There was one change of membership for this meeting: Councillor Collett replaced Councillor Greenslade.

The Lead Member for Shared Services, Councillor Matthew Bedford (Three Rivers District Council), had sent his apologies.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2014 to be submitted and signed.

Copies of the minutes of this meeting are usually available seven working days following the meeting.

(All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2014 were submitted and signed.

Report of the Partnerships and Performance Section Head

This report provides the Panel with the relevant performance indicators for Quarter 2 2014/15.

The Panel received a report of the Partnership and Performance Section Head providing the quarterly performance indicators for quarter two of 2014/15.

The Partnership and Performance Section Head introduced the report and invited questions.

In response to a question from Councillor Dhindsa, the Partnership and Performance Section Head explained the structure of the report and how to interpret the various symbols, targets and trends. She commented that the analysis provided context for the results so members had a fuller picture of performance.

The Chair asked if there were any questions on pages five to seven in relation to the Veolia contract and there were none.

With reference to item LC5 in the report, Councillor Dhindsa asked what were the percentages for memberships that met council targets.  The Partnership and Performance Section Head explained that this was not measured last year (hence there was no results shown for 2013/14) but there will be baseline data to compare next year.   With further reference to item LC5, in response to a question from the Chair, the Partnership and Performance Section Head explained that the 29.4% BME membership of Woodside was below the proportion for Watford as a whole, which includes all those who are not  White British  (such as Eastern European members of the community).

With reference to item LC1 in the report, Councillor Counter commented that there was no information as to what the complaints were; in effect the data gave a feel for the situation but lacked detail.  The Partnership and Performance Section Head explained SLM were working on providing more detailed data.

ACTION – Partnership and Performance Section Head

With further reference to item LC1 in the report, Councillor Collett complimented SLM with regard to their agreement to meet local people to discuss some of the complaints relating to the Woodside Leisure Centre.

With reference to item LC11 in the report, Councillor Counter commented that more information would be helpful with regard to the complaints and compliments but she appreciated that this was work in progress.

With reference to item LC15 in the report, Councillor Martins considered that the comments outlining why there were dark days were more excuses than reasons.  He felt that income was being reduced due to the number of these days and suggested that community use should be encouraged with the possibility of setting up a special group to examine the issue.  Councillor Counter commented that dark days were sometimes unavoidable due to cancellations.  Councillor Scudder mentioned that getting greater flexibility from the BBC tenant would enable better use to be made of the facility.  Councillor Hastrick discussed her marketing experience and was of the view that cancellations to events were unavoidable as it was not possible to plan a year in advance with certainty; consequently, flexibility for the BBC was vital.  Councillor Dhindsa commented that there used to be days set aside for community events (in the region of six a year) and asked how such events were advertised.  The Partnership and Performance Section  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Panel will receive a presentation of the Environmental Services Client Manager (Parks & Streets).

The Panel received a presentation from the Client Manager Parks and Streets on the operation of the Veolia Contract – Parks and Streets.

During the presentation Councillor Dhindsa commented that fly tipping was a problem in west Watford (particularly in relation to discarded mattresses) and asked whether analysis could be conducted at the village level.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that the software allowed for drilling down to determine hot spots.

Councillor Hastrick raised the issue of overgrowing trees in North Western Avenue (an unadopted road) that were causing problems to residents and asked how this issue could be resolved as it was private land.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets asked that Councillor Hastrick send him the details and he would progress the matter.

ACTION – The Client Manager Parks and Streets

Councillor Collett asked why there had been no award ceremony for the Green Flag award in Woodside.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that there had only been a ceremony in Oxhey this year but he was looking to expand this more widely in 2015.

Councillor Dhindsa commented that there seemed to be a poor service from Hertfordshire County Council with regard to the maintenance of overgrown hedges.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that previously issues were reported to WBC but now reports were made direct at the county level.  However, if problems were experienced he asked that Councillor Dhindsa should inform him and he would take matters forward.

At the end of the presentation the Chair asked if Members had any questions.

Councillor Dhindsa expressed the view that since Veolia had taken over the contract all was not negative; with the graffiti removal service extremely good.  However, he expressed concern about the street cleaning service in Vicarage and Whippendell Roads making particular reference to leaves not being properly cleared from the surrounds of a local school.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that Veolia had a cleaning plan with regards to leaf removal but their deposit on the streets was somewhat weather dependent (such as in windy weather).  Consequently, the problem could return quite quickly after initial removal.  As a result, Veolia did not have a set measurable standard but rather would respond to issues as they arose and return to the same location where necessary.

In response to a question from Councillor Joynes about the methodology for clearing chewing gum from streets, the Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that this was removed by Veolia in response to reports.  Such removal was priced in to the contract and he advised that the Councillor should report any issues to him and he could then give instruction to Veolia to clear.

Councillor Scudder returned to the issue of leaf clearing explaining that he had recently been talking with the contractor.  They had commented that this had been a particularly bad year for leaf deposits as the autumn period had been elongated.  Consequently, demands on their services had been greater putting  added  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

The Panel are asked to consider any conclusions and recommendations arising from the item on parks and streets.

These were as follows:

·        The Client Manager Parks and Streets to progress the issue of overgrown trees in North Western Avenue with Veolia.

·        The Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets to investigate the issue of overflowing bins in Harwoods and Chester Roads.

·        The Contract and Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets to find out how frequently subways were cleaned.

·        The Client Manager Parks and Streets to try to obtain more detailed information in the Performance Report regarding complaints at item ES14.

·        The Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets to provide the Panel with details of the findings of research conducted in to recycling at the Wiggenhall Depot and to inform the Panel how Veolia publicised recycling schemes to the public.

·        The Client Manager Parks and Streets to check why the Cassiobury cricket pitch was not roped off out of season.

·        The Client Manager Parks and Streets to examine the staffing capacity deployed at the Woodside ward.

The latest update on actions is attached.  The Panel is asked to make any comments and note which actions can be signed off as completed.

The Panel received a report of the Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer updating Members on outstanding actions from previous meetings.

With regard to item PR9 in the report - the Partnership and Performance Section Head introduced a short paper providing details of customer satisfaction levels at the Palace Theatre.  Councillor Dhindsa commented that both cafes in the premises were small resulting in large queues during intervals.  He asked that information be included in the Performance Report about the use made of the theatre by ethnic minority groups and also in relation to the age of patrons.

ACTION - Partnership and Performance Section Head

Councillor Joynes commented that it appeared the age of people attending the theatre had increased due to fewer younger people’s events being held.

ACTION - Partnership and Performance Section Head to ask the theatre about the youth programme and provide information to the Panel

The Chair then reminded the Panel of the proposed visit by Members to the Woodside Leisure Centre on Tuesday 9^th December 2014, at 6.30p.m. and encouraged attendance.

With regard to item PR16 in the report - the Partnership and Performance Section Head introduced a further short paper outlining the most common reasons exercise classes were cancelled at leisure centres.  Councillor Joynes commented that really popular classes should be put on more frequently .

With regard to item PR17 in the report - the Partnership and Performance Section head clarified for Councillor Dhindsa that the table included the percentages of the various groups in relation to the population of Watford as a whole.  Councillor Dhindsa commented that usage of the leisure centres by those aged over 55 and people with a disability appeared to be low.  The Partnership and Performance Section Head said that there may be many reasons for this; such as non-declaration by users as to their age or disability.  Also, the over 55’s may go elsewhere because of the variety of choice available to them and preferences for exercise options.  The Chair asked that the issue of apparent low usage by the disabled and those aged over 55 be raised with SLM at the Panel meeting in January.

ACTION - Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer

Councillor Dhindsa raised concerns about the manner in which some Central Leisure Centre staff may be addressing certain sections of the community attending swimming.  The Chair asked that the matter be raised with SLM at the Panel meeting in January.

ACTION - Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer

With regard to item PR19 in the report - the Chair asked if there was now any data to hand.  The Partnership and Performance Section Head that she should shortly be in a position to circulate the information to the Panel.

ACTION - Partnership and Performance Section Head

The Chair inquired whether there was any information as to climbing wall usage at the leisure centres.  It was decided this matter should be raised at the meeting with SLM in January.

ACTION - Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer

Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The Panel are asked to review the attached work programme and to consider which strategic issues they would like to focus on at the meeting with SLM in January.

The Chair introduced the Work Programme and asked for any questions - there were none.

The Chair asked what strategic issues the Panel would like to focus on at the meeting with SLM in January.  In addition to the items raised under the ‘Update on Actions above’, the Panel wished the following matters to be discussed at the meeting:

·          Cleanliness, redecoration, equipment replacement and maintenance issues (such as the length of time taken for repairs).

·          How to meet demand to ensure effective usage.

ACTION - Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer