Agenda item

Actions.

To view actions arising from the meeting held on 29 November 2023.

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Spalding Town Forum discussed the actions from the previous Forum meeting and updated on each further development.

 

  • Action AN16 – Funding for Spalding In Bloom and recruiting volunteers.
    • Councillor Mark Le Sage had sent an update to the Chairman,  informing that he had touched base with a couple of people regarding the Spalding In Bloom baskets.
    • The Spalding In Bloom representative role had not been replaced, and with no one currently standing forward to take on the voluntary position, it looked unlikely that baskets would be sourced for 2024.
    • Although Councillor M Le Sage would not personally have the capacity to take on this role, he would however offer assistance and support to Spalding In Bloom volunteers.
    • Flower baskets could conceivably be overlooked for 2024, anticipating funding would be available for 2025.

 

  • Action AN17 – Officers to visit other Towns to view the seating offering and choice of materials used – Assistant Director for Strategic Growth and Development.
    • This had been noted, with designs and materials used for seating from similar towns taken into consideration.

 

  • Action AN19 – To review access from the Spalding bus station to Sainsbury’s, & Action AN19a – Assets site visit 21st December 2023.

 

  • The Strategic and Operational Property Manager convened with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing, Leisure Centre Delivery and Spalding Town Improvement, accompanied by David Jones from PEDALS, they surveyed the area in further detail and agreed a plan of action. 
  • This would include the removal of inappropriate graffiti, improved cleanliness, and additional information boards.
  • Some developments to the site, regarding access and safety had already been made, further improvement to the pedestrian crossing was needed.
  • Finger posts had been secured to welcome visitors.
  • Departure timetables had been displayed.
  • The meeting was deemed positive and actions moving in the right direction.
  • Lincolnshire County Council had been approached to provide costings for a Zebra crossing for the site, which would be in the region of £150/200k.
  • It was suggested that there could be enhancement to the frequency of buses going to and from Spalding to Peterborough.
  • Some additional services had already been implemented.

 

  • Action AN20 – To assemble a young adult’s group to present their views on what they require in Spalding Town Centre at the Spalding Town Forum Meetings.
    • Cllr Chauhan had spoken to Spalding Grammar School to ascertain if a group of young students, perhaps with an interest in law and politics would be interested in attending and presenting their ideas to the Spalding Town Forum.
    • The Spalding Grammer School would be interested in working alongside the Spalding Town Forum and would been keen to explore the aforementioned in further detail.
    • Although attending bi monthly meetings would require the schools support it would be something the Forum would be keen to facilitate.
    • Possibilities could be identified after the half term break.

 

  • Action AN21 – To liaise with the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Operational Housing regarding film showings and comfortable seating at the South Holland centre.
    • The Chairman confirmed he would contact the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Operational Housing prior to the next Forum meeting.

 

  • Action AN22 – To provide a CCTV updated data report to the Forum.
    • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing, Leisure Centre Delivery and Spalding Town Improvement provided a CCTV updated data report.
    • The CCTV control room vacancy had been filled, with onsite training taking place.
    • Data for Quarter 1 resulted in seventeen arrests, and thirty-three incidents.
    • Data for Quarter 2 resulted in sixteen arrests and thirty incidents.
    • Data for Quarter 3 resulted in seven arrest and thirty-one incidents.
    • These figures were for Spalding only.
    • Future updates would be provided.
    • Visits to the control room could be arranged for members, where further operational questions could be asked.

 

  • Members raised the following questions.
    • Was the cost of the CCTV value for money?
      • The CCTV was funded by the Police Crime and Commissioner, SHDC Council, and the Home Office, it represented value for money, as not only acts as a crime deterrent but enables evidence for upholding arrests.
    • Would public confidence grow if the data from the CCTV was publicised to the public?
      • Yes, as it would demonstrate how effective the CCTV had been in leading to arrests, fighting crime, and locating missing people. CCTV acts as a crime prevention. Releasing data figures would provide the public with additional confidence in the system.
    • Was the control room vacancy filled by an applicant with local knowledge on the streets and area.
      • The candidate was believed to have local knowledge.

 

  • Action AN23 – To inform the Forum of the opening/closing times of the Sheep market toilets.
    • The question had been put to Environmental Health Services and the Forum were waiting for a response.

 

  • Action AN24 – To provide an estimated cost of an elevated 360 camera above the sheep market toilets.
    • The Chairman of the Forum asked if this had been looked at.

§  The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing, Leisure Centre Delivery and Spalding Town Improvement  advised that this had been scrutinized but could not be made public at this point.

Supporting documents: