KETTERING TOWN FORUM

Meeting held – 6th September 2004 

Present:	Councillor Anderson (Chair), Councillors Bunday, Burton, Civil, Corazzo, Darby, Gordon, Hales, J. Henson, L. Henson, Jones, M. Lynch, S. Lynch, Malin, Mayhew CC, Parker, Smith-Haynes, Tebbutt and Watts CC.

	Joan Neal (Ability Northants), Terry Coleman (Kettering Pubwatch), Eleanor Patrick (Kettering Churches Together), Ingrid Mercer (Northants Libraries and Information Service), James Putt (A6 Towns Forum), Garry Stark (Vice Chair) (Kettering Traders Focus Group), Graham Bale (Kettering Taxi Association), Gilbert Davis (Neighbourhood Watch).

	Brian Mew (Deputy Chief Executive – KBC)
	Richard Haisman ( Head of Environmental Care – KBC)
	Steve Isbister (Head of Environmental Health – KBC)
	Ian White (Forum Administrator)

04.KTF.11	APOLOGIES

	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adams, Don, Freer, King, Lamb, Rennie and Titcombe, and Inspector Dick Aistrop(Kettering Police).

	Mr Graham Bale (Kettering Taxi Association) for lateness.

	Councillor Burton joined the meeting at 7:44pm.

04.KTF.12	MINUTES
		
RESOLVED	that the minutes of the Forum held on 21st June 2004, be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
						
	Members of the Forum received written updates in respect of CCTV in Montagu Street, and details of a meeting between leaders of Kettering Borough Council and the County Council, in respect of highway matters.

04.KTF.13	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

	The Chair of the Forum, Councillor Anderson, declared a personal interest in item 11.

04.KTF.14	PROPOSED RESTRUCTURE OF KETTERING AREA FORUM
		
	Members of the Forum received a report that sought their views in respect of the structure and purpose of the Kettering Area Forum (KAF).Members noted that the County Council was consulting individual Borough/District Councils in Northamptonshire in respect of its Area Committee arrangements, with key objectives of accountable performance, better engagement and improved partnership working. The establishment of the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) Executive Board, which now covered many of KAFs functions, had also indicated a need for review. Details of consultation arrangements were provided, in addition to the existing structure, and the issues which the Town Forum could consider as part of its discussions. Three options were suggested as possible outcomes, namely retaining current arrangements; discontinuing KAF in its current form and re-instating the previous NCC Kettering Area Committee; or strengthening geographical forum arrangements to encompass KAFs role. There were obviously other options available.

	During the Forum's deliberations on the matter, it was clear that there was full support for retaining the Council's three geographic fora in their current format. During discussion, however the following points were raised by various members of the Forum :-

•	Concern about any need for change

•	The minutes of the three Geographic Forums should be fed into the LSP in order that it could act as the co-ordinating body for community-based issues;

•	The funding due to be allocated to the LSP will enhance its ability to undertake this role;

•	The terms of reference of the LSP and KAF should be reviewed and re-considered;

•	The following concerns were raised about the LSP:-

-	Transparency
-	Democratic Accountability
-	Limited circulation of items

•	Concern was expressed with regard to the perceived reduction in Kettering Borough Council input to KAF;

•	Representation and Voting Rights were seen as key issues for both the KAF and the LSP

•	Concern was expressed about clarity of roles in the current arrangements – replication and duplication were perceived problems

•	It would be useful for there to be a county-wide examination of how other Districts operate their arrangements;

	Having considered the matter fully, it was 		

					AGREED that :-

i)	the Borough Council's three geographic fora should be retained;

ii)	the points listed above should be referred to the Area Forum in response to its consultation on this matter.

04.KTF.15	POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS

	Inspector Aistrop of Kettering Police had been scheduled to present to members of the Forum in respect of the deployment of Police Community Support Officers in Kettering. However, Inspector Aistrop had been called away on an operational matter shortly before the meeting and was unable to attend. Notwithstanding this, some members of the Forum requested that the item be considered in his absence. Consequently, Councillor Parker proposed, Councillor Jones seconded and it was

AGREED that the item be deferred to the next meeting of the Forum.

				(For the motion 9, Against 4)

04.KTF.16	WASTE RECYCLING

	A report was submitted that updated and advised members of the Forum in respect of the work being carried out on recycling in the Borough. The report detailed initiatives undertaken by the County Council at the Cunliffe Drive Waste Recycling Centre, and also provided details of the Borough Council's new Kerbside Collection Scheme.

	Members noted the improved arrangements at the Recycling Centre, but expressed the desire that there would continue to be improvements.

	With regard to the Borough Council's Recycling Launch, all those involved were thanked for their efforts. However, it was noted that certain sectors of the community had not been aware of the Road Closures associated with the recent launch, and it was undertaken to re-examine the procedure for this.

04.KTF.17	HOUSING STOCK OPTIONS APPRAISAL
		
	Members of the Forum received a report that detailed the Council's approach to its Housing Stock Options Appraisal. Members were appraised of the consultation procedures and the main issues that had arisen so far.

04.KTF.18	GRASS VERGE CUTTING

	A report was submitted to the Forum that provided information about the delivery of the Grass Verge Cutting Service during 2004, and which outlined future developments in relation to this service. Members noted the reasons for the extended periods between cuts during the 2004 mowing season, and the steps taken to alleviate the problems. Specific local issues raised during the discussion on the matter were noted, and Forum members were assured that action would be taken as appropriate.

		AGREED	that:-	
	
i)	the information regarding grass cutting be noted; and

ii)	the plans for improving service reliability and timeliness for 2005 detailed in the report, be acknowledged.

04.KTF.19	LICENSING IN KETTERING TOWN CENTRE

	Members of the Forum received a detailed report that advised them in respect of the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003, and its impact on Kettering.

	Concern was expressed that the new legislation was muddled, and restricted the flexibility of Council's in their new role. The likely impact of extending licensing hours for pubs in residential areas was noted, as was the likely requirement of organisations having to obtain licences where they had not been required previously.

	However, members were informed that the prevention of public nuisance was a key component when considering licence applications, and that each application would be considered on its merits. The guidance received so far indicated that the process would be cost-neutral to local authorities, as costs could be re-couped. The introduction of the requirement for applicants to undertake risk assessments before submitting an application was seen as a positive additional tool in the licensing process. Overall, it was considered that the new legislation would reduce the bureaucracy involved currently in applying to different bodies for varying types of licences.

	Members were urged to respond to the consultation paper issued in respect of the matter.

04.KTF.20	ON STREET DRINKING 
		
	Prior to consideration of this item, the Chair declared a personal interest in the matter as a Town Centre Licencee, and left the meeting for its duration. Garry Stark (Deputy Chair) took the Chair.

	During consideration of the matter, Councillor Watts CC also declared a personal interest in the matter as the proprietor of a food premises in the Town Centre.

	Terry Coleman, the Chair of Pubwatch, requested members of the Forum to give consideration to supporting a ban of on-street drinking in Kettering, due to the number of incidents of violence and intimidation around the town centre, particularly in the evening.

	Members of the Forum noted the process for the introduction of a byelaw to achieve such a ban, and were informed that the Police had indicated their support in principle for this inititaive. However, members were also anxious to avoid any impact on the permissions granted to public houses permitting tables and chairs to be placed outside, as it felt that this enhanced the street scene, particularly in the summer months.

	Members of the Forum were broadly in favour of a ban, but it was hoped that the Police would be able to enforce it properly, with the assistance of operational CCTV camera. The Forum also noted that any byelaw would need to ensure that a ban  was effective at all times of day.

	Having considered the matter, the Forum

		AGREED that:-

i)	the Police be requested to provide a response in respect of this matter at the next meeting of the Forum:

ii)	any byelaw introduced should ensure that permissions granted to public houses  for outside areas for eating and drinking, should not be affected; and

iii)	a report detailing how a byelaw might be introduced in respect of this matter, be brought to the next Forum meeting.

	(NB: The Chair returned to the meeting after consideration of the above item)

04.KTF.21	PERIODIC ELECTORAL REVIEW

	Members of the Forum received a report notifying them of the forthcoming Periodic Electoral Review of the Borough of Kettering. The report detailed the various stages and purpose of the review, and gave details of its potential impact on Wards within the Town. members of the Forum were invited to submit representations on behalf of either themselves or their organisations directly to the Boundary Committee for England, who would be conducting the review. It was requested that copies should be sent to the Council to enable its Task and Finish Group considering these issues to take them on board.

	Members of the Forum noted that a report would be submitted detailing the content of the Borough Council's draft submission at their next meeting. 

04.KTF.22	NORTHAMPTONSHIRE LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SERVICES – DRAFT PLAN
		
	Members of the Forum were invited to forward comments directly to the County Council in respect of this Plan.

04.KTF.23	ROAD HUMPS IN KETTERING

	A report was submitted that provided details of the inventory of road humps undertaken by the County Council Sustainable Transport Service, as a result of information submitted by the Kettering Borough Taxi Forum to this Forum in January 2004. The report identified road humps which did not meet regulations, and outlined remedial action planned. The Taxi Forum was thanked for its work on this matter.

04.KTF.24	KETTERING TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN – CONSULTATION MEETING

	A report was submitted that informed members of proposals for a public consultation on a Kettering Town Centre Masterplan, and suggested that members of the Forum be invited to attend one of the Stakeholder Workshops being held in respect of this issue. Copies of the draft plan would be available in mid-September.

AGREED  that	members of the Forum attend the stakeholder workshop on Tuesday 12th October 2004, to discuss the Kettering Towen Centre Masterplan.

04.KTF.25	DATE OF NEXT MEETING AND AGENDA ITEMS

The next meeting of the Forum would be held on Monday 6th December, 2004 starting at 7.00pm.Agenda items to include :-

Police Community Support Officers - Deployment in Kettering
		On Street Drinking
		Periodic Electoral Review
		CCTV in Montagu Street (Verbal)

(The meeting started at 7:00pm and ended at 9:05pm)

Signed______________________________
Chair