To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors: R.B.A Burke, J.C. Mayson (Cabinet Member) A. L. Williams and from Mr. G. Jones (Tourism Sector).

To receive details any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

Councillor Mrs. P.A. Andrews substituted for Councillor A.L. Williams.  Mr. A. Blackshaw substituted for Mr. G. Jones.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 6th June 2006.

Copies of the minutes had been previously circulated to Members and were available at the meeting.  Subject to minor grammatical and textural changes the Committee approved the minutes.

RESOLVED: That the minutes for the meeting held on 6th June, 2006, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider suggestions from members of the public on issues the Committee could scrutinise in the future.

No suggestions were received on issues for future scrutiny from the members of the public present.

To seek the views from a range of interested parties on the current economic and tourist benefit of the River Wye for Herefordshire and how it can be improved.

The Committee sought the views of a range of interested parties on the current economic and tourist benefit of the River Wye for Herefordshire and how it could be improved.

The Chairman acknowledged receipt of a question from Mr G. Thomas, concerning the riverbank near the Old Bridge, Hereford, which, being subject to litigation, would be dealt with by the Director.

The Chairman welcomed the following invited guests:

The Chairman reported that the agenda item sought to be the start of ongoing debate on the economic and tourist benefit of the River Wye, and explore what further actions are, or can, be undertaken by the Council, Town or Parish Councils, local businesses or the Environment Agency to improve those benefits for the County.

The meeting was structured into sections by the Chairman asking the invited guests to contribute or comment in relation to a question on their sphere of interest.  The following is the question followed by the principal points arising during discussion:

What is happening already within the Herefordshire Council’s Tourism Section?

• The 2004 Heart of England Tourist Board survey identified that 33% of visitors came for the countryside.  A further visitor survey would be undertaken this year with the results expected in 2007.
• The number of visitor responses were monitored, particularly following articles in the national press.  The Tourism Section assist when journalists from national papers visit the county.  The Walking Festival and the Wye Valley Walk were good selling points.
• The shortage of visitor accommodation was becoming a problem.  Increased bookings in the lead up to the Three Choirs Festival had lead to accommodation further out into the county for example in the black and white villages and market towns being offered.
• A number of legal and practical issues would need to be addressed before pleasure boat trips from the City could be considered.
• The Hay Festival offered good examples of visitor packages.
• More could be made of the “picturesque movement” popularised in a book by Rev W. Gilpin and highlighted by recent publicity in a publication.

What are the Town and Parish Councils doing with the river and what would they like to see done?

• Ross Town Council had undertaken improvement works to the bandstand and its environs, however, no specific river related works had been considered.
• Hereford City Council considered it important that the ancient manorial rights to the river be protected and suggested that as a number of ‘rights’ were held in trust they could be registered with the Charity Commission.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member (Community Services) on activity in the Community Services programme area for 2005/06.

The Committee received a report from the Cabinet Member (Community Services) on activity in the Community Services programme area.

A report had been prepared by the Cabinet Member (Community Services) outlining the issues which had affected the programme area during 2005/06 and indicated some of the challenges for 2006/07.

In addition to highlighting aspects of his report the Cabinet Member also reported in particular:

• That the restructure of the Directorate was proceeding well. While Youth Services had been moved to the Children’s Services portfolio, his portfolio had gained Public Rights of Way (PROW).
• The Destination Management Partnership, being a public/private partnership, were working towards establishing joint budgets.
• That congratulations be extended to the people of Leominster for their fundraising efforts to support the new swimming pool.  Questioned on the swimming pool in Ross-on-Wye he commented that once the local flood alleviation scheme came to fruition, he hoped that eventually the Ross pool could be improved.
• Phase 3 of the Museum Resource and Learning Centre had now commenced.

The Committee noted the report by the Cabinet Member.  The following is an outline of the responses and comments made during the ensuing questioning of the Cabinet Member:

• The Chairman congratulated the Cabinet Member on the provision of a new mobile library.
• Members noted that works to fill the potholes in Queenswood car park would very soon commence and that a further improvement scheme would commence in January 2007.
• Members also noted that the line of the former canal at Aylestone Park was protected in planning terms.  The Canal Trust also received an annual income through a Section 108 Agreement from the new flats near the former canal basin in Newtown Road.
• Plans for a new central library were linked to the plans for the Edgar Street Grid development.  It was intended that all Members would be involved in a seminar regarding the draft proposals in late 2006.
• The Committee were pleased to hear of the work being undertaken to co-ordinate the involvement of Herefordshire in the 2012 Olympics.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for his report and for responding to the Committee’s questioning.

To report on the end of year performance position relating to the Economic and Community Services Division within the Adult and Community Services Directorate.

The Committee received a report on the end of year performance position for 2005/06 relating to the Economic and Community Services Division within the Adult and Community Services Directorate.

The report provided commentary about a selection of Best Value and Local Performance Indicators, all of which were included within the Corporate Plan and were reported in line with the Annual Operating Plan requirements.  Issues, challenges and concerns relating to the Performance Indicators and services in general were also reported on.  The detail of the performance for each Service Block was set out in Appendix 1 to the report.  Appendix 2 to the report set out the new set of indicators that corresponded with the Corporate Plan and Local Area Agreement.

On scrutinising the report the Committee noted that in relation to the “% of people who use parks …” information had been compiled from the Resident’s Satisfaction Survey.  Work was under way to ascertain any reason for the slight dip in satisfaction against this target.  In relation to the increase in performance indicator “alcohol related crime and disorder incidents” it was reported that this was probably due to the increased detection activity of the police rather than the introduction of new licensing legislation.

RESOLVED

That(a) the report on Economic and Community Services Performance be noted;

            (b) areas of concern continue to be monitored;

                  and;

                     (c) the new indicators, attached at Appendix 2 to the report,          be noted and adopted.