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EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE – 10 MARCH 2005

Present: Councillor L Marmara (Chairman) Councillor B Gillbard (Deputy Town Maor) Councillors Mrs Collins DL and Mrs Wilson Councillors Jarrett, Johnson, Lord and Matthews

Also present: Councillor Baldwin

333 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There being no public present Members moved on to the next item of business at 7.46 p.m.

334 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Dixon, Mrs Mainstone and Mrs Waddingham.

335 MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 13th January 2005, having been previously circulated, be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

336 MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF PREJUDICIAL AND PERSONAL INTEREST

* Councillor Mrs Collins disclosed personal interests in Min. 345 Queen Victoria Hospital Burns Unit, as she is a non-Executive Director of Queen Victoria Hospital Trust and Mins. 338, 340 and 342 as she is a Member of County Council.

* Councillor Lord disclosed a personal interest in Min. 345 Queen Victoria Hospital Burns Unit, as he is an elected Governor.

* Councillor Matthews disclosed a personal interest in Min. 345 Queen Victoria Hospital Burns Unit, as he is a member of the League of Friends of QVH.

337 PRESENTATION FROM IAN BURTON, HEAD OF OUTDOOR BUSINESS (ENVIRONMENT) WITH MID SUSSEX DISTRICT COUNCIL

The Chairman was pleased to welcome Ian Burton who had agreed to speak on the recent changes at Mid Sussex District Council specifically in relation to his own extensive sphere of work and then to answer questions.

Mr Burton advised of the substantial organisational and service changes implemented at the District Council during the previous year. One of the key benefits of this has been enhanced community engagement and a clearer statement of the Council’s aspirations and visions. There has been enhanced clarity in corporate direction. He was pleased that outdoor facilities had received a high CPA rating and consistently good community feedback.

Mr Burton advised that as Head of Outdoor Business (Environment) he is one of eleven Heads of Service. The Corporate Plan provides for better environment, better lives and better services. In his own sphere better environment means 204 maintaining and enhancing the environment, increasing waste recyclables and issues pertaining to town centres redevelopment. This impacts upon other service areas also and one of the thrusts of the change is that services no longer operate in a silo mentality. Better lives means healthy life style, improving community safety, social inclusion – making facilities available to all and reducing fear of crime. There is an emphasis on utilising green spaces for greater public good. Better services are addressed through value for money, quality, enhanced profile and better customer care. His services include car parks, public toilets, highways cleaning, drainage, refuse and contaminated land. He is particularly passionate about landscape and green space and better-managed space between buildings.

Mr Burton explained that whilst some of his services have a positive dimension, others have a negative focus. The positives include green spaces, parks, outdoor sports and outdoor events. The negatives relate to the amount of waste that finds its way into the main refuse stream and infill, the low level of recycling (although Mid Sussex District Council remains in the top quartile), the insatiable demand for cars, with resultant pollution, and issues of vandalism and antisocial behaviour that have major budgetary implications. Contaminated land and dog fouling are other negatives.

Mr Burton advised that we need to recognise, conserve and manage what we take for granted or we will lose it. There are constant threats to the Sussex countryside.

He advised that during the last year his services have been reviewed and Mid Sussex District Council is taking a lead in deciding how issues can be progressed. Savings have been achieved and some of these will be reinvested for environmental improvements. There are ongoing discussions with the town councils regarding this. Issues of landscape, biodiversity and our green heritage are being firmly addressed in action plans. These seek to protect and enhance what Mid Sussex has. There is a trial initiative with six parishes in which best practice experiences will be shared at a conference later in 2005. The District Council is working with the County Council to provide better information about the landscape and biodiversity we have. This includes a mapping of settlements within the District to see how they have developed over time.

In relation to the town centres redevelopment Mr Burton emphasised that this needs proper planning and provision for outdoor infrastructure including refurbishment and renewal. In his view Thornfields are first seeking to achieve design of space and infrastructure before tackling buildings issues. He also drew attention to the Commission for Architecture and Built Environment and the work they are developing in increasing the profile of parks. These have generally been underestimated and under-resourced for many years. He commended the Commission’s work in promoting public space as being for everyone.

Members then asked a number of questions relating to crime and disorder, business development, social inclusion, recycling and public toilets. He noted the request that one of the Viridor bus road shows should be held in and would discuss this with appropriate officers. He also confirmed that the District Council is seeking to address concerns regarding green waste being included within the main waste stream, a particular issue when the public are having to purchase green sacks for the purpose of disposing of this waste. He stressed that generally waste disposal issues need to be addressed in conjunction with the County Council. Mr Burton also answered concerns about public toilet provision and explained that the District Council is urgently seeking to address this issue in the context of years of neglect. There is a commitment to ensuring continuation of public toilets in East 205 Grinstead Town Centre, although the future configuration is still uncertain. Long term, the objective is to have fewer but better located and higher quality toilets in the town centres.

At the end of the questions the Chairman thanked Mr Burton for his informative presentation and the helpful and courteous way he had answered their questions.

338 WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL COMMITTEES

Committee gave detailed consideration to the Town Clerk’s report and the report considered by the West Sussex County Council Governance Committee on 21st February 2005 that had been attached to the Committee papers as Appendix A. Members welcomed the establishment of locality working through Local Committees, something that they had been advocating for a number of years. They emphasised that for such Committees to be effective they need to be based upon real and effective communities. They had particular reservations as to the inclusion of Slaugham in the Northern Mid Sussex Area Committee as they felt that there was no real sense of community there with East Grinstead and they also questioned whether Ardingly and Balcombe would not be better positioned in Central Mid Sussex rather than in the Northern Area.

It was also the view of Members that to be effective the new Area Committees require budgets. Whilst there was recognition that local decisions will be made by West Sussex County Councillors it was important that there is a real sense of partnership within the new locality working framework and that District Councillors and Councillors from town/parish councils have a real sense of belonging and engagement and that they do not feel that they are merely there to make up the numbers.

Members felt that West Sussex County Council should look closely at best practice in other counties that are more advanced in locality working. Reference was made particularly to , which provides small budgets to County Councillors to progress issues that they regard as priority within their Wards. It was felt that this will also, coupled with the engagement of Members from District, Towns and Parishes, be a real demonstration of commitment to the sorts of initiatives now being lauded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, particularly in relation to local leadership and neighbourhood management.

Finally, Members felt that the fifth paragraph of the Executive Summary was open to various interpretations. Committee affirmed their commitment to public engagement within the new Area Committees, within a clearly established structural arrangement.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be instructed to forward a copy of the above minute to the County Secretary of West Sussex County Council as representing the Town Council’s formal response to their consultation on Local Committees and that it be requested that those views be made known to the County Council at their meeting on 18th March 2005.

339 PUBLIC PAYPHONE IN DE LA WARR ROAD (Min 52 10.6.04)

Committee noted with pleasure the decision of BT to retain the public payphone in De La Warr Road (01342 323559) subsequent to the objection of the Town Council in response to the original consultation on BT Payphones proposed removal. 206 Members also noted that this matter would be kept under review.

207 340 WEST SUSSEX TRANSPORT PLAN STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION 2006 – 2016 AND NORTH MID SUSSEX AREA TRANSPORT ISSUES (Mins 269 & 270 13.1.05)

The Town Clerk’s report relating to the above consultations was noted.

341 PEOPLE, PLACES AND PROSPERITY – ODPM REPORTS

Members gave detailed consideration to the Town Clerk’s report that focused upon the recent strategy documents produced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister helping to inform the overall vision of what Local Government in should look like in 10 years time and the specific issues that need to be considered. These documents, focusing upon the importance of neighbourhood, citizen engagement and vibrant local leadership all accorded with the previously expressed views of the Town Council and the Leader of the Council specifically commended the content.

It was recognized that these are part of a consultative framework and that further consultation is likely in the near future. Members welcomed reference to parish and town councils within the documents and the recognition of their importance, both as direct service providers and working in partnership with principal authorities.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be instructed to write to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister advising that the Town Council generally supports the content of the strategy documents “Citizen Engagement and Public Services: Why Neighbourhoods Matter” and “Vibrant Local Leadership” and looks forward to practical legislative developments that reflect the aspirations contained within those documents.

342 HIGHWAYS WORKS PROGRAMME 2005/2006 & FORWARD PROGRAMME 2006/2007 (Min 390 11.3.04)

The Town Clerk’s report focusing on the Highways Works Programme 2005/2006 and Forward Programme for 2006/2007 was noted. Further to this, Councillor Mrs Collins advised that the County Council has subsequently found some further funds and that as a consequence some additional works would be undertaken within the programme including for footpath enhancements in Chequer Road.

In relation to the proposed A22 Road Safety Scheme between East Grinstead and the border, Members supported this. They expressed gratitude to Councillor Mrs Collins, in her capacity as a County Councillor, for having made successful representations to get these works established within the programme. It was noted that they are likely to be undertaken in and around autumn 2005. Whilst supporting all aspects of the works as proposed, particularly welcoming the VAS warning signs, they did request that the Town Clerk write to West Sussex County Council requesting that the 30 mph stretch immediately at the junction with Hectors Lane should be extended a further distance to the west in order to ensure safe access and egress for motorists at this dangerous and partly hidden junction. Members RESOLVED accordingly.

343 POLICING ISSUES IN EAST GRINSTEAD (Min 272 13.1.05)

The Town Clerk’s report was noted. Councillor Marmara advised that there had been a meeting of the Local Action Team for Baldwins, Imberhorne and Herontye on 3rd March. He hoped that training would begin imminently for the various 208 volunteers in the use of the speed guns. He said that Inspector Wakefield now requires some indication of substantive community acceptance and support for Speed Watch. Councillor Marmara said that he would draw up an online petition and the Town Clerk said that he would be writing to urge that this matter be progressed at the earliest opportunity so that the Speed Watch scheme can be implemented in the near future.

Councillor Lord advised that the Ashplats Local Action Team meeting, programmed for earlier in the month, had been cancelled at short notice due to the weather conditions. He did not feel that this LAT is moving ahead as smoothly as those for the Town Centre and Baldwins/Imberhorne/Herontye Wards. In this regard Councillor Matthews confirmed the excellence of the two PCSOs for the Town Centre who, he advised, are very effective.

344 PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (Min 311 8.1.04)

The Town Clerk’s report advising on the recent routine maintenance on the East Grinstead Public Rights of Way network was noted with pleasure.

345 WEST SUSSEX FIRE SERVICE INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN

Members noted the content of the Town Clerk’s report providing information regarding the above Plan and drawing Members’ attention to more detailed information regarding West Sussex Fire Service and its approach to risk management on the West Sussex County Council web site www.westsussex.gov.uk

346 QUEEN VICTORIA HOSPITAL BURNS UNIT

In noting the content of the Town Clerk’s report on a recent review of services for burns injuries across England and Wales and that the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had not been named as one of the Centres of Excellence, Members were pleased to learn that no final decision on this has yet been reached and that there will be further consultation during the coming months.

It was reported that whilst any decision to downgrade the Burns Unit at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust would have serious implications for the Trust, the Secretary of State had recently advised that this matter is still not determined. What had also been emphasised was the importance of the West Sussex County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee and the opportunity that they have to input as a part of any future consultation.

The Committee agreed that they would respond to any future consultation and that should this be received during a time-frame that did not permit consideration at Committee itself then delegated authority would be granted to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman of Committee and Leader of the Council to respond and subsequently report back on this.

During this discussion about the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust, Councillor Mrs Collins, with the approval of the Chairman, read a press statement that the Trust had issued in response to the Department of Health Mandatory MRSA Surveillance Scheme. This emphasised the misleading nature of recent press reports on this matter and specifically confirmed that all three recorded patients with MRSA from April to June 2004 had the bacteraemia upon arrival at the Hospital and did not acquire the infection there. Furthermore, as statistics are calculated on the number of MRSA cases per 1,000 occupied bed days the figure is distorted for the Trust as 209 it is small, has a low bed occupancy rate and as more than 50% of cases at Queen Victoria Hospital are day cases. Since October 2004 there has only been one reported case of MRSA.

In relation to this matter the Town Clerk agreed to forward to all Members a copy of the press statement issued by the Hospital on 7th March 2005 and a copy would be retained on file 6/9.

347 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND BUSINESS PLANNING

Committee gave detailed consideration to newly proposed Terms of Reference, Strategy and Policy Statements for the Committee in the light of the organisational and cost centre changes being implemented within the Town Council from 1st April 2005.

RECOMMENDED: That the proposed Terms of Reference for the Public Services Committee, the unamended corporate objectives and the amended Strategy and Policy Statements all be approved in accordance with the proposals contained within the Town Clerk’s report, agenda item 15, and Finance & General Purposes Committee on 21st March 2005 be requested to officially ratify these.

348 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS – CONCESSIONARY RAIL PASSES (Min 276 13.1.05)

The Town Clerk’s report providing details of concessionary rail passes issued in December 2004 and January 2005 together with comparative information for the same months in the previous two years was officially noted by the Committee.

349 WRITTEN REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF MID SUSSEX DISTRICT COUNCIL AND WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL (Min 277 13.1.05)

Committee considered a written report prepared by County Councillor Mrs Collins DL that was tabled at the meeting. This included information regarding the West Sussex County Council budget and precept for 2005/2006, information regarding the Local Area Committees, the South East Plan, the safety measures being implemented on the A22 from a point south of the Beeching Way to the East Sussex County border and information regarding the new Library. She was thanked for this report and it was agreed that a copy would be sent under separate cover to all Members of the Town Council not in attendance at this meeting.

The meeting closed at 9.35 p.m.

SIGNED:

CHAIRMAN.

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