Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received. 

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no interests declared at this meeting.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Informal Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 27 November 2020.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 27 November 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

Discussion with the Healthy Lifestyles Officer.

The Committee welcomed the Healthy Lifestyles Officer to the meeting to discuss healthy lifestyles in North East Derbyshire.

Members heard that funding for the Healthy Lifestyles Team was split across the Council and a number of external partners, including Active Derbyshire and the Healthy Lifestyles Partnership.

The Committee was informed of the Team’s overall objective to improve health and wellbeing, and reduce inequalities and inactivity levels. The Team had utilised a number of projects within the Clay Cross area in order to achieve those goals, such as the Physical Activity Lifestyles Support Service (PALS), Walking for Health Project, and the hugely successful Beat the Street scheme. The Committee had a wide ranging discussion on the Schemes in Clay Cross, and the potential of it being rolled out to other areas in North East Derbyshire.

The Healthy Lifestyles Officer informed members that various methods were used to measure the success of the schemes such as using targets and collecting case studies. It was stated that the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic was having adverse effects on current targets, and had delayed the Sharley Park Obesity Action Plan.

Members discussed the capacity for dealing with mental health issues and heard that a number of partners through the PALS scheme were able to provide sufficient mental health support. It was hoped that in the near future the service would be able to provide their own mental health support service.

Members discussed obesity records held by Derbyshire County Council, and requested that they be shared with the Committee.

Members thanked the officer for attending the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To consider the responses to questions raised on the Pest Service Review. 

Members considered the responses to questions raised by the Committee on the Pest Service Review.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To consider further information on Parks and Green Spaces with the Head of Streetscene and the Joint Head of Streetscene & Waste Services Manager.

The Head of Service for Streetscene, and the Joint Street & Waste Services Manager were present at the meeting to discuss the District’s Parks and Green Spaces. 

Members were provided with information which outlined the District’s play areas and sports pitches. The information included frequencies of inspection, costings, and a National Playing Field Association (NPFA) Play Value Score for each play area.

Members discussed the maintenance of equipment and potential for a Capital Replacement Programme. The Committee heard that certain equipment, such as swings, could last for at least 30/40 years but older equipment became less appealing to children when compared with new and modern play sites. The Officers informed the Committee that site replacement and refurbishment was predominantly influenced by Section 106 monies and that having a structured capital funding resource would enable them to have a planned and structured approach towards refurbishing play equipment.

The Committee raised concerns over the locations of smaller play sites as once the children of local families had moved away, the sites could go unused and attract anti-social behaviour and that these often resulted in a network of underutilised sites and consideration should be given to reviewing them with a view to investing in key sites, in particular, sites which had other facilities to provide a more diverse range of leisure and play experience. 

The consensus was that the most appealing sites should be in the areas with the highest levels of obesity, and if those sites were updated regularly and kept in good condition, residents would be more inclined to use them.

Members thanked the officers for attending the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To consider the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions.  Please note, the most up-to- date Forward Plan of Executive Decisions can be accessed via the following link:-

https://democracy.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=1137&RD=0&bcr=1

AGREED – That the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions be noted.

To consider the Work Programme for the Communities Scrutiny Committee 2020/2021.

AGREED – That the Work Programme be noted

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no additional items to be discussed at this meeting.

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee will be held on Friday, 5 March 2020 at 1.30 pm. 

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee will take place on Friday, 5 March 2021 at 1.30 pm.