Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2020

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2020 were signed as a correct record.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda, in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

None declared

To answer questions from members of the public – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received

To hear representations from members of the public on items which appear on the agenda – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received

To receive presentations from officers including,

1.  Heritage Action Zone

2.  Future High Streets Fund

3.  Governance

The Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) Officer began by advising members that the Heritage Action Zone had recently been announced, and that Maryport Heritage will be used as a basis for Regeneration.

Members were shown the HAZ zone and the HAZ officer advised the 3 key strands of the Heritage Action Zone, Community Engagement, Capital Programme and Cultural Programme and provided an overview of the proposed activities and improvements which will be implemented using HAZ funding, the Cultural Programme will be led by the new ‘Creative Maryport’ group.

The HAZ officer also delivered a presentation to members which included the ‘vision of Maryport’ video which highlighted the capital project schemes planned as part of the Maryport Regeneration if funding is granted from the Future High Street Fund.

The Programme Manager for Maryport then delivered a presentation which detailed the strategic plan for Maryport and the Future High Street Fund. This presentation provided further detail, including the project overview images and design plans in relation to the six capital projects,

• The Wave
• The Carlton
• Empire Yard
• Christ Church
• Public Realm Improvements
• Vacant Units

In addition, members were shown images and plans of new proposed cycleways and boardwalk improvements.

The application for the fund was made in June 2020 and the outcome will be known in November 2020. Work has also begun on developing appropriate governance arrangements.

Members then asked questions of the officers in relation to business incentives, accommodation, residential units, covered markets, consultations, e-bikes, covid-19 and marketing/communication.

In relation to finances, members were concerned that the Council may have to subsidise some projects. Officers confirmed that the business case for the project can be shared to members which will provide further detail over financial sustainability.

Some members also expressed concerns over the potential use of the Wave and the Carlton and its future financial viability. In response the officers clarified that robust consultation has taken place with residents, community groups and the Town Council.

Members noted the contents of the report.

Following the approval from the Co-Chairs, this item was added to the agenda.

The Legal Officer presented the item and report, providing members with an overview of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) explaining that they cover anti-social behaviour that does not constitute a criminal offence, such as dog control and alcohol in public spaces.

As such a PSPO is required for dog fouling as it is not governed by any other legislation, they are renewed every 3 years and the current order is due to expire 20 October. The legal officer explained that this item was a late item as the officers involved with the renewal have been involved in Covid-19 recovery.

Members were advised that to satisfy the legal test for the order the Council had undertaken a public consultation exercise which was included with the existing reports of dog fouling as an evidence base. From August 2016 to June 2020 there were 3450+ reports of dog fouling, however this figure does not consider unreported and anecdotal incidents. The consultation included 4 questions and 90% felt that dog fouling had a detrimental effect to their community from 429 consultation responses.

The Legal Officer went on to advise that under legislation the maximum fine for dog fouling is at £100 and this report will recommend that the Executive Committee use this maximum fine available.

Members were then informed of the conditions that had to be met to make the PSPO, the Councils Legal Officer was satisfied all the conditions had been met.

Debate ensued in relation to the duration of the order and the fine, as well as whether the legal test had been met and satisfied.

Consensus of the members was that dog fouling was a very problematic area and that the duration of the order and fine to be imposed should be the maximum available as to deter dog fouling, acknowledging also that exceptions need to be considered.

Councillor Heaslip moved to motion to approve the officer’s recommendations and that the executive consider a maximum fine of £100 and a three-year order, with the inclusion of the outlined exceptions.

The motion to approve was seconded by Councillor Scott.

A vote was taken on the motion, 10 voted in favour, 0 against and 0 abstentions.

Resolved

The legal test for satisfying a PSPO relating to Dog Fouling has been met based on the reasons outlined in the report.

To consider the creation of a Pandemic Response Task and Finish Group

At the previous meeting members resolved to delegate the implementation of a strategy to consider the response and recovery to the Covid-19 pandemic to officers in consultation with the Chair.

The Chair confirmed that a request was made for members to participate in the Task and Finish Group, a request was made to add the Council Workforce Plan to the terms of reference, which was agreed by members.

Members noted the contents of the report and approved the implementation of a Pandemic Task and Finish Group, the group will consist of Councillors Scott, Heaslip, McCarron-Holmes and Lynch.

The Policy Officer (Scrutiny and Partnerships) provided an overview to the item and asked members to review the section six of the Allerdale Constitution, especially in relation to the ‘Call In’ section.

Members agreed to review and provide feedback via email, comments will then be forwarded to the Constitution Working Group for consideration.

Members noted the contents of the Forward Plan

The Policy Officer (Scrutiny and Partnerships) explained to members that following the addition of new items, some of the work programme for 2020/21 has been rescheduled.

Members were advised that they will soon be invited to briefings in relation to the Community Stadium and the Allerdale Investment Partnership.

Clarity was also provided to members in relation to the timing of Quarterly Performance Reports but acknowledged that this needed to be reviewed going forward.

Debate also ensued in relation to implementation of the Climate Change Group, the Deputy Monitoring Officer clarified that this will be discussed at the next meeting of the Constitution Working Group.

Members noted the contents of the Work Programme for 2020/21

The Chair explained that the Procurement Task and Finish Group is still ongoing, and that Councillor Grainger has taken the Chair in Councillor Bell absence, members agreed to this change.