Agenda item

Officers presented the Review Topic discussion paper to the Committee. The Committee were advised that a discussion regarding possible topics to review this municipal year would be useful to allow officers to write scoping reports for each review and report back to the next Committee meeting in 26 July 2011.

The Committee discussed possibly reviewing the placement of phone masts and ancillary equipment - a review into the future growth of mobile telephone masts and ancillary equipment and the effects on the residents and environment of Hillingdon and beyond.

Members said that although the demand for mobile handsets was increasing as technology develops and consumer demand increased, residents were concerned as to the increasing number of planning applications for larger masts and ancillary equipment and the effect these were having on the environment.

Members said that companies could be invited to meetings to give evidence or submit written responses. The review would investigate the future demand for mobile technology, the effect on transmission facilities required, how such technology could be shared by mobile phone operators and how operators might be encouraged, by public opinion, or required, by regulation, to use such technology in such a way as to alleviate residents’ concerns. The review would also cover current Hillingdon planning policies but not health issues

The Committee also discussed a possible review into crime and policing - a review into levels and types of crime seen in Hillingdon, future policing techniques and how effective they might be and the role of residents in helping to reduce crime in Hillingdon

Members said that there was a perception held by residents that despite the result of national and local surveys and statistics, crime was a ‘major’ problem in Hillingdon. Members stated that should this review be agreed the Committee should look at victim support services, police response times and crimes on elderly and vulnerable people. Members said they would be interested in finding out whether elderly people felt safer as they now had ‘burglar alarms’ courtesy of the Council.

The Committee discussed investigating the issues around sentencing offenders, but were advised that this was out of the remit for the Committee. Members did suggest looking at crime and policing on a ward by ward basis, population demographics in each ward, crimes committees in the area and request the comments of Ward Councillors and residents from the area. Members agreed that it would be beneficial to hear from the Borough Commander and the Deputy Mayor of London, should the review be agreed.

The review would identify resident concerns and the issues they consider important, the current situation in the borough in terms of crime statistics, areas of possible criminal growth and current and future policing methods that may be introduced in view of cutbacks and new technology and the effects these might have. It would also identify the current and potential role of Neighbourhood Watch and other similar schemes and what residents can do to help reduce crime. This review would complement and build on that undertaken by Corporate Services POC some two years ago.

The Chairman of the Committee advised Members that he would be speaking with the Leader of the Council regarding the Committee’s review topic ideas in the coming weeks.

Agreed:

Members agreed to consider two scoping reports at the meeting on 26 July 2011 – the major review scoping report on crime and policing in Hillingdon and the review on phone mast placement in the borough.