To note any substitution of Committee Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

There were none.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L.Brandon and Executive Member, Councillor T.Mitchinson.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2020 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2020 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the status of actions agreed at the last meeting.

The Committee noted the report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) which gave an update on actions from the meeting held on 16 January 2020.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on this Agenda.

CouncillorL.Chesterman declared a non-pecuniary interest in items on the Agenda by virtue of being a Member of Hertfordshire County Council.

Report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) gives an insight into the action taken by Officers within each town centre over the past year and indicates the direction of future developments.

Members considered the report of the Director (Housing and Communities) and a presentation on the action taken by Officers within each town centre over the past year and the direction of future developments including how the team successfully worked in conjunction with Welwyn Garden City BID Partnership Board to help meet its aims and objectives. The team also worked with the Hatfield Town Centre businesses to establish the Hatfield Town Centre Forum.

The following points were raised and discussed:

·         The Covid-19 outbreak was being heavily monitored and future events may need to be cancelled. Contingency plans were being discussed.

·         Members enquired about the increased footfall at events and whether there was enough car parks in the borough. Officers advised that they had not received any negative feedback regarding car parking facilities and that people were encouraged to walk to events or use local buses.

·         Members asked for statistics on increased footfall. Officers would feedback statistics from Elephant Wifi.

RESOLVED

That the Committee note the Town Centres Annual Progress Report 2019-2020 and presentation.

Report and of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) and presentation to inform Members of the work of the Council’s Museum Service over the period April 2019 to March 2020.

Members received the report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) and accompanying presentation on the work of the Council’s Museum Service over the period April 2019 to March 2020.

The Museum Service prepared and delivered an annual report to the SOSC Committee at its last meeting in the municipal year. This enabled committee members to see how the Museum Service had contributed to local community life in the borough through its focus on arts, culture, education and heritage.

The following points were raised and discussed:

·         Members enquired whether road signs could be put up to direct visitors to the Roman Baths. Officers explained that it would require a significant amount of work to get all the necessary information and measurements to Hertfordshire County Council in order to get road signs put up. This work would have to be undertaken by the museum team.

·         There had been 83 applications for the Front of House vacancy. Officers were currently shortlisting the applicants.

·         Members enquired about the income generated from catering. Officers would feedback the information.

RESOLVED

That the Committee note the content of the Museum Service Annual Report 2019-20 and presentation.

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) and accompanying presentation provides the Committee with performance indicator data collected for those services that fall within its remit for Quarter 3 along with comparative information where available.

The Committee received the report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) which provided the Committee with performance indicator data collected for those services that fall within its remit for Quarter 3 along with comparative information where available.

The following point was raised and discussed:

·         Members asked if the impact of reduced staffing levels at Campus West was being monitored. Members advised that from analysing data from the customer satisfaction survey emailed to holders of the Zebra card, there had not been any drop in customer satisfaction.

RESOLVED

That the Committee note the SOSC Performance Indicator data from Quarter 3 2019-20.

Presentation from the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) provides an update on the Council’s Safeguarding Policy.

The Committee received a presentation from the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) on the Safeguarding Annual Report.

The following point was raised and discussed:

·         Members asked if they could have a safeguarding information crib sheet. Officers said that they would provide this.

RESOLVED

That the Committee note the presentation on the Safeguarding Annual Report.

Presentation from the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) provides an update on the Council’s Equality Scheme.

The Committee received a presentation from the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) on the Equality Scheme Annual Report.

The following points were raised and discussed:

·         Members advised that the Crematorium Association had said that the public disabled toilets did not have a ‘Not every disability is visible’ sign on them. Would it be possible to have one? Officers suggested that the Crematorium Association were invited to the next Equality Scheme meeting where this could be discussed.

·         Members asked for data on the gender divide for top management and Heads of Service. Officers would email the information to Members.

RESOLVED

That the Committee note the presentation on the Equality Scheme Annual Update.