Agenda and minutes

Prior to the start of the meeting the Chairman welcomed the pupils from Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School.

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th November 2006 having been printed and circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

It was noted that no public questions had been received.

            The Board considered the Minutes of the Executive Board and the Executive Board Sub-Committee relating to the Safer Halton Policy and Performance Board.

 

RESOLVED: That the Minutes be received.

Presentation from the Road Safety Officer Lisa Scott.

            The Board received a presentation from the Council’s Road Safety Officer which outlined the recent successful Road Safety Event called MegaDrive. The Members were informed that Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world, but one of the worst child casualty records.

 

            In 2000, the Government set new challenging targets in its Strategy Document – Tomorrows Roads Safer for Everyone. The presentation covered various issues as, outlined below:

 

·               Targets 2010

·               Local Public Service Agreement

·               Pump Priming Money Supported

·               Halton CKSI Trend

·               Mega Drive – The Event

·               Scenarios

 

            It was noted that MegaDrive was organised solely by the Road Safety Unit and the service was offered to 50 pupils per year group from years 10 and 11. The agenda for the pupils at Mega Drive covered various issues such as  views from the Police informing the students of the real life situations, the road safety issues from the Driving Standards Agency, the importance of mobile phones and seat belts, a Road Safety Show, first aid training and finally an evaluation. The results taken from the evaluation were provided with the presentation. The Research and Intelligence Team collated the data and produced tables and graphs which were shown to Members.

 

            It was noted that the Road Safety Assistant Post was only funded until April 2008, along with the MegaDrive Scheme.

 

            The Members discussed various issues regarding the Pump Priming. It was felt that 50 pupils per year group was not enough and it would be helpful to have funding as part of a whole package. The Road Safety Officer was thanked for an informative presentation.

 

            Members suggested changing the recommendation to suggest a request to Executive Board asking for £60,000 for the financial year 2008/2009 in order to roll out the MegaDrive to all pupils in Year 10 and 11.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)       the presentation be received, and

 

(2)       a recommendation be made to Executive Board looking to extend the             funding for MegaDrive in the financial year 2008/2009.

Presentation from Fire Safety Officer Alan Briggs entitled “Fire Safety – The Way Ahead”, outlining the new and improved Community focus provided by Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service in Halton for 2007/08, in conjunction with many partners.

            The Board received a presentation from Fire Safety Officer Alan Briggs entitled “Fire Safety – the Way Ahead” which outlined the new and improved community focus provided by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in Halton for 2007/08 in conjunction with many partners.

 

            The presentation gave details of the following:

 

·               preventing arson;

·               helping to develop young people;

·               reducing risk in communities;

·               making people safer in homes i.e. older people;

·               Halton Safer Homes Group;

·               Halton Arson Task Force;

·               Road Traffic Collision Reduction; and

·               The Neighbourhood Management Project.

 

            The Board heard how anti-social behaviour issues were being dealt with and that the car clear scheme had resulted in a 30% reduction in burnt out vehicles across the Borough.

 

            The Board held a wide ranging discussion regarding bonfire initiatives, how successful the home fire safety checks had been and also advertising methods for home fire safety checks.

 

            The Chairman thanked Alan Briggs for an informative presentation.

 

            RESOLVED: That the presentation be received.

            The Board considered a presentation from Lucy Atkinson and Paul Knott from the Merseyside Environmental Service, which outlined the Merseyside Joint Waste Development Plan document.

 

            The presentation outlined:

 

·               the development plan document process;

·               the need to consider various types of waste;

·               the Waste Development Plan document timetable;

·               the aims and objectives of sustainability appraisal;

·               key milestones; and

·               how the public can participate.

 

            Members who wished to express their views regarding what Merseyside could be doing with its waste, could log on to www.wasteplanningmerseyside.gov.uk and complete the on-line consultation. Alternatively, a paper copy of the consultation could be obtained from any library in Merseyside in addition to details being published in the local press or contacting the Waste Development Plan Document Team and request a copy be sent out in the mail.

 

            In conclusion it was noted that once people had registered their interest in the Joint Waste Development Plan document, advice of the results of the issues and options consultation would be provided and an invitation would be sent asking people to participate in the consultation on the preferred options.

 

            The Chairman thanked Lucy and Paul for an informative presentation.

 

            RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

            The Members considered a presentation report from the Council’s Drug Action Team Co-Ordinator, Steve Eastwood which noted that in 2003  the Government decided to merge the Drug and Alcohol Teams with the Partnerships and various other agencies.

 

            The presentation outlined the following:

 

·               who the Drug and Alcohol Action Team are, i.e. the make-up of the staff in the office;

·               what the Drug and Alcohol Action Team do;

·               agencies the DAT Team link with;

·               what the DAT Team are expected to achieve in relation to national targets etc; and

·               the achievements of the DAT Team.

 

            The Members were also informed of the new building called Ashley House in Widnes which provided a range of services for those affected by drugs or alcohol. The service provided at Ashley House included:

 

·               a doctor’s office;

·               needle exchange facilities;

·               access to computers;

·               progress to work;

·               prolific offenders team;

·               service user Advocacy Manager;

·               structured day care;

·               drug intervention programme;

·               family service;

·               outreach services;

·               stimulants service;

·               alcohol teams;

·               and community drugs team (GP shared care, prescribing service needle exchange)

 

            In addition, it was noted that service users and their families would be able to access a range of other support agencies such as Benefit Bus, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Housing Flotation Support, Sure Start, Dental Health and Harm Reduction Service.

 

            The Pupils from Saints Peter and Paul Student Council asked various questions regarding the age of self referrals, the Young Add-Action 16 – 18 year olds.  They also thanked the chairman for letting them attend a meeting at the Council.

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

(1)       the presentation be received; and

 

(2)            Members  continue to support the good work of  the Drug and Alcohol Action Team is doing.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Environment regarding the Smoke Free Premises Legislation. It was noted that the report was very much about the regulatory role.

 

            Included in the report was background information, the legislation and essential factors for consideration. It was reported that the implementation date would be on Sunday 1^st July 2007 at 6.00 am.

 

            The implementation of the smoke free elements of the Health Act 2006 would mean that virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces would become smoke-free environments. It was noted that this would included offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, restaurants, membership clubs, public transport and work vehicles that are used by more than one person. The Board heard how smoke-free legislation was not a “smoking ban”. It was not being enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

 

            The Board held a wide ranging discussion regarding the report and it was felt that there may be implications for the increase in litter, the need for an educational programme, the assisting of compliance, and funding for the required major piece of work.

 

            It was reported that the Chairman had agreed that the Environmental Health and Risk Assessment Working Party set up by the Board to consider such issues should take on an overview and scrutiny examination of the issue.

 

            The Environmental Health and Risk Assessment Working Party had met to be briefed on the background and the Government’s intentions. With the arrival of the detailed legislation and the promise of detailed guidance to follow, this group would be able to meet again to fulfil this role. It was suggested that any incoming money could be ring-fenced and used solely for the purpose of making this new law/rule work more easily. In reply, it was noted that some guidance from Scotland would be sought on how they implemented the new legislation.

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

(1)       the Board note and consider the report; and

 

(2)       that the Environmental Health and Risk Assessment Working Party             continue to meet to undertake an overview of the legislation as national             guidance is made available and report back to the Board as             appropriate.

            It was noted that the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 brought in new powers for local authorities to deal with dog related issues. These powers enabled local authorities to deal with the minority of irresponsible dog owners and would replace existing legislation if adopted.

 

            Members were advised that an additional report regarding dog control orders would be brought back to a  future meeting.

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

1)           the Board note and consider the report;

2)           a further report be brought back to a future meeting containing precise dog control orders.

            The Board was reminded that Standing Order 51 of the Council’s Constitution stated that meetings should not continue beyond 9.00 pm.

                       

            RESOLVED: That Standing Order 51 be waived for 15 minutes.

            The Board received a report from the Strategic Director Health and Community regarding the Risk Management Strategy for Safer Headstones.

 

            The purpose of the report was to seek Members’ support for the revised Risk Management Strategy for Safer Headstones which was distributed with the report.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)       the report be noted; and

 

(2)       the Operational Director for Health and Partnerships be requested to         agree the revised Risk Management Strategy for Safe Headstones in             consultation with the Executive Board Member for Environment,             Leisure and Sport.

            Members were informed of topics and issues discussed at meetings of Working Parties set up by the Safer Halton Policy and Performance Board, details of which were outlined in the report.

 

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.