Minutes:
The Chief Executive reported there were two questions tabled.
One from Councillor Paula Ashleigh-Morris directed to Councillor Paul Skinner, Leader of the Council and one from Mr D Broughton directed to Councillor Tracey Abbott.
The question tabled by Mr S Roberts directed to Councillor Paul Skinner could not be asked at Mr Roberts was not in attendance.
Question asked by Councillor Paula Ashleigh-Morris pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution:-
As the County Councillor for Boston West Division, I am particularly concerned that CCTV coverage ends before the end West Street heading out of town. Could you please update me on what plans the Council has for improving and extending CCTV coverage along West Street and further outwards, to enhance the safety and wellbeing of the residents I represent?
Response by Councillor Paul Skinner, Lead of the Council:
I thank Councillor Ashleigh-Morris for her question.
We are currently looking at an extra camera location in this area, funded as part of the Safer Streets project. The hope is that this location will be somewhere in the area of the West Street / Sleaford Road roundabout. This will fill a gap between our furthest West Street camera (on the Wickes building), and the next camera along the chain (which is on Lister Way).
We have employed a company to conduct a structural survey of an LCC lighting column in that area, to see if it will safely take a CCTV installation (as required by LCC Highways). Depending on the results of the survey we will then apply to LCC for permission to install camera equipment on the column.
Should the result of the survey prove negative, we will then need to look at other options such as the installation of a dedicated CCTV column, or seek permission from LCC to install CCTV on their traffic camera column at the junction of Lister Way/Sleaford Road.
Councillor Ashleigh-Morris did not raise a supplementary question but did congratulate the portfolio holder and team stating the work being undertaken was very good news and perhaps the Council could look at furthering the CCTV provision in the future.
Question asked by Mr D Broughton pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution:-
As portfolio holder for the town centre could you tell me what impact the Christmas lights, or should I say lack of them, had on shop retailers leading up to Christmas compared to previous years?
Response by Councillor Tracey Abbott:
I thank Mr Broughton for his notice of question:
I am able to share the positive news that footfall in Boston during the month of December is the highest since 2019.
Data shows that:
2022 compared to 2019 increase by 12%
2022 compared to 2020 increase by 65%
2022 compared to 2021 increase by 30%
The response is late, and I apologise for the lateness, but this was in order that the most up to date data could be obtained from records.
Supplementary Question
The figures provided did not show pre-covid footfall, was it possible to see figures for that time and had the Portfolio Holder met with retailers to see if they had seen an increase in footfall and if so, which retailers had she met with?
Response by Councillor Tracey Abbott:
It was not for the portfolio holder to go and visit retailers, I believe there will be communication with them once the outcomes were assessed.