There was a change of membership for this meeting: Councillor Martins replaced Councillor Collett.

Apologies were received from Councillor Joynes.

There were no disclosures of interests.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2015 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 18 November 2015 were submitted and signed.

Report of the Section Head – Culture and Play

The report and appendices provide information on the Big Events series, lessons learnt from the previous year and how these have influenced the development of year 2.

The Scrutiny Committee received a report of the Culture and Play Section Head setting out an overview of the Big Events series.  It included the lessons learnt from the previous year and how they had influenced the programme in year two; marketing information and analysis; footfall data and the involvement of local businesses.

The Culture and Play Section Head informed the Scrutiny Committee that the Big Events had been successful in increasing more footfall into the Town Centre.  It also demonstrated the important role arts and culture could provide in helping to support the regeneration of the town.  A short video was played and the Culture and Play Section Head said that this illustrated one of the aims of the Big Event series, which was to create memories for people.

Councillor Martins commented that the events were fantastic, however he felt there had been a missed opportunity in relation to advertising.  Those people visiting Intu were missing out on the events.  There needed to be a more aggressive approach to advertising.

The Culture and Play Section Head advised that the street banners had started at the Lower High Street and provided increased visibility.  The most effective advertising had been through social media.  It was recognised that more work needed to take place with the new Business Improvement District (BID) and Intu.

The Head of Community and Customer Services added that social media had been important for publicising the events.  He explained how Mumsnet had circulated positive messages about the Big Beach, encouraging people to go.

The Culture and Play Section Head said that the Council’s Communications Team had provided exceptional support over the last year.  The service had brought in people with really good social media experience and skills.  There were many messages which had been retweeted on social media sites and the coverage was extensive.  In the future people would be able to register their interest and they could then be sent direct social media messages relevant to their interests.

Councillor Hastrick advised that she had attended many of the events in her role as Chairman of Watford Borough Council.  She had heard numerous people making positive comments and that they could not believe it was happening in Watford.

Councillor Rindl noted the reference to the Watford Metropolitan Line extension in the report.  She felt that accessibility was important and that it would be a shame if the station on Cassiobury Park Avenue was to close.

The Chair acknowledged the Councillor’s comments, but stated that two new stations were to be created.

In response to a question from Councillor Khan about sharing costs with local businesses, the Culture and Play Section Head advised that officers were very mindful of costs and the amount of funding currently available could not be guaranteed in future years.  He had reviewed the tendering process and explained the approach used with the contractor for the ice rink.  This had enabled the Council to cap the risk to itself.  It would also receive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Report of Heritage and Arts Manager / Museum Curator

The report and the presentation at the meeting provide an overview of the Watford Museum service, objectives, its performance and future plans, including the Heritage Lottery Fund project. .

The Scrutiny Committee received a report of the Museum and Heritage Manager.  Prior to the start of the meeting, Councillors were given a tour of the Museum and informed about some of the collections on display, which showed some of Watford’s heritage. 

The Museum and Heritage Manager provided the Scrutiny Committee with some background information about the Museum, including the building, the number of items within the collection and details of the staffing and volunteer arrangements.  She advised that there were two key performance indicators which were monitored –

·               the number of visitors to the Museum, including school and group visits

·               the number of school children visiting the museum

The Museum and Heritage Manager explained the Museum’s objectives –

1          Delivery of Arts Council and VAQAS Accredited Museum and Tourist Attraction

The accreditation scheme covered the governance of the Museum, sustainability, the business plan, duty of care to the town, the audience and the collections.  The Museum had recently been awarded a tourism rosette.  A code of ethics was required as not all donations could be accepted.  If a museum lost its accreditation, this was a significant matter and would often be a national news story.

2          Collections care and development

A collection policy was necessary and set out the requirements for any items to be included in the collections.  Items needed to have a connection to Watford.  It was important to take into consideration the temperature of rooms and the display cabinets, the surrounding humidity, the vibrations internally and externally affecting the building and the control of pests.  Staff continually received refresher training. 

3          Raising the profile of the Museum Service

The Museum would soon have its own social media links.  This would help to promote the Museum to a wider audience.  A programme of activities and events was created, some of which took place at the Museum but also in other locations.  The Museum had participated in events across the town.

4          Partnership working and audience development

A list of the Museum’s partners was provided to the Scrutiny Committee.  The latest partner was ‘May contain nuts’.  The wide variety of partners showed the range and diversity of work the Museum was involved in.  The work also included co-ordinating the Heritage Open Day scheme in Watford.  The team had worked with Planning Policy on the restoration of the tombs at St Mary’s.

5          Learning and outreach

The team would be involved in the forthcoming Big Wordfest, which included an event at the Museum about Roald Dahl. 

6.         Staff and volunteer development

The staff and volunteers were provided with ongoing training opportunities.

The Museum and Heritage Manager then explained about the Heritage Lottery Fund Project, entitled – ‘Re-engaging with Watford’s past’.  She showed initial designs of the possible redevelopment.  It was necessary to be mindful of the listed status of the building.  The development would provide opportunities for a new visitor entrance, new galleries which would improve the display of the collections.  It would help  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review the outstanding actions and questions from previous meetings.

The Scrutiny Committee received a list of outstanding actions and questions.  Members noted the updates. 

Councillor Rindl noted that PI 39 had been removed following the last meeting and asked for an explanation.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer explained that following the meeting in November it was felt that this action had been completed.  The early reference to complaints about Revenues and Benefits had been superseded due the services improved performance.  At the March meeting Overview and Scrutiny Committee would receive the latest performance information.  If Members still felt there was a concern about complaints a new action could be added. 

RESOLVED –

that the update be noted.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review the latest edition of the Executive Decision Progress Report and consider whether any further information is required.

The Scrutiny Committee received the latest edition of the Executive Decision Progress Report 2015/16. 

Councillor Khan noted that the decision on Leggatts Campus had been made in November.  He asked to see the report which had been presented to the Portfolio Holder in making his decision.

Following a question from Councillor Rindl about the Skillmakers report, the Committee and Scrutiny Officer explained that the report was due to be presented to Cabinet in February.  All Councillors would be notified when the agenda had been published and was available online. 

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.

Councillor Hastrick, the Council’s appointed representative to the County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee to provide an update.

Councillor Kareen Hastrick, the Council’s appointed representative to the Health Scrutiny Committee, informed Members that the Scrutiny Committee had met earlier that day.  They had been informed about the transportation of people to hospital.  She would ensure that the report related to West Herts was circulated to all Watford Councillors.  In addition the Scrutiny Committee had received a report from the East of England Ambulance service, which was on a par with the rest of the country.  However, it was still not good.  This report would also be made available to Councillors.

RESOLVED –

that the update be noted and reports circulated as available.

Since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Budget Panel has met on the following occasions –

·               1 December 2015

·               13 January 2016

The minutes are available on the Council’s website – www.watford.gov.uk/budgetscrutiny

The Chair of Budget Panel to provide an update to the Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Khan, Chair of Budget Panel, stated that the minutes had been published for the last two meetings and were available online.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer advised that the Panel had made a recommendation to Cabinet about the increase in burial fees.  Prior to the meeting the Head of Corporate Strategy and Client Services had reviewed the original recommendation and submitted amendments to Cabinet which were agreed.

RESOLVED –

that the update be noted.

Since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel met on the following occasions –

·               26 November 2015

·               19 January 2016

The minutes are available on the Council’s website - http://watford.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=223

The Chair of Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel to provide an update to the Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Crout, Chair of the Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel, informed the Scrutiny Committee that the Panel had met on Tuesday at Watford Leisure Centre Woodside when it had reviewed SLM.

The Chair added that he had also been at the meeting and had asked for further information on the ethnic make up of the staff. 

RESOLVED –

that the update be noted.

Since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Community Safety Task Group has met on the following occasion –

·               20 January 2016

The minutes are available on the Council’s website - http://watford.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=209

The Chair of the Community Safety Partnership Task Group to provide an update to the Scrutiny Committee.

In the absence of Councillor S Williams, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership Task Group, Councillor Martins reported that the Task Group had had a good dialogue with a door supervisor and a representative from Pubwatch.  The overall impression was that the town was safe.  There had also been a presentation from the Fire service.  The officer had said that the service was keen to do more work with the community.

RESOLVED –

that the update be noted.

The Chair of the Management of Conservation Areas Task Group to update Overview and Scrutiny Committee on its progress.

Councillors Martins, the Chair of the Task Group, informed Councillors that the Task Group had to date spoken with officers on the procedures and management of conservation areas.  The next step, taking place on Tuesday 26 January, was to meet residents and listen to their views.

The Chair asked that all Councillors be provided with a copy of the poster that had been given to those Councillors with a conservation area within their ward.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer explained that the posters had been given to those who had a conservation area in their ward in order to promote the session on 26 January and the online survey.  A smaller version of the poster had been delivered to all households.

In response to a question from the Chair, Councillor Martins responded that the issue of funding in conservation areas was not part of the Task Group’s role.  It was currently looking at the management of the areas.

RESOLVED –

that the update be noted.

·               Thursday 4 February 2016 (For call-in only)

·               Thursday 25 February 2016 (For call-in only)

·               Thursday 3 March 2016

·               Thursday 4 February 2016 (For call-in only)

·               Thursday 25 February 2016 (For call-in only)

·               Thursday 3 March 2016