Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair confirmed that the meeting was being broadcast live to the internet via the Council’s website and was capable of repeated viewing.  The images and sound recording may be used for training purposes within the Council.  All were asked to keep to the speaking guidelines which were outlined.  Any views expressed by any speakers in the meeting are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of High Peak Borough Council. 

The Chair advised the Committee that the following Part 2 Agenda items would now be discussed in Part 1:

·       Agenda Item 12 - Derbyshire Police – Pre-submitted Questions

·       Agenda Item 13 - DCC Day Centres

i)              Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

ii)             Other Interests

Cllr Grooby and Cllr Greenhalgh declared an other interest, in that they are Derbyshire County Councillors, in addition to High Peak Borough Councillors, in relation to Agenda Item 13, DCC Day Centres.

None.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The two Derbyshire Police Officers delivered a presentation to the Committee relating to the work of the High Peak Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), which included information regarding officer contact details for specific areas within the Borough; the Derbyshire Alert two-way messaging system, which 6,146 people are currently signed up for; and Crime Focus which showed that the volume of crime in the High Peak has reduced by 9.1% compared to the previous year.

The committee was informed that the High Peak SNT had won the Team of the Year Award at Derbyshire Constabulary’s Achievements Awards evening.

The Officers advised the Committee that more detailed/bespoke crime statistics could be provided to members in any format as required.  Members therefore requested a further breakdown of crime in different areas of the High Peak, for example, north, central and south; types of crime; and reasons for any reductions in crime, i.e. due to police action or other factors.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the presentation be noted.

2.    That crime statistics be provided to members by the Derbyshire Police Officers, broken down into area (north, central, south); type of crime; and reasons for any reductions in crime, for example, due to police action or other factors.

In relation to questions pre submitted by members, some of the items discussed were as follows: 

• Cars travelling at high speeds around Buxton
• Parking issues within the Hope Valley
• 16 local officers had been trained to use the speed gun to address speeding issues
• Buxton Carnival – Officers were working with partners as part of a working group to ensure next year’s carnival is run effectively and safely
• Traffic around schools
• Motorbikes on footpaths in New Mills

Other matters were responded to in writing.

Officers encouraged members to contact them direct with any further enquiries.

RESOLVED:

That the information provided by the officers be received with thanks.

The Committee received a presentation from AES, which included details around the following:

·         Contractual KPI’s

·         Street Cleansing, Grounds and Parks KPI’s 2023/24 Outturn

·         Finance 2023/24 Outturn

·         Savings Plan Update 2023/24

·         Simpler Recycling

The logistics of procurement of vehicles, caddies and staff for the Simpler Recycling scheme were discussed; as well as publicising the scheme to commercial businesses.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted.

The Committee was presented with the Parks Development Plan report, which gave an update on the progress made to implement the High Peak Parks Strategy, Parks Development Fund and the Play Investment Plan.

The Committee discussed the structural issues regarding the bridge within the Pavilion Gardens, and was advised that the Assets Team was awaiting information regarding weightbearing specifications, and that once this information was received, works would be able to progress.

A member advised the Committee regarding the newly upgraded play area in Simmondley, and how popular and well used it was.

The opportunity to include fitness equipment within Active Trails in Parks, and the possibility of involvement from MyActive was discussed.

The Officer advised the Committee that she had been working with Biodiversity colleagues regarding the Plan for Nature, which would identify key sites for inclusion, and that this information would feed into the individual Management Plans for those specific parks, where applicable.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Members discussed the outcome of the DCC Day Centre consultation and the decision to close Queens Court Day Centre and Jubilee Gardens Day Centre in March 2025; and what HPBC could do to support DCC and the community.

The Leader advised that, as the decision had only recently been made by DCC, HPBC was still awaiting further information from them regarding the impact of their decision. 

The Leader informed the Committee that discussions would be taking place with DCC and other partners, to discuss the logistics of the closures and explore any future potential options for the facilities; and that an update would be provided to the Committee once further information was known.

RESOLVED:

That an update be provided to the Select Committee regarding DCC’s Strategy for the closure of Queens Court Day Centre and Jubilee Gardens Day Centre, and any potential future options, once further information was known.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee Work Programme be noted.

None.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business, as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2024 be approved as a correct record.