Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Kenyon and N Ward.

Councillors Betson, Moyies, Norman MBE, Terry (Executive Councillors) – interests in the referred/called-in items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011.

The relevant Executive Councillors responded to written questions that had been received from members of the public.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 25^th January 2016 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Members are reminded to bring with them the most recent MPR for end February 2016, circulated recently. 

Comments/questions should be made at the appropriate Scrutiny Committee relevant to the subject matter.

The Committee considered Minute 712 of Cabinet held on 15th March 2016, together with the Monthly Performance Report (MPR) covering the period to end February 2016, which had been circulated recently.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.

(Minute 723 – Cabinet Book 2, item 18 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Nevin, Robinson, Mulroney and Crystall

The Committee considered Minute 723 of Cabinet held on Tuesday 15^th March 2016, which had been called in for scrutiny, together with the report of the Corporate Director for Place updating Members on the progress of the “Southend Central Area Transport Scheme” and set out proposals to take the scheme forward.

The Committee discussed the matter in detail and asked a number of questions which the Executive Councillor for Public Protection, Waste and Transport and officers responded to.  However, in the light of the issues raised and the concerns expressed by the Committee, particularly in relation to the proposed mechanism for considering appeals in exceptional circumstances, it was:

Resolved:-

That the matter be referred back to Cabinet with the concurrence of the portfolio holder for Public Protection, Waste & Transport:

(a)  To address concerns raised about the proposed appeal panel and to consider alternative appeal mechanisms including the existing Appeals Committees or the Cabinet Committee in conjunction with Traffic and Parking Working Party; and

(b)  To facilitate other minor adjustments identified at the Committee with a view to new policy document in full (incorporating appropriate amendments) being presented to Cabinet which would be available for further scrutiny by the Committee.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillor:- Terry

Report of Director for Public Health

Note: This is also to be considered by the People Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on Tuesday 12^th April 2015

(This is a pre-Cabinet Scrutiny item.)

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director for Public Health and Corporate Director for Place by way of pre-Cabinet Scrutiny.  This sought the Committee's views on the contents of the draft Southend-on-Sea Physical Activity Strategy 2016-2021.

The Committee discussed the report in detail, and whilst there was general consensus and support of the content of the draft strategy the Committee made a number of comments and suggestions for inclusion in the strategy.

Resolved:-

That the draft Southend-on-Sea Physical Activity Strategy 2016-2021 be noted and endorsed for submission to Cabinet at its meeting on 28th June 2016, with the following comments:

•  Would like the strategy ambitions raised by considering the KPIs as a minimum achievement;

•  Consider how physical activity contributes to reducing obesity and the gap in life expectancy;

•  Improve communication to maximise opportunities particularly in respect of the trial activity sessions identified in the in-depth scrutiny study undertaken by the People Scrutiny Committee last year;

•  Look at ways of helping people feel safer outside in the evening when undertaking physical activity such as the seafront and the Prittlebrook Greenway;

•  Address issues around GP referrals- sustaining physical activity levels in people who complete exercise referral; and

•  Work with the Southend BID to explore innovative ways to increase physical activity opportunities in the town.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillors:- Betson and Moyies

The Committee received an update on the in-depth Scrutiny project regarding 20mph in residential streets.

Resolved:-

That the report be noted

Note:- This is a Scrutiny Function

The Committee thanked the Chairman for the able way in which he had conducted the meetings of the last Municipal Year.  The Chairman thanked the Committee for their contributions and hard work.