that would need to be addressed.  These were:   -  The concerns of the St Albans Civic Society -  Public concern -  Clarity over what is a ‘live performance’ -  The extent to which live performance might crowd out theatrical performance -  Size of venue and flexibility of seating in terms of adding more seating or alternate uses -  Apparent commercial clash between a cinema ran by the Council and one by Alpha/Odeon with £1millon of residents’ money -  If the commercial assumptions are over optimistic what are the other options of use   The Chairman stated that he wished the outcome of the Committee’s discussion to be to add to the list of issues requested to be covered by Cabinet in the next Cabinet report.   Interim Project Consultant, Clive Miller reported that he had been involved with this project since March 2010.  The Maltings Arts Theatre faced challenges and needed a subsidy of £150k from the Council, per annum, to continue with its current programme of activities (equivalent to a subsidy of approximately £9 per customer).  This subsidy had been set at £100k this year and it was intended that this would reduce to £50k next year and continue to reduce so that it could be self sustainable.   At the discretion of the Chairman, Marion Hammant of St Albans Civic Society, was permitted to speak for 15 minutes.  The points she made included the following: <ul style="qmargin-top:0cm"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list 36.0pt">This project is premature, the Maltings Arts Theatre at present is a thriving and successful business</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list 36.0pt">The present administration has not been successful in providing a cinema</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list 36.0pt">The Maltings is a fantastic flexible space used for the Kubrick season, children’s arts and cinema classes, pilates, theatre club and it is used as a meeting space, so what a pity, at this stage to implement a scheme to stop this.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list 36.0pt">The stairs on the way up to the Maltings Arts Theatre needs money to be spent on it to make it feel safe</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list 36.0pt">Why withdraw a facility that provides live interaction.  People are always sitting in front of screens</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list 36.0pt">Maltings ‘cultural hub’ is a phrase often used at Council meetings and suggests lots of diverse activity not films five times a week.  What does ‘cultural hub’ in this context mean? </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list 36.0pt">The proposals for the Maltings Arts Theatre relies heavily on a pool of volunteers.  At the Odeon people are paid so anyone wishing to gain experience would apply to work at the Odeon and get paid for this. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list 36.0pt">The proposals for the Maltings involves the purchase of expensive equipment to beam in live performances but in the foyer it is proposed that there will be hotdogs and popcorn for sale.  Apparent conflict in the proposals which requires further consideration.</li> </ul>   In response to a question from a Member clarifying whether or not the Civic Society wish for the current administration to do something about cinema or are the Civic Society defending the Maltings because it is the Maltings, Marion Hammant stated that the Civic Society wished for a purpose built cinema and not a changing of something into a cinema, they wish for a variety of provision in the City Centre. If it was decided that St Albans should have a Cinema it would not be in a corner up a poorly lit stairs.   The Committee then put questions to the Interim Project Consultant.  In response to questions on whether there had been consultation with the public on the proposals the Interim Project Consultant stated that this would happen when the project reaches the point where there are some financially viable proposals and as these come forward there will be consultation.  Members requested that there be consultation with the public and existing service users at an early stage before decisions are made.  A Member suggested putting a link on to the Council’s website inviting people to provide feedback.   In response to questions from Members on the subsidy figures for the Maltings Arts Theatre the Interim Project Consultant clarified that the subsidy had been £150k last year, £100k this year and next year it would be £65k and that these figures represent the approved budgets of the Council.  In response to a question from the Chairman on whether the reduction in the subsidy over the next few years would be possible if the programme of events at the Maltings remained as it is, the Interim Project Consultant stated that it would not be possible and that it had to change.   Members voiced concern that it appeared that decisions were being taken and a Business Plan was then being written to fit the decisions that had been made.  Members requested a range of options and costings of the various uses.  The Interim Project Consultant responded that put simply, the options are to do something or do nothing.  The do something category includes: improving signage, on line ticketing and marketing, improved seating, air conditioning and air handling, improve layout of the foyer area, structural changes to the toilets, improvements on the stairs.  This would need to include digital film and a digital lounge.  Costing these options comes to £750k.  The Council has a borrowing limit of £500k.  An improvement of digital sound would not compromise the ability to put on live performance.  The Ron Inglis feasibility study was commissioned by the Council to explore how best to get more customers going to the Maltings, it was never intended to compete with the Alpha/Odeon.  The Maltings target market is minority groups.  There are not many live performance at the Maltings at the moment, takings last week were £73.  The overheads are £20k Business Rates, £20k Management Budget, £90k Salaries Budget; with these overheads the Council has to subsidise it.  A Member made the point that there did not appear to be much promotion or marketing of the existing Maltings events.   The Head of Culture and Community Development explained that the proposal is to split hires and that Art Theatre activities have reduced due to the recession, countrywide.  There has been marketing but a bigger push on marketing would require a bigger marketing budget.   A Member requested examples of other Arts Theatres that currently successfully operate as is proposed.  The Head of Culture and Community Development gave Croyden as an example and offered to provide further information in the Autumn Cabinet report.    A Member wanted further information on how the live theatrical performances could run simultaneously with digital films events.  The Interim Project Consultant stated that it was possible as it is proposed that it would have sound proof wall insulation.  There was further discussion in Part II of the meeting.   RESOLVED   The Committee requested that the Cabinet report being prepared for the autumn should also include:   ·  analysis of the advantages and drawbacks of the Maltings site ·  a range of costed options for the continuing future of the Maltings as a theatre ·  a clear analysis of the impact of the options on live theatre ·  information on the flexibility of space under current arrangements compared to the proposed options ·  consideration of how to maximise available seating as part of the analysis of different options ·  a description of the fit with District vision ·  clear consideration of the target markets and any possible competition with the future Alpha/Odeon cinema ·  clear explanation of what is meant by “the use of the theatre as a base for a new cultural hub” ·  clarity on the Theatre’s proposed role and programme as referred to in para 7.9 of the April Cabinet report ·  a consultation strategy for the further development of the proposals in advance of the Cabinet report being prepared The Committee also requested that the Portfolio Holder:   ·  carry out limited consultation with the public and existing users in advance of the Cabinet report being prepared ·  consider any ‘quick wins’ which should be taken forward under any future option (e.g. improvements to ticketing, physical improvements to the exterior and access to the Theatre, analysis of good practice at other local theatres) </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6457"></a>9.</td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6950" title="Link to document 'Draft Annual Scrutiny Report 2009/2010' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Draft Annual Scrutiny Report 2009/2010</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 47 KB Additional documents: <ul class="mgBulletList"> <li> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6951" title="Link to document 'Annual Report' pdf file">Annual Report, item 9.</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 280 KB </li> </ul> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> The Scrutiny Support Officer presented a draft report on the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees for the municipal year 2009/2010.    During discussion of the paragraph on the issue of deprivation and allocating some of the actions arising from this matter to other Committees or working groups, Councillor Zia was concerned that actions may be missed or dropped off.  As Councillor Zia is a new member to this Committee and was not present for the previous discussions on this issue it was agreed that the background information on this would be sent to him.  Councillor Witherick suggested that the discussion and decisions on where the actions should be allocated and which actions would be removed, because they are no longer deliverable or because priorities have changed, should also go to the Overview & Scrutiny (Internal Performance) for agreement so that both committees are satisfied that the relevant actions are being followed up.  The Lead Officer reminded the Committee that this is an item for discussion the next meeting of this committee.   During discussion of the draft Annual Scrutiny report Members made the following points:   ·  Members considered that in reporting issues that this committee have scrutinised, there should be a few appropriate quotes rather than a summary of the discussion and the decision made ·  Correction – Reference should be to the Removal of ‘Housing’ Areas of Search from the Local Development Framework i.e. need to add the word housing to the sub heading ·   Under the heading of the ‘Removal of Housing Areas of Search from the Local Development Framework’ there needs to be a clear distinction between the old Head of Planning and the new Head of Planning as it was not the same Head of Planning present at the Committee meetings throughout all of the discussion and debate on this item   It is intended that the points made during this meeting will be added to the draft report for discussion at the next Overview and Scrutiny (Internal Performance) Committee meeting 8 July 2010.  All points will then be incorporated into the final report which will go to Full Council 21 July 2010. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6761"></a>10.</td> <td> Exclusion of the Public Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> RESOLVED   That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the said Act. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6228"></a>11.</td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6941" title="Link to document 'Overview & Scrutiny (Public Services) Forward Plan' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Overview & Scrutiny (Public Services) Forward Plan</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 62 KB Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> (i)  The Chairman considered that the item on the Public Realm scheduled for discussion at the next meeting 30 June 2010, could be moved to 30 September 2010 meeting.  The Head of Planning and Building Control to decide what best fits their timetable, but the Committee would want to discuss this item in advance of it going to Cabinet. (ii)  The Chairman requested that the item on Winter Weather Management Strategy scheduled for discussion at 30 June 2010 meeting be moved to 30 September meeting as the committee would be discussing ‘Winter Arrangements for Refuse, Recycling and Street Cleaning Services’ at the 30 September meeting. (iii)  Items to be added to the Forward Plans are as follows: o  Quality Network Partnership Business Improvement Programme – 26 October 2010 o  Garage Site being closed at Partridge Road Batchwood – a look at the public consultation process and lessons to be learnt. – 26 October 2010 (iv)  Members agreed that the 2 September 2010 meeting be cancelled. (v)   It was agreed that a meeting be arranged for July to discuss Westminster Lodge.  This is intended to provide an opportunity to explore the reasoning behind the Council’s approach to date and some of the concerns being expressed by local residents and community groups.  NOTE: This meeting has been arranged for 19 July 2010   The Chairman stated his intention was that the Committee should cover a main item of priority for discussion at each meeting, along with approximately two smaller items,   With these changes, Members agreed the Overview & Scrutiny (Public Services) Forward Plan. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI6229"></a>12.</td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=6942" title="Link to document 'Executive Forward Plan' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Executive Forward Plan</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 72 KB Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> Members noted the Executive Forward Plan. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"></td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=7252" title="Link to document 'Matters Arising from discussion on Winter Management Review' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Matters Arising from discussion on Winter Management Review</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 53 KB </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"></td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=7253" title="Link to document 'App 2 Westminster Lodge Q&A' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">App 2 Westminster Lodge Q&A</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 201 KB </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"></td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=7254" title="Link to document 'Appendx 3 Part 1' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Appendx 3 Part 1</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 58 KB Additional documents: <ul class="mgBulletList"> <li>Restricted enclosure<a href="mgReasonsRestricted.aspx?ID=7256&OID=6764&OT=A&RPID=5200&BM=AI6764" " title="Link to reasons restricted for document /2"> View the reasons why document /2 is restricted</li>  </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"></td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=7255" title="Link to document 'Appendix 4' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Appendix 4</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 1 MB </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"></td> <td> <a href="mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=7257" title="Link to document 'Appendix 5 Housing Finance' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">Appendix 5 Housing Finance</a> <img src="mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 6 MB </td> </tr> </table> <div class="mgHelpLine"> </div> </div>

Minutes for Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) Committee - about to be renamed Local Services Scrutiny Committee meeting, May 27 2010, 7.00PM

2010-10-27T16:17:58+01:00

http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=134&MId=6391&Ver=4 Minutes for Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) Committee - about to be renamed Local Services Scrutiny Committee meeting, May 27 2010, 7.00PM

http://openlylocal.com/documents/31053-Minutes-for-Overview-and-Scrutiny-Public-Services-Committee-about-to-be-renamed-Local-Services-Scrutiny-Committee-meeting-May-27-2010-7-00PM