Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

There were apologies for absence from Councillors Viven Edge, Martin Howard and Yvonne Stevens.

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 27^th November 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27^th November 2019, were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

To report progress on outstanding actions from the minutes of the last meeting, for information only.

The Lead Officer, Phil Perry updated Members on actions from the minutes of the last meeting.

2020/21 Events Programme Update (Minute 38) 

Cabinet met on 4^th December 2019 and made the following decision:

That the Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC) recommendation of an increase of £27,000 expenditure for the 2020/21 Events Programme be agreed, subject to a report being submitted to the next meeting of BTAC including detailed costings for the programme and published as part of the public agenda papers.

Papers included in the agenda pack set out detailed costings for the programme.

Setting Up a Town Council (Minute 39)

This would be considered by the Committee at its March meeting

BTAC Financial Position (Minute 40)

The ‘bottom line’ statement requested by Members was included in the report within the agenda pack.

Update on Town Centre Operatives’ Activity (Minute 41)

1.    The list of improvements of the BTAC Operatives had been published on the Council’s website.

2.    The Council could take no action regarding litter on private land, the responsibility was the land owners unless it was to do with dog fouling.

Proposed removal of BT payphones (Minute 42)

1.    An email was sent the day after the last meeting to request that the payphone on Carlton Road be cleaned and repaired, which was promptly responded to by BT to the affect that this would take place

2.    The Committee’s objection to the removal of the payphone had been relayed to the Development Management Department to be included in the Council’s consultation response. 

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

A declaration of interest was received from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe in relation to his connection with The Cross Roads Lunch Club, which had applied for a grant from the BTAC Small Grants Scheme. He declared that he would take part in discussions but would not vote.

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 – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday 17^th January 2020.

None.

To allow members of the public to address the Committee.

None.

(To receive an update from Inspector Fran Harrod)

Inspector Fran Harrod attended the meeting and provided Members with an update on the policing issues within the BTAC area.

Staffing

There was a new beat manager, who was assisting Inspector Harrod in the town centre. It was explained that his aim was to focus on anti-social behaviour and drug issues within the town.

Four new officers would soon be arriving from their training in addition to the officers who had been assigned to Boston.

The Major Crime Unit was investigating into the recent murder in Boston, complimented by the knowledge and experience of local officers. Inspector Harrod commended the residents of Boston for the way they had rallied together and assisted Police by reporting any information they had, no matter how minor.

Two officers who were interested in transferring to Boston and had heard bad reports of the town had all commented on what a nice town it actually was.

It was a priority to the Police that young adults were made aware of the possibilities of joining the Police force and how many jobs were available within it.

General Policing

In December there were 1,214 calls, 553 recorded crimes and 236 people placed in custody (which took prisoners from the both the Boston and Spalding areas).

A successful case saw three members of the public targeted relating to shop theft, which led to seventeen charges of theft. One of the individuals was sentenced to twelve months in prison and had been banned from all shops in Lincolnshire.  ARC Lincolnshire, Assisting Rehabilitation through Collaboration (a multi-agency team striving to reduce offending in Lincolnshire) had been involved.

In terms of anti-social behaviour, additional priority had been given to dealing with youths gathering around McDonald’s on bikes.

Mental Health Issues

December had been a challenging period in relation to incidents involving people with mental health issues, with significant resources being focused at any time on individuals at risk. One case had involved two police officers trying to prevent an individual from jumping from a bridge, with others having to block off the road and carry out negotiations. One weekend, officers had been called to two separate suicides before 9 am, which was not unusual.  One person had been making persistent calls and officers had to deal with missing persons who sometimes had mental health issues.  As well as significant resources, there was the impact such situations had on officers themselves and it was credit to the station that officers coped. 

Licensing Enforcement

The Police Licensing Section had carried out more test purchases and other licensing enforcement action, and licence revocations had received a lot of press attention, as the public were keen to know about them.

During debate, Members’ comments included people not feeling safe in West Street on an evening and no longer reporting crime because they felt the Police took no action, though others expressed the opposite view and it was remarked that the situation was not helped by negative press and social media articles. 

Inspector Harrod then responded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

(The Chairman to present)

The Chairman of the Committee presented a report on the Towns Fund Management Board Representative.

During discussion, Members expressed disapproval of being asked to leave the Board meeting as members of the public so early, and that it was felt the Committee could have been given more information prior to the meeting.

(A report by Maddy Eyre, Local Communities Development Officer and BTAC Grant Administrator)

The Local Communities Development Officer and BTAC Grant Administrator presented the details of the applications received in the current round by the Small Grants Working Group.

Members expressed their appreciation for Lunch Clubs, which helped tackle loneliness within the town.

(Information provided by Tim Sampson, Accountancy Manager - Revenues & Systems)

The Accountancy Manager provided Members with an update on BTAC’s financial position as at December 2019.

The current financial position of BTAC was noted by Members.

(A report by Paul Julian, Chief Finance Officer)

Members of the Committee were provided with details of the Proposed BTAC Budget 2020/21 and Forecast to 2024/25. 

Following Members questions, the Accountancy Manager stated that the figure of £100,000 in Table 3 of the appendices was referring to maintenance within the town instead of the stated Premises cost.

(Information provided by Jenny Moore, Environment & Sustainability Officer)

The Head of Place and Space presented a report, which provided an update on the BTAC Operatives’ Activity through December and January. These included:

• Dealing with vandalism and graffiti – central park fencing, broken bins and road signs, 12 incidences of graffiti,
• Weed spraying at Lawrence Lane and Custom House Quay
• Ongoing Public Realm Improvement Projects:

·         The operatives continued to be involved in keeping a number of Boston in Bloom sites clear.

·         Cleaning and Clearing Weeds on John Adams Way, Bargate Bridge, Wide Bargate, B&M Site, Custom House Quay.

·         Street vacuuming - targeting cigarette ends specifically

·         Continue with the Street Furniture Painting Programme

·         Cleaning up chewing gum

• Reactive Maintenance:

·         Fence, seating and bin repairs and replacement

·         Replace/refit uneven paving slabs Crown House

·         Repair benches Bank Street and Dolphin Lane

Members relayed concerns from individuals who lived around Central Park in relation to the noise that would eventually be produced by the Skate Park. The Head of Place and Space explained that soundproof fencing had been considered; however, this would create a barrier from the rest of the park. It was explained that once the Skate Park had been built, if complaints were received, soundproofing would be reconsidered.

Some Members expressed their concerns of how little green space there was for young people to use within the town besides Central Park. It was suggested that there should be allocated time for Members to discuss investment in their wards and that this should be added to the Work Programme as a separate meeting.

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

The Head of Place and Space explained that as the open spaces working group had not yet met; therefore, the Play Area Improvements ‘Wish List’ would be scheduled for a meeting in the new Municipal Year.

The Work Programme was noted by Members.