Agenda and minutes

To report any changes to the membership.

1.1           The Chairman sought any absences, apologies or substitutions to the Committee’s membership.

1.2           There were no changes to the Committee’s membership

To receive declarations by Member and Officers of any personal or prejudicial interests in matters on this agenda.

2.1      The Chairman sought any personal or prejudicial interests in respect of the items to be discussed from members and officers, in addition to the standing declarations previously made.

2.2      There were no declarations made.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2018

RESOLVED:

3.1      That the Minutes of the City Management and Public Protection Policy and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 June 2018 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record of proceedings.

Councillor Tim Mitchell (Cabinet Member for Environment and City Management) to update the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in his portfolio.

4.1      Councillor Tim Mitchell (Cabinet Member for Environment and City Management) submitted an overview report of his portfolio for noting only.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the report.

Councillor Ian Adams (Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Licensing) to update the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in his portfolio.

5.1      Councillor Ian Adams provided an overview of the Public Protection and Licensing Cabinet Member portfolio including its service areas, priorities for the year ahead and key service updates/issues. The Committee discussed in detail the key updates, which included the organisational restructure of Public Protection and Licensing service, the success of the Notting Hill Carnival community engagement work and the great work carried out by the Rough Sleepers team during the exceptionally hot summer; and the extended Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (SWEP).

5.2      Councillor Adams discussed progress made with the Integrated Street Engagement Unit, advising the Committee that Officers had been engaging and are building knowledge regarding the day street population.  Councillor Adams provided further updates on items which included the Gambling policy, hate crime strategy, Enforcement policy and Shisha Premises.

5.3      The Committee discussed the success of the council’s first Gay Pride event and the partnership working with the LBGT foundation on the Nightsafe project in terms of what had been achieved in Manchester.  The Committee queried the timetable for producing the hate crime strategy. The Committee expressed concern that there appeared to be an increasing problem with residents’ complaints regarding rough sleepers urinating outside residential properties.  Cllr Adams advised the Committee on the Dec 17 High court ruling against WCC regarding the repatriating of rough sleepers from EEA and EA countries.

5.4      Members highlighted the good work and success of the integrated street unit. The Committee expressed interest in the training of enforcement staff, the number of officers and the use of the current enforcement policy. The Committee felt that it would be useful for Councillors to receive training on Noise Nuisance, which would allow Councillor’s to respond more confidently to any concerns raised by residents.

5.5      The Committee also expressed concern that there appeared to be an increasing problem over the dumping of waste and noise nuisance and enforcement action regarding aggressive begging.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the report.

The Committee to receive a report on the proposed Street Entertainment Policy, followed by a discussion with expert witnesses.

6.1      Councillor Adams and Sara Sutton, Director of Public Protection & Licensing introduced the report, advising the Committee that the council valued the dynamic artistry, cultural contribution and diversity that street entertainment brings to our city. However key challenges included unsuccessful resolutions in court with CPNs and the amount of resources required, due to the size and scale and the transient nature of the street entertainment.  An extensive number of expert witnesses from the business, street entertainment and music industry were invited to discuss their views and opinions with the Committee. The witnesses thanked the Committee for looking at Street Entertainment and welcomed the discussion. 

6.2      Concerns were raised regarding a proportion of street entertainers displaying poor behaviour, such as aggression, loud noise and obstructions. Simon Thomas, CEO the London Hippodrome Casino, felt that businesses were heavily regulated and licensed and the same rigorous checks should be applied to street entertainers.  It was felt that many street entertainers were of poor quality and were nuisances to premises and residents of WCC.  It was also felt that the voluntary controls had not work in all cases, this includes the reporting of incidents.  Good street entertainers were welcomed, however the cumulative impact of too many entertainers was a concern raised. 

6.3      Ms Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA) felt that in order to find the right balance there needed to be further communications between street entertainers and premises/businesses owners. It was felt that the report had made a good start but required further work, a framework that will protect good street entertainers.  Mr Broadhurst from the GLA and who helped to set up Busk in London, felt that more consistent approach was needed and advised that the Mayor of London wants to champions busking so to protect London rich eco system.  Mr Broadhurst also advised that 95% of busker support the Council, but have concerns regarding the enforcement element, any work going forward should to be in collaboration with street entertainers. 

6.4      Dave Southern, Representative, Keep Streets Live, advised the Committee that the organisation campaigns nationally regarding the over regulation of street entertainment. Mr Southern queried how the council will support the community and bring it into the fold and make it work for everyone.  Dave Webster from the Musicians Union opposed regulating the industry, advising that regulating street entertainers would “kill the industry”; and promoting the use of industry self-regulation mechanisms was a much better alternative.

6.5      The Committee welcomed and thanked the expert witnesses for attending the meeting and providing their views. Councillor Taouzzale raised concerns regarding the impact on residents of loud and aggressive street performers.  Councillor Less was concerned regarding the impact of possible costs/fees of further licensing on young performers.  Councillor Arzymanow advised that she had observed loud street entertainers and that noise was unfair to residents.  Councillor Dimoldenberg queried the council’s existing powers of enforcement querying if there were any additional areas that the council should be focusing their efforts.  Councillor Green and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Tracker and work programme update

7.1      Artemis Kassi (Policy & Scrutiny Officer) presented an updated report on the agreed topics for the Committee’s 2018/19 work programme.

7.2      The Committee discussed updates of current work and potential future topics for the 2018/19 work programme.  The Committee agreed the creation of a Task Group to focus on scrutinising illegal dumping, once the existing task groups have concluded. The Committee raised a query regarding the status of the Metropolitan Police’s Basic Command Units Task Group. Ms Kassi confirmed that the Task Group will report back to the Committee at its next meeting on 21 November, Ms Kassi also advised the Committee that there had been some scope expansion to the task group’s work.

7.3      The Committee discussed its successful visit to the Integrated Waste Management Facility and producing a news item to inform other Councilors.  The Committee was advised to review and respond to the Telephone Box briefing provided to members.

To consider any other business which the Chairman considers urgent.

8.1      Councillor Dimoldenberg queried weather the dates of the forthcoming committee meetings had been checked against the 2019 Easter holidays. Kisi Smith-Charlemagne - Committee Clerk, confirmed that this had been considered before setting the 2019/20 Committee Calendar dates.

Wednesday 21 November 2018 at 7.00pm

Wednesday 6 February 2019 at 7.00pm

Wednesday 10 April 2019 at 7.00pm