Agenda and minutes

The following substitutions were made:-

-        Councillor Holmes for Councillor Herdman

-        Councillor Spooner for Councillor Pascall

-        Councillor Johnson for Councillor O’Shea

-        Councillor L Swindlehurst for Councillor Smith

·         Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

·         Other Interests

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 September 2023, be approved.

At this point of the meeting, the Leader announced that the opening hours of the Reception desk at Moorlands House had been extended until 4:30pm each day. These new opening times would be monitored and reviewed following the trial period.

(At least two clear days notice required, in writing, to the Proper Officer in accordance with Procedure Rule 15).

None had been received.

In response to a query in relation to the replacement of bins, the Portfolio Holder explained the various reasons residents would qualify for larger bins.

A request was made for the Panel to receive an update on Cheadle Market and it was agreed that this would be included on the Work Programme for the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the Work Programme be agreed;

2)    For an Information Digest to be provided to members on bin sizes.

The Panel received the Annual Performance Update from the Regional Director and Contract Manager at Lex Lesiure. This included the following topics:-

·       The UK Leisure Market

·       Healthy Communities

·       MSK Hubs

·       Net Promotor Score

·       Contract Highlights

·       Fitness and Swimming Lessons

·       Social Media

·       Customer Feedback and Net Promoter Score

·       Maintenance and Capital Investments

·       Carbon Reduction and Utility Management

·       Active Communities/Move More Strategy

·       Drowning Prevention

·       Grounds Maintenance

·       Future Plans

Discussion took place around growth levels, affordability of swimming lessons, costs associated with the lifeguard for Leek Swimming Club, popularity of the musculoskeletal [MSK] hub project, promotion of the Escape Pain rehabilitation programme and the temperature of the pool and aging building at South Moorlands Leisure Centre.

Usage of the recently refurbished pavilion at Birchall had increased slightly and it was agreed this facility could be promoted more widely.

An issue around the football pitch at Halls Road Playing field and the use of swim snorkels was discussed.

It was suggested that more work could be done with the community, voluntary sector and councillors to increase usage of the various facilities in the area.

Ian Sales – Contract Manager, was thanked for the improvements at the bowling green in Leek.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the presentation be noted;

2)    For the reported issues at Halls Road Playing Field to be investigated further with the Council’s Commissioning Team;

3)    For the next performance update to incorporate the outcome of the  review of the MSK Hub Project.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this item was deferred and would be rescheduled for consideration at another meeting.

The report provided information on the work undertaken by the Environmental Health service in response to concerns about damp and mould in properties

within the private rented sector.

Members welcomed the priority given by the Council to damp and mould and debated the content of the Advice Leaflet attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Information was requested around the extent of the problem in the Moorlands, level of enforcement action taken and the timescales involved following a complaint.

Discussion took place around increased heating costs, condensation, energy efficiency grants, and a holistic approach (Every Contact Counts) to health and wellbeing when home visits were made by Environmental Health Officers.

RESOLVED:

1)    The Panel noted the contents of the report;

2)    Recommended that additional wording be added to the leaflet:-

                                               I.          Rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords;

                                             II.          The next steps/flowchart a tenant should take after the advice had been followed and the damp/mould issue persisted.

3)    Detail to be supplied to members in relation to the extent of the problem in the area, level of enforcement and associated timescales.

The Chair to move:-

 “That pursuant to Section 100A (2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated.”

The Chair moved:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 10 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

RESOLVED: That the exempt minutes from the meeting held on 6 September 2023, be approved.

Consideration was given to a progress update on the Leisure Transformation Plan.