Agenda item

DECISION

1.    That the findings be noted and thanks conveyed to the Members and Officers involved in the Task and Finish Group and Environment & Performance Committee for their well-considered and thorough scrutiny work; and their recommendations at Appendix A be agreed and accepted in full.

2.    That responsibility be delegated to the Assistant Director Regulation to take forward the recommendations, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder and Chairman of the Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC).

Portfolio Holders and Officer

PS / JS/ CA

REASON FOR DECISION

Councillor Judith Skinner, Madam Chairman of the Environment and Performance Scrutiny Committee, presented the findings and recommendations from the Task and Finish Group set up by the Committee to carry out a review on regulating and safeguarding Boston’s economy.

Councillor Skinner explained that the previous year, at a meeting of the Committee, Members were appraised of ongoing public concern in respect of anti-social behaviour within the borough, particularly relating to the use and control of alcohol both on and off premises in the town.

Committee Members agreed that it would be useful to undertake a piece of scrutiny work and established a Task and Finish Group in order to do so. Following an initial scoping meeting, the Task and Finish Group agreed that a review of the regulation and safeguarding arrangements for the economy of Boston should be undertaken to address public concerns.

The Task and Finish Group diligently set about their task and talked to many stakeholders with an interest in the subject, and informed by the findings of a public consultation exercise that returned over 150 responses. Stakeholders engaged included the Police, Licensing professionals, community group representatives and many partners with discussion supported by data provided on antisocial behaviour, crime and CCTV reports.

The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the review; however, the Task and Finish Group concluded their work with a report to the parent committee on 3^rd November 2020. The report and the supporting appendices that the Committee received clearly demonstrated the diligence of Members, officers and partners involved in the review, and delivered 13 recommendations, which were robust and wholly supported by the Committee.

The request before Cabinet was an invitation to thank Members and officers of the Task And Finish Group and the parent Committee for their outstanding work, accept the  recommendations attached at appendix A in their entirety, and agree to them being taken forward, set out as follows:

1.         Cabinet determine to note the findings and to thank the Members and Officers involved in the Task and Finish (T&F) Group / Environment and Performance (E&P) Committee for their well-considered and thorough scrutiny work; and agree to accept in full their recommendations at appendix A.

2.         Cabinet delegate responsibility to the Assistant Director Regulation to take forward the recommendations, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder/Chair of Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC).

The Leader thanked all involved for their thorough work and gave full support to the recommendations.

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

To dismiss or amend the recommendations at Appendix A in this report.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.