Agenda item

To consider the content of the Council’s Forward Plan, June 2021 – October 2021, within the remit of the Committee.

The Committee considered the contents of the Council’s Forward Plan June 2021 to October 2021, relating to the portfolios of the Cabinet Members whose responsibilities fell within its remit.

Members noted the inclusion of the Blackpool Tree Strategy on the plan and queried what funding was available to support it. Mr John Blackledge, Director for Community and Environmental Services, responded that a report on the strategy would be considered by the Scrutiny Leadership Board at its next meeting. This report outlined that the strategy was the first adopted by the Council and that it would allow access to national funding opportunities once in place. He added that scrutiny would be consulted at every stage of the strategy’s development and implementation.

The Committee also raised the decision relating to the Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) on King Street to facilitate the Talbot Gateway Phase 3 project and asked if any issues had been encountered with the businesses affected. Mr Cavill responded that the Council was in negotiation with those affected by the project, with a view to purchasing their property and assisting with any relocation, and that the use of a CPO was a last resort in the event no agreement could be reached.

The New Housing Development at Grange Park was also discussed with Members asking if the number of houses planned had been confirmed and if any existing residents would be displaced. Councillor Neal Brookes, Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Public Safety, Highways and Transport, replied that no existing residents would be displaced by the development and that the number and mix of planned houses could be provided to the Committee in writing following the meeting.

The Committee queried if agreement of the Community Safety Plan (CSP) had been delayed and if the new plan contained provision for addressing the crime and disorder issues occurring in the town centre in relation to young people. Mr Blackledge responded that the CSP would be shaped by the outcome of the strategic needs assessment and that the Committee, as the Crime and Disorder Panel, would be consulted on the resulting document. He added that the Police were aware of the issues in the town centre and that they would be working with the Council’s Public Protection team going forward.

Members discussed the replacement of the CCTV system in the town centre and asked if greater details regarding the plans, cost and level of coverage could be provided. In response Mr Blackledge confirmed that a review panel meeting would be organised for July 2021 so that the plans for CCTV could be presented to the Committee and allow scrutiny member input. In response to a query regarding funding for live CCTV in the town centre and at Council owned sport facilities, Mr Blackledge stated that the Council considered all possible funding opportunities. He also noted that the replacement of CCTV was a process and therefore infrastructure would not be replaced all at once. The Committee further asked if any consideration had been given to the saturation of CCTV in the town and if a policy existed to determine this, noting possible privacy concerns. Mr Blackledge answered that although no policy existed, all cameras had a risk assessment conducted before they were placed and that locations were determined by the level of concern associated with an area.