Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Slade, Cllr Russell substituted. 

The minutes of the Community, Leisure and Health Committee held on 6 June 2016 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chair. 

RESOLVED, that item 4, Crimestoppers presentation be taken before item 3.

Crimestoppers Ambassadors Scheme Presentation by Colin Dobinson.

Presentation attached at Appendix A.

The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) was made up of Responsible Authorities as outlined in the Crime & Disorder Act 1988 which included the Council as a key partner.

Each year the partnership had a statutory duty to carry out a Strategic Intelligence Assessment which reviewed existing priorities and identified any new or emerging priorities that the partnership should focus on.

All partners agreed the Strategic Priorities and set in the Partnership Plan (see Appendix A of the report) how the partnership would work together over the next twelve months to tackle crime and disorder and achieve its priorities. 

 The CSPs Strategic Priorities for 2016/17 were:

-       Protecting People from Harm

-       Domestic Abuse

-       Anti-Social Behaviour

-       Burglary

-       Community Engagement

A set of action plans had been developed which underpinned the delivery of the above priorities and set out how the partnership would work together to stimulate activity across the Borough.  This would focus on those activities that added value as a result of being delivered in partnership. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Wiles and SECONDED by Cllr Russell to approve the recommendations set out in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.         For Members to endorse and support the work of the CSP through the Partnership Plan.

Reasons for recommendation

The Council was one of the key partners within the CSP and it was vital that this was supported by Members to ensure that it remained effective in tackling local crime and disorder issues that affect our most vulnerable residents were supported. 

The Council owned and maintained large areas of public open spaces, ranging from common land to parks and recreation fields within the Borough.

A Motion was made to Full Council recommending additional protection for land to reduce the risk of unauthorised incursions, which have increased in recent years and had resulted in a cost to remove vehicles and persons from land, and to clear up sites following an incursion.

Members approved expenditure on the work to a number of sites identified which included King George’s Playing Fields, Hutton Recreation Fields and the Brentwood Centre. 

The report sought to update Members on works completed to date and to request approval for further work identified as a result of damage caused to existing protection measures and on additional sites that had been used for unlawful incursions in 2016.

Cllr Mrs Davies requested cross party working to prevent inclusion in the future.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Wiles. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.         Members agreed to the programme of proposed works identified in the report to be carried out. 

Reasons for recommendations

 To continue to maintain and protect open spaces in the Borough. 

In 2010, Brentwood Borough Council adopted a Volunteer Engagement Policy and Procedure and an Employee Volunteering Policy in 2011.  These two policies had been reviewed and updated, and informed the delivery of the Volunteering Strategy 2016-2019 which had already been agreed by Members of the Community and Health Committee eon 14 March 2016 (min. Ref 408). 

These policies further embedded the Council’s commitment to supporting volunteers and their integral role in our communities in promoting and contributing to community cohesion. 

The policies ensured that the Council was working to safeguard volunteers and staff and allowed us to deliver quality volunteering opportunities.  

A request from Cllr Mrs Hubbard that the effects of the volunteers should be acknowledged.  This was noted by the Officer.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Reed and SECONDED by Cllr Sanders to approve the recommendation set out in the report. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to: 

1.         Adopt the Brentwood Borough Council Volunteer Engagement Policy and Procedures and Employee Volunteering Policy 2016. 

Reasons for recommendation

Adoption of the policies strengthen our commitment to the Council’s vision for volunteering, which ensured that we prioritised engagement with volunteers in service delivery to involve the community in influencing decision-making.  

The policies also encouraged our own staff to undertake leave to carry out their own volunteering to enhance their wellbeing and demonstrate our commitment to supporting our communities.

The policies ensured that we demonstrate the importance of good practice and management of volunteers.

The Council operated the public space CCTV within the Town Centre of Brentwood, Shenfield and other areas of the Borough in accordance with the CCTV Code of Practice which had been reviewed in October 2010.

The report sought Member approval to the revised Code of Practice which had been amended in relation to the current guidance from the Surveillance Camera Commissioner and Information Commissioner. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Russell to approve the recommendations set out in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:   

1.    The draft revision of the Brentwood CCTV Code of Practice incorporating the requirements of the Information Commissioner and Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Codes of Practice was approved for consultation with the Police and relevant stakeholders. 

2.    The results of consultation were accepted and, if they do not contravene the national guidance, that the Community, Health and Leisure Committee agree the revised Brentwood Code of Practice. 

Reasons for Recommendation

To keep policies and operating procedures up to date. 

During the preceding item, in accordance with Rule 28 of Part 4.1 of the

Council Procedure Rules, the business of the meeting not having concluded

by two hours after its start, Members voted and agreed to continue with the

meeting for a further 30 minutes.

The Basildon and Brentwood Public Health Partnership Group had the responsibility for delivering the Strategic Plan on behalf of the Brentwood Health and Wellbeing Board, and the Basildon Health and Wellbeing Partnership.  The Public Health Partnership would ensure that all partner organisations support the delivery of pertinent services in line with the Strategic Plan.  The group acknowledged the wider challenges around the improvement of health and wellbeing amongst the residents of Basildon and Brentwood, but had chosen to prioritise its focus on specific areas where health may be influenced.   

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Ms Sanders and SECONDED by Cllr Mrs Davies to approve the recommendation set out in the report.  

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.         Members approved the Strategic Plan (Version: August-October 2016) produced by the Basildon and Brentwood Public Health Partnership Group, and note that it replaced the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Work Plan produced by Brentwood Borough Council and approved by Committee in July 2014.  

Reasons for recommendation

Members were required to approve the Strategic Plan as it directly affects the future health and wellbeing of residents within the Brentwood Borough.  It also impacts businesses with regard to providing healthy food choices where reference to the Council’s Tuck-In work is concerned.  

There were no items of Urgent Business.

The meeting concluded at 21.14