Agenda and minutes

A minute’s silence was observed to mark the passing of the late Councillor Mrs Jeanette Allsopp.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miss Fisher and Mrs Pullen.

No declarations of interests were received

The minutes of the meeting held on the 3^rd October 2017 as circulated were read and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

It was noted that elements of commercialisation would be captured in this meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on the 7^th October 2017 be signed as a correct record.

The work programme for the Committee was considered and it was noted that this was the last meeting of the Municipal year and so ideas and requests were invited in readiness for the forthcoming year.

It was requested and agreed that Garden Waste subscription be considered in the autumn to allow for reflection and evaluation following the summer gardening season. 

The locking of Burntwood Parks was then discussed and it was noted that there had been some concern from residents regarding it along with a lack of communication with ward Members who could have alleviated these concerns.  It was agreed that communication and engagement methods of all matters including operational ones should be considered in the future.

RESOLVED:  That the work programme be noted and updated as agreed.

The session will start with three brief presentations and a short video - this will set the context for the new Health & Wellbeing approach that Leisure and Operational Services (LOPS) are taking, clarify the new overall direction for LOPS and illustrate the District wide approach that we are taking. The purpose of the session is to seek Members views on the approach and suggest any other interventions to improve Health & Wellbeing other than facility based activity.

The Committee received presentations from Officers of the Leisure and Operational Services (LOPS) service area and how their work contributed to improving health and wellbeing for residents in the district.  It was reported that, including waste, 9 out of the 19 aspirations of the Strategic Plan were under the remit of LOPS and therefore the Leisure, Parks and Waste Management (Overview & Scrutiny) Committee. 

It was noted that health and wellbeing was of importance as figures showed that 1 in 4 people in the district were deemed as inactive and the knock on effects from inactivity on both physical and mental health could hit other sectors as well as local government including the NHS.  It was reported that there was a draft Health & Wellbeing Strategy that had been considered by the Community, Housing and Health (Overview & Scrutiny) Committee which would help tackle these issues and the LOPS team were developing a Health & Wellbeing Development Plan 2018/2023 to interpret the main elements of the Council’s Strategy into a deliverable and measured actions.

The presentations received went into depth for each area of the LOPS team and what input they had into health and wellbeing from street cleaning and parks maintenance which provided a safe and clean environment for people to enjoy the outdoors, providing events and entertainment to aid relaxation and sports development giving opportunities for all sectors of the district to become fitter and healthier.

Members then asked questions and it was suggested that Member connections could be utilised more to gain access to further facilities for example football pitches at schools.  It was also suggested that the Chasewater facility could be used better if it were advertised and it was noted that it was close to a deprived area. 

Events in Burntwood were discussed and it was noted that commercial and community fees had been reviewed after recent discussions and would be charged on a case by case basis. It was noted that data from community events around areas of health & wellbeing, leisure, arts and cultural benefits would now be captured to create an evidence base.

It was then discussed as to how the Parish Councils could help in funding or organising events in their areas and in turn possibly making a return on income to aid their responsibilities. 

Members felt that frailer adults were usually overlooked when it came to organising activities and the benefits were well known of integrating all ages and groups in such events.  It was agreed to look at this further.

RESOLVED: That the information received is noted.

It was proposed, duly seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the sincere thanks of the Committee be recorded to all the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen for their work during the past year.