Agenda and minutes

Venue: St. Mary's Centre, Church Street, Clitheroe, BB7 2DG (Opposite the Council Chambers)

Contact: Mike Hill 

Items
No. Item

117.

Appointment of Chair for 2021/2022

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

That Parish Councillor Martin Highton (Whalley) be appointed as Chairman for this Committee for 2021/2022.

 

118.

Appointment of Vice Chair for 2021/2022

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Gary Scott be appointed as Vice-Chairman for this Committee for 2021/2022.

 

119.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received for Borough Councillor Simon Hore.

 

Apologies were also received from the following Parish Representatives:

J. Evans          Balderstone

C. Curry          Bolton-by-Bowland /Sawley/Gisburn Forest

S. Rosthorn     Newsholme and Paythorn

C. Pollard        Read

C. Baird           Waddington

D. Taylor         Waddington

 

120.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 196 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 April 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

121.

Declarations of pecuniary and non pecuniary interests

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interest.

 

122.

Chief Constable of Lancashire - Presentation pdf icon PDF 616 KB

A presentation by the Chief Constable of Lancashire setting out his view on policing in the short and medium term, followed by a short Q and A session.

Minutes:

The Committee welcomed Mr Chris Rowley, Lancashire’s newly appointed Chief Constable, Chief Inspector Marie Jackson, and Inspector Andy Ainsworth.

Inspector Ainsworth reminded members that:

·      The Ribble Valley was the largest Borough geographically in the County, and whilst it is a beautiful area to live, its rural villages attract property crime such as burglary and agricultural crime such as theft of agricultural equipment and vehicles. 

·      The vibrant night-time economy in Whalley, Clitheroe and Longridge required a visible police presence to reduce drug dealing, violence against the person and anti-social behaviour. 

·      Resources were required to deal with speeding on rural roads and the theft of vehicles by out-of-town gangs from roads and driveways.

 

Inspector Ainsworth then set out the initiatives the police were introducing to combat crime in the area and highlighted the success the Rural Task Force had already achieved.

 

Chief Constable Chris Rowley stated that he would work with the Council and local councillors to ensure that the Ribble Valley had the police resources it needed and that there would be an even distribution of resources throughout Lancashire.

 

Mr Chris Rowley, Chief Inspector Marie Jackson and Inspector Andy Ainsworth answered a range of questions including the use and effectiveness of CCTV, the opening of Clitheroe Police Station, how the constabulary bids for funds, road safety measures and communications between the constabulary and the Council.

The presentation by Inspector Ainsworth is attached to these minutes.

 

123.

Matters brought forward by Parish Councils

124.

Parliamentary Boundaries in Lancashire pdf icon PDF 159 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor David Peat requested an update on the Parliamentary Boundaries Review which had been announced by the Independent Electoral Commission and how the review might affect the Ribble Valley Parliamentary Constituency.

The Chief Executive informed members that a report on the review had been submitted to the Policy and Finance Committee on the 22 June 2021, where it was resolved that the Committee delegate the formulation of a response to the Boundary Commission for England to the Chief Executive in consultation with a Task and Finish group, comprising Councillors S Atkinson, S Hore, D Peat, M Hindle, J Hill, S Fletcher and R Thompson.

 

The report submitted to the 22 June Policy and Finance Committee is attached to these minutes.

 

125.

Dog Theft - Verbal update

Verbal Update from the Head of Regeneration and Housing

Minutes:

The Head of Regeneration and Housing updated the meeting in relation to the dog theft campaign.  He advised that the Council’s Partnership Officer, has drawn together a series of information sheets and posters, utilising the information supplied by Mellor Parish Council, Councillors Horkin and Mirfin, and the Neighbourhood Watch Group.

 

A series of posters have been prepared by the Council’s print-unit, these will be distributed to parishes for display on noticeboards, together with an awareness information sheet that can be displayed and given out to residents.

 

The Council’s new Dog Warden will help distribute the materials when out on patrol and will be holding promotional events at key locations such as Clitheroe Market, the Station Buildings in Longridge and at popular walking locations.  In addition, a small gazebo with themed bannering is being procured which will create a focal point for the campaign.

 

Regarding dog waste and refuse collections, members were advised that the Council is continuing to progress a review and it is anticipated that an update would be provided at the next meeting of this Committee.

 

126.

CPR Training Manikins

Minutes:

Roger Hirst the clerk at Simonstone Parish Council informed members that he had several cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPR) training manikins that could be made available for use by councils as part of a training package that he is looking to set up.

 

Councillor Brian Holden suggested that the offer should also be made to local football clubs.

 

127.

Date and time of next meeting

Minutes:

The Chairman informed the committee that the next meeting would be on Thursday 16 September at 6.30pm.