Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for this meeting were received from Cllr L Dedman.

To receive information on any changes in the membership of the Committee.

Note – When a member of a Committee is unable to attend a meeting of a Committee or Sub-Committee, the relevant Political Group Leader (or their nominated representative) may, by notice to the Monitoring Officer (or their nominated representative) prior to the meeting, appoint a substitute member from within the same Political Group. The contact details on the front of this agenda should be used for notifications.

Cllr P Hilliard substituted for Cllr L Dedman

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

Cllr T Trent advised for the purpose of transparency, in relation to agenda item 5 – BCP Community Safety Partnership Annual Report 2023, that he was a member of the Police and Crime Panel.

Cllr S Moore and Cllr S Bartlett advised for the purpose of transparency, in relation to agenda item 6 – Consultation on the Draft BCP Local Plan and the draft BCP Charging Schedule that they had been involved in the Local Plan Working Group.

Cllr M Tarling advised for the purpose of transparency, in relation to agenda item 6 – Consultation on the Draft BCP Local Plan and the draft BCP Charging Schedule, that as a Town Councillor they had been involved in the Christchurch Planning Working Group.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of public questions is midday 3 clear working days before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a statement is midday the working day before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.

There were none received on this occasion.

This paper sets out elements of development and delivery by the BCP Community Safety Partnership (CSP), ‘Safer BCP’ and its constituent agencies. It provides Members with an update since the last report to Overview and Scrutiny Panel in December 2022.

The Local Government Act 2000 includes crime and disorder scrutiny as one of the functions the council must ensure its scrutiny arrangements cover. Sections 19 and 20 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and related regulations require the Council to have a committee with the functions of reviewing and scrutinising decisions and actions in respect of the discharge of crime and disorder functions by “responsible authorities”. 

The specifics of the duty are set out in the Police and Justice Act 2006, which also allows members to refer any “local crime and disorder matter” raised with them by anyone living or working in their area, to the Crime and Disorder Committee. The Board designated as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee must meet at least once every 12 month period to conduct the functions.

Guidance issued concerning how this role should be conducted include that:

•          the role should be one of a critical friend, providing constructive challenge at a strategic level.

•          the focus should be on the entire partnership and if issues arise that relate specifically to a particular partner agency, it may be more appropriate to refer such issues to the governing bodies of that organisation.

•          the scrutiny of partners should be “in so far as their activities relate to the partnership itself.”

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Chair of the Community Safety Partnership presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The Board was informed that the paper provided Members with an update since the last report to Overview and Scrutiny Panel in December 2022. The Local Government Act 2000 includes crime and disorder scrutiny as one of the functions the council must ensure its scrutiny arrangements cover. Sections 19 and 20 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and related regulations require the Council to have a committee with the functions of reviewing and scrutinising decisions and actions in respect of the discharge of crime and disorder functions by “responsible authorities”. The specifics of the duty are set out in the Police and Justice Act 2006, which also allows members to refer any “local crime and disorder matter” raised with them by anyone living or working in their area, to the Crime and Disorder Committee.  The Board welcomed the report and raised a number of issues during the discussion of this item including:

·     Reductions in CCTV monitoring. It was hoped to minimise reductions in CCTV monitoring but at present there would be a reduction in monitoring times in order to achieve budget savings.

·     CSAS officers – CSAS Officers would be prioritised in the town centre area. The DfT funding would allow CSAS officers to also be positioned in key transport locations. In response to a question regarding the impact of potential cuts in CSAS officers from a police perspective, the Board was informed that the Police were aware that there was a risk that anti-social behaviour may rise in these areas. It was suggested that other bodies should be approached for additional CSAS funding before any reductions were made.

·     Violence against women and girls – violent and sexual offences were shown within the same category it was asked if it was possible to separate these to provide better information. It was acknowledged that this could probably be done to make things more clear. There may be an App available to allow people to indicate when they feel unsafe. There was further work needed on this to ensure that the data from this would be available.

·     Sharing of the outcomes from the various different groups. There was a risk that there could be duplication between different bodies and there was currently a mapping exercise underway to look at how and where issues were being covered. From this there would be a reporting mechanism which would then feed up through the CSP.

·     Communications – This was being assessed and it was acknowledged that this could be improved as there was some excellent work going on which may not always be communicated well.

·     It was acknowledged that reporting of crime was an issue, both because some felt that there was no point in reporting as action wouldn’t be taken but also some  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Draft BCP Local Plan sets out a vision, objectives and spatial strategy to protect and enhance the environment whilst addressing the needs for new homes, jobs and infrastructure until 2039. A range of policies and site allocations are included which will inform planning decisions once the BCP Local Plan is adopted.

The Draft Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule sets out the charge per square metre new development must pay to fund supporting infrastructure.

A six-week consultation is required on both documents before all feedback and evidence is submitted to the Secretary of State for examination.

The Cabinet Support Member for Strategic Plan and Local Plan Delivery presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B’ to these minutes in the Minute Book. The Board was advised that the Draft BCP Local Plan set out a vision, objectives and spatial strategy to protect and enhance the environment whilst addressing the needs for new homes, jobs and infrastructure until 2039. A range of policies and site allocations were included which would inform planning decisions once the BCP Local Plan is adopted. The Draft Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule set out the charge per square metre new development must pay to fund supporting infrastructure. A six-week consultation was required on both documents before all feedback and evidence would be submitted to the Secretary of State for examination.  The Board had invited local developer representative to provide their perspective on the local plan and act as subject expert witnesses on some of the issues raised.

The Board discussed the Draft Local Plan extensively and raised a number of issues during discussions including:

·       Requirements for Zero Carbon Homes - Other local authorities had introduced this, the Committee wanted to know why it wasn’t possible in BCP. Consultants’ advice was that the effect of this would be around 1-2 percent of a value of a home and this would meet challenge from public examination and from the inspector. It was noted most developers were interested in providing carbon neutral homes but the infrastructure was not in place yet to fully meet this. Furthermore, it was noted that this may come in with changes to building regulations. It was suggested that there should be an amendment to require new homes to be zero carbon ready for 2025. Build costs in the area were high and most sites for development were brownfield. Building on greenfield sites made zero carbo much more feasible. Councillors felt that the plan was not ambitious enough in terms of declared climate emergency and would like to see a specific target introduced.

A move was made but not passed that Policy C2 of the Local Plan be amended to indicated that all new residential development be zero carbon. Definition of zero carbon to be added as a note.

Voting: 5 in favour: 6 against (1 abstention)

·       Officers were asked to consider the possibility of a specific target regarding this if possible.

·       Hyperlinks – These were needed throughout the document, there were none in part 2.

·       Maps – Flooding zones were not clearly indicated on the maps and also a key was referred to but not included.

·       Offshore wind – In response to a question it was confirmed that this couldn’t be included within the local plan.

·       Green Infrastructure – Whether the Plan could include improving facilities for swimming and designating rivers as bathing spaces which would help with addressing sewage issues. It was noted that this wouldn’t normally be included within the local plan.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

The Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Board is asked to consider and identify work priorities for publication in a Forward Plan.

The Chair presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Board considered its current Forward Plan. The Chairman reminded the Board that there was a work programming workshop the following week.  A concern was raised that the item on Wessex Fields should be moved forward. The Chair advised that this could be discussed along with other issues during work programming.