Agenda and draft minutes

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting, held on 28^th March 2018.

With the agreement of the committee the Chairman signed the minutes of the last meeting held on 28 March 2018

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Yvonne Stevens

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

No Declarations of Interest were tabled.

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting.

No Public Questions were tabled.

To allow members of the public to address the Committee.

No member of the public addressed the committee.

(Inspector Andy Morrice will be in attendance to discuss any policing issues with Members.)

This item was not addressed as Inspector Morrice tabled his apologies.

Councillor Alison Austin asked that those member’s who attended a recent visit to the Police Headquarters at Nettleham, officially record their thanks to Inspector Morrice for organising the visit.

The Chairman concurred stating that the visit had been most worthwhile.

(A presentation by the Chairman, Councillor Nigel Welton)

The Chairman presented an annual review on the activity of the committee following changes 2 years previously, when the Chairman had recognised the need for a clearer structure and a move to monthly meetings due to the amount of agenda items against the 4 normally scheduled leaving gaps of four months from one to the other.

The new pro active role had been successful and the committee was very community focused. In the last two years it had set up community groups; held competitions with school children on two occasions and also invited members of the public to engage with the committee on various other things.  Referencing the members of the public in attendance at the meeting the Chairman acknowledged their engagement which provided valuable to the committee.  Furthermore the committee had also put a huge amount of money aside for essential services and provided new services to residents and visitors.   The committee’s annual budget was in excess of £60000.k 

One of the first things the committee did was engage with schools and asked them to produce a logo for the committee.  The competition took place and the Mayor at the time, Councillor Woodliffe, chose the winning logo.  The Logo was now used in the town identifying ongoing works of BTAC.

A further new approach was the member working groups:  an events sub group had been convened and was made up of three members of the committee and at least six members of the public.  They had initially looked at between 20 / 30 ideas and developed the events which were able to be put forward.

Another working group was being chaired by Councillor Griggs looking at improving green spaces and play provision.  The group had undertaken fantastic work.

The small grants group had been convened chaired by Councillor S Ransome which considered applications for grants up to £1000k, sitting 3 to 4 times per year.  It had helped Boston Woodcarvers; the Mini Police. Allotments and other activities.  Members were advised that the Mini Police had been involved in the Xmas light switch on and in aspiring school children to become mini police officers.

BTAC had also convened its own planning consultation group, which although not yet instigated, did allow any ward to member to call-in any planning application within the BTAC area similar to a Parish Council.

Following a presentation by a member of the public a Speed Indicating Device had been purchased by BTAC and was in continual use providing data which was passed to the police to support their own work and assist in targeting specific problem areas.

Committee had agreed to grant £10k to the Xmas in Boston community group.   What had been achieved by the group was fantastic with excellent feedback from the public.  Furthermore BTAC held another competition with the schools to see who would turn on the Xmas lights:  the challenge was to write a poem and for fairness it was split into three categories.   The selection process agreed 10 winners in each  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

(A report presented by Paul Julian, Head of Financial Services.)

The Head of Financial Services presented the report to the committee confirming that the draft position at year end was set out in appendix one.

Members were advised that the accounts would be audited alongside the Council’s accounts in June.  Committee were advised that most spending was in line with the budget with the main exception being the one off spend, which included some in respect of the play area investment, as notified in the Chairman’s report.

Concluding, members were reminded of their decision that any under-spend for small grants would be brought forward and as such the unallocated sum would be reduced by that amount next time.

No questions or comments were noted in respect of this item.

(The Committee’s work programme for the current year for discussion and/or updating.)

Chairman noted that the work programme for June was very thin and advised what he would like to do was ask if could have update on new operatives as to what they have achieved so far and how it linked to other departments.

The vice chairman asked if it would be appropriate to have an update on the activity of the events sub-group, particularly surrounding the 1918 commemorations which were good news stories.

The Chairman confirmed that following discussions with the Chief Executive standing items for sub group reporting would be part of future agendas.

In response to a members question about the committee’s historical discussion in respect of improvements along the riverbank and any work the new operatives may have done, the Chairman referenced the minutes of the previous meeting which noted the agreement of committee to require members to identify and table any areas of deployment for the town operatives. 

Referencing the Fenside CCVT camera’s matter the Chief Executive reminded members that a report was scheduled for the Environment and Performance Committee in June which would provide a detailed update on CCTV and Anti Social Behaviour activity across the borough.  Whilst acknowledging that not all BTAC members were on the Scrutiny committee, he did ask that they recognise that there was already a very detailed report scheduled.

The Chairman asked if there were any other questions and Councillor Rush addressed the committee asking if it was possible to move the proclamation of the May Fair. 

The Chairman advised that he would meet Councillor Rush with the Chief Executive the following day as the matter was not for deliberation by BTAC.