Agenda item

M Brookes introduced the report and drew member’s attention to the legal cases which were in Court during that quarter. He highlighted that back in February we successfully delivered the Berkhamsted West Ward, Berkhamsted Town Council and the Boxmoor Ward by elections. Happy to take questions.

Cllr Tindall noted the bullet points on page 19 regarding opposition regarding Hackney Carriage drivers, and asked how opposition had manifested.   It was noted that the King Ace taxi company won the tender to operate from the train station, which was met with opposition from other taxi operators.  The tender was run by the Train Operating Company and the council was not involved in the process. 

Cllr Guest referred to page 22 of the report, noting that she was contacted by residents after 5^th May to ask why they had not received their polling cards and asked how the message could be made to non-Internet users in future.  M Brookes noted that polling cards should go through everyone’s doors, and an extensive social media campaign is run alongside this.  There is limited resource and therefore cards and social media should make most residents aware of elections. Cllr Guest asked if they could communicate with non-Internet users when there are no elections. M Brookes stated that they could pick this up with the team though it would be expensive to send letters to all residents.  Cllr Guest suggested that the Dacorum Digest be used. 

Cllr Peter stated it was good to see the successful prosecutions during the quarter and asked how many cases on average they take to court and what percentage of costs are recovered.  It was noted there was a moratorium on certain cases during the pandemic and they should now see an increase in activity.  On costs, sometimes legal costs aren’t pursued, though they will work with finance to ensure costs are pursued when the court awards them.   Cllr Peter asked who makes the decision to take someone to court.  It was confirmed that it is the officers and legal teams who ensure there is sufficient legal evidence to take someone to court.  Cllr Douris commented that the fly tipping prosecutions sent out a strong message. 

Cllr Symington commented on the increase of TROs, as detailed on pages 27 and 28 of the report, noting that this was a welcome development.  Cllr Symington referred to the TRO on Elm Grove, Berkhamsted F Zone, and asked what the F Zone is.  Cllr Symington also noted the change to regulation 10 and how PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices) are issued and asked if the policy was having any impact.  Councillor Williams responded to the Elm Grove question, noting that he was contacted by a resident who requested a CPZ for Elm Grove, and it was agreed that this would go out for initial consultation with residents, and ‘F’ is the identifying code.  M Brookes confirmed that he would send a note to the Committee regarding the impact of the change in regulation 10. Action.

Cllr Adeleke commented on the digital printing, noting that £36k was spent in the quarter and that there was no indication on whether this was an increase or decrease, and he asked how this compares to other councils.  It was noted that some printing costs are recovered, and the change compared to the previous quarter could be provided.  It was suggested that they would need to look over past figures from the last 12 months to provide a better comparison. Action.

Cllr Tindall noted that the CCG would go out of existence at the end of the month and wondered if they would continue to be tenants under the ICS or if they would move elsewhere.  B Hosier commented that the CCG have been in touch with the organisation who provided the internal signs and arranged for signs to be mocked up with the new acronym, so it is assumed they will remain. 

Outcome:

The Committee noted the report.