Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the last meeting held on 19 June 2017 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors requested that the issue of road safety and in particular the police response should be scrutinised in further detail at a future meeting.

Officers advised the Committee that the police are being invited to attend the next meeting of the OSC to discuss this issue and any individual councillor queries relating to specific issues in specific wards will be addressed through ward highways meetings.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report and presentation which provided a summary of the overall approach to transport funding. The report gave a detailed examination of the current position in relation to duties relating to highway maintenance.

The Committee requested that a seminar be arranged to look further into the issues of funding and in particular the issues of potholes and their repair across the borough. The Committee also requested that a schedule be provided to all councillors on road repairs completed.

RESOLVED -  that the information be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report which provided an update on the progress to date with the OSC review of the impact of gambling in Gateshead as part of the 2016/17 programme.

·         Four evidence gathering sessions took place between September 2016 and January 2017. During the review the Committee heard evidence from:

·         Officers from Gateshead Council (including Licensing Officers, the Public Health Team, the Community Safety Team and Safeguarding Adults)

·         The Gambling Commission – the body responsible for granting operation and personal licences for commercial gambling operators and personnel working in the industry

·         Gamcare – an independent national charity providing information, advice, support and free counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling

The review resulted in the following final recommendations:

·         The Council should use every opportunity to contribute to the national debate about the harms that can be caused by irresponsible and problem gambling

·         The Council should contribute to develop its productive working relationship with the Gambling Commission

·         The Council should contribute to the continuing debate and proposed consultations on the harms associated with fixed odds betting terminals

·         The Gambling Commission’s introduction of Local Area Risk profiles represents a new opportunity for Gateshead Council to think more deeply about the protection of vulnerable people from gambling-related harm. The Council should develop Local Area Risk Profiles for the borough.

·         Gateshead Council as a licensing authority should examine the range of data available locally and evaluate how this can be used in Local Area Risk Profiles

·         Gateshead Council as a licensing authority should also begin to consider what data and evidence is missing and establish closer working links with other services within the Council and with partner agencies to develop a better knowledge base and a better range of data

·         That further update reports be provided to the OSC on a regular basis

The Committee were also advised on progress with the recommendations:-

Arrangements have been made for a meeting between the Gambling Commission and Gateshead Council as part of the Commission’s ongoing engagement plan with local authorities. The focus of the meeting will be on Gateshead Council’s approach to gambling matters including inspections and enforcement, what sort of issues the Elected members are concerned about, and the work plan for next year – in particular about the review of statement of principles (ready for 2019). The date of this meeting is yet to be finalised but is likely to place in late September or October.

Newcastle University have approached the Council looking for projects for their post grad planners to carry out starting October this year. Discussions are underway with the University about a project involving research around gambling in Gateshead, possibly, based on the framework presented in the Geofutures work commissioned in 2015 by Westminster and Manchester Councils to explore what area-based vulnerability to gambling related harm might look like.

RESOLVED - that the progress made to date be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a progress report on initiatives to reduce carbon emissions within Gateshead Council, and the borough as a whole. Issues and challenges for further investigation were also reported.

The OSC also agreed to receive further reports at future meetings on progress with those items identified.

RESOLVED –  that the information be noted and further reports be brought to future                      meetings.

Presentation of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a presentation which provided a progress update on Housing Growth and future initiatives.

RESOLVED – that the information be noted and further updates be provided to future                  meetings of the OSC   

Joint report of the Chief Executive and the Strategic Director Corporate Services and Governance

The Committee received a report on the provisional annual work programme and agreed that further reports will be brought to future meetings to highlight current issues/identify any changes/additions to the programme.