Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors G E Cullen, S R Kirk, R H Trollope-Bellew.

The Chief Executive reported that having received a notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, he had appointed Councillor R B Parker as a replacement member of the Committee in place of Councillor G E Cullen for this meeting only.

No declarations were made.

RESOLVED

That subject to a minor amendment, the minutes be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Panel considered a report which provided the outcome and analysis from a public engagement exercise on the impact of the part night street lighting policy.

The analysis provided detailed information about the number of respondents, including:

·         Where they lived (by postcode area only);

·         Age (in age groups);

·          Whether they felt positively or negatively towards the street lighting policy;

·         The number of responses by county council ward

·         An average of the positivity/negativity felt in each ward.

During the Panel's questioning to Officers, it became clear that analysis of the data had not found any correlation between the negative responses received and the areas which were part of the switch off.  It was questioned whether the negativity could have arisen from areas where there was less community cohesion, or a more transient population.

During consideration of the open text comments on the response forms, it was noted that there had been many comments from shift workers feeling unsafe whilst travelling to and from work at night, during the switch off.

As the survey had been undertaken during the winter months, Officers felt there could potentially be a different set of answers if repeated during the summer months.  In addition, without a full year's data to consider, it was difficult to see a full crime picture to gauge whether there was correlation between crime and the switch off.

Issues were raised by a Member regarding lighting in the Carholme area of Lincoln and how just being off the city centre meant there was often a transient presence after dark from Lincoln's night time economy.  It was felt street lighting in this area was important for keeping this section of the community safe.

Another Member raised the issue of a spate of antisocial crime in Crowland, South Holland, which he felt had a connection to the switch off in the area.

Some respondents had felt there should have been more consultation with the public before making the decision regarding the switch off.

The next meeting of the Panel was due to take place on Thursday 8 March at 2pm.  It would be a closed meeting to enable the Panel to look at individual responses from the consultation and to also look to form recommendations to give to the Executive.

RESOLVED

            That the comments be noted.

The next meeting of the Panel was due to take place on Thursday 8 March at 2pm.  It would be a closed meeting to enable the Panel to look at individual responses from the consultation and to also look to form recommendations to give to the Executive.