Agenda and minutes

Apologies for non attendance were received from Councillors Jessop, Mrs Morgan and Murphy.

All Members are required to disclose at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter, any disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest in any item(s) being considered at this meeting.  

There were none.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings of the Board held on the 6 March 2019 and the 16 May 2019 be signed as a true and correct record.

(NOTE: The Board is required to receive a deputation(s) on a matter which is before the meeting of the Board provided that notice of the intended deputation and its object shall have been received by the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on Monday 9 September 2019.  The total time for deputations in favour and against a proposal shall not exceed 10 minutes).

There were none.

(NOTE: The Board is required to allow a total of 15 minutes for questions from Members of the public on matters within the terms of reference of the Board provided that notice of such Question(s) shall have been submitted to the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on Monday 9 September 2019).

There were none.

The purpose of this report is to advise Members on the outcome of the consultation exercise as authorised by the Chief Executive in August 2018, and to recommend the implementation of the Abandoned Shopping Trolley Policy (Appendix A) and set the appropriate fees.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Streetscene  advising Members on the outcome of the consultation exercise as authorised by the Chief Executive in August 2018, and to recommend the implementation of the Abandoned Shopping Trolley Policy (Appendix A) and set the appropriate fees.

Members welcomed the implementation of a policy that would help to address the issue of abandoned shopping trolleys as they were unsightly within the Borough.

The Board questioned whether it was hoped the policy would encourage supermarkets to collect the trolleys before the Council did, as they were already requested to collect abandoned trolleys.

The Board was advised that supermarkets rented trolleys and that they were priced at £400-£600 each, it was thought that paying the fine would be a better alternative than paying for a new trolley. In addition, the policy would encourage supermarkets to work to keep their trolleys on site and it was advised that it was important that the Council were not out of pocket in their efforts to remove abandoned trolleys from the Borough.

The Board was advised that supermarkets were obligated to take responsibility for their trolleys and that those trolleys that it was noted that there tended to be a greater problem with trolleys that were not were not fitted with the requirement for a £1 deposit.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that it would be possible to enforce the Policy on shops located outside the Borough, including those belonging to shops on Newgate Lane.

The Board was also advised that investigations would be made into removing trolleys from the creek.

Members questioned whether it would be possible to remove trolleys that were located on private land as they were often unsightly. Members were advised to report any incidents of fly tipping to Streetscene for assessment.

Resolved: 

That the Board recommends to Full Council:

The Council adopts Schedule 4 (Abandoned Shopping and Luggage Trolleys) Environmental Protection Act 1990 (“Schedule 4”) for its area and the Abandoned Shopping Trolley Policy with effect from a date no later than 3 months following such a resolution in full Council.

The Monitoring Officer to have the authority to take the steps required by the legislation to adopt Schedule 4 and implement the Policy.

To seek approval of the Council’s Tree Policy to ensure that Gosport Borough Council provides an effective and consistent approach to its Arboricultural Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Streetscene seeking  approval of the Council’s Tree Policy to ensure that Gosport Borough Council provides an effective and consistent approach to its Arboricultural Services.

The Board was advised that this was a revision to the existing policy.

Members felt that at the next review of the policy, consideration could be given to simplifying it and using more simple language.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that the existing pollarding routine that was scheduled for the Cemetery and Southcroft Road would continue and occur every 5/6 years.

A Member raised an issue with a treeline along Heritage Way being too low for cyclists, the Board was advised that there were set heights that should be adhered to and if the trees overhung the public highway to contact Hampshire County Council.

RESOLVED:  That the board approve the revision of the Council’s Tree Policy (Appendix A of the report).

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To seek approval of the proposed tree planting schemes for Cherque Way and Grange Lane, to assist the council in mitigating against climate change and increase the tree canopy cover within the borough to assist with carbon reduction.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Streetscene seeking approval of the proposed tree planting schemes for Cherque Way and Grange Lane, to assist the council in mitigating against climate change and increase the tree canopy cover within the borough to assist with carbon reduction.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that the species chosen were chosen to be most suitable for the areas under consideration for additional planting.

The Board was advised that there were already 30000 trees within the Borough and welcomed that additional planting was being considered, particularly in a Borough which was 72% built on.

Members were advised that the public and community groups would be invited to support the scheme and contribute towards the planting of trees, through sponsorship and potential applications for external funding and or providers.

The Leader of the Council advised that he would like the Council to commit to facilitating the planting of 1000 trees in 1000 days and that the community should be engaged with to support and promote the initiative. The Board was advised that it would cost between £172-£200 for sponsorship of a tree, as this would cover all the associated costs.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that the planting of evergreen trees was less effective in offsetting carbon.

It was proposed and seconded that the recommendation be amended to include that the Council were committed to planting 1000 trees in 1000 days with the support of the wider community and youth groups.

It was clarified that the Council could approve planting on Gosport Borough Council land, but not land that was private or owned by Hampshire County Council.

RESOLVED: That the board  approve the proposed tree planting scheme for Cherque Way to provide screening between Cherque Way and the new play area at the entrance to Alver Valley Country Park. That the board also approve the proposed tree planting scheme for Grange Lane to soften the landscape and create a natural wildlife corridor along the former sports field boundary with Grange Junior School  allowing the council to continue its commitment in mitigating against Climate Change and that the Council commit to planting 1000 trees in 1000 days with engagement with the local community and youth groups.

To seek the Board’s approval to support environmental improvement projects throughout the Borough of Gosport.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Streetscene seeking approval to support environmental improvement projects throughout the Borough.

In answer to a Member’s question the Board was advised that new legislation meant that any adult equipment needed to be located further away to equipment for young people than it was currently located in Walpole Park to protect them from injury and that investigations could be made in to equipment suitable for those with additional needs.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that further details would be added to the schemes if they were approved.

Members expressed a desire for improvements to other areas, particularly Kings Road, following recent vandalism in which the surface had been destroyed and welcomed that the potential for the toilets at the replacement facility in Nobes Avenue to be open to the public was being investigated.

Members offered suggestions for a facility in Priddy’s Hard and it was also confirmed that the estimated cost for Nobes Avenue facility was set so as not to underestimate the potential cost and therefore ensure there was sufficient funds to pay for it.

The Board was advised that it was important to consider the overall cost of the Nobes Avenue project, including any demolition and waste disposal and were advised that maintenance of all of the sites for play equipment formed part of a 3 year rolling programme.

Members expressed disappointment at the cost of repairing incidents of vandalism at sites and it was suggested that the public be advised of the significant costs incurred when vandalism occurred.

Members also requested that consideration be given to the installation of showers at sites such as Alver Lake and Stokes Bay to enhance water sport facilities.

RESOLVED: That the board supports the inclusion of the projects outlined in this report within the draft capital programme for 2020-21 to 2022-23, to be considered by Policy and Organisation board and full Council as part of the 2020-21 budget setting process.

There were none.