Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the Scrutiny Board’s first meeting of the 2015/16 municipal year.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor N Walshaw, with Councillor J Pryor in attendance as substitute.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the Scrutiny Board (Safer and Stronger Communities) meeting held on 20 April 2015.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the minutes of the former Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Board meeting held on 20 April 2015 be confirmed as a correct record.

(b)  That an update report on the Poverty Truth Challenge is scheduled for the Board’s September meeting.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the Board’s terms of reference.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the terms of reference for the Citizens and Communities Scrutiny Board for Members’ information.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the appointment of co-opted members to the Scrutiny Boards.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development sought the Board’s formal consideration for the appointment of co-opted members. The Board was informed that they could appoint the following:

·  Up to five non-voting co-opted members for a term of office that does not go beyond the next Annual Meeting of the Council; and/or

·  Up to two non-voting co-opted members for a term of office that relates to the duration of a particular and specific scrutiny inquiry.

RESOLVED – The Board agreed to consider the appointment of co-opted members on an ad-hoc basis for any inquiries where it was deemed appropriate.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on potential sources of work for the Scrutiny Board.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development provided information and guidance on potential sources of work and areas of priority within the Board’s terms of reference.

The following were in attendance for this item and invited to share their views around potential areas of work for the Scrutiny Board this year:

-  Councillor Debra Coupar, Executive Member for Communities

-  Councillor James Lewis, Executive Member for Resources and Strategy

-  Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Executive Member for Employment, Enterprise and Opportunity

-  James Rogers, Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities)

-  Lee Hemsworth, Chief Officer for Customer Services

-  Shaid Mahmood, Acting Chief Officer for Communities

-  Steve Carey, Chief Officer for Welfare and Benefits

-  John Mulcahy, Head of Licensing and Registration.

Members of the Scrutiny Board also shared their views on potential areas of work.

In conclusion, the Board agreed to undertake the following reviews this municipal year:

·  Preparations for the launch of Universal Credit in Leeds between January and April 2016;

·  The ongoing development and roll out of Community Hubs in delivering integrated ‘front-of-house’ services;

·  The ongoing development of Community Committees in strengthening local accountability and being more responsive to the needs of local communities.

The Board also discussed and agreed to incorporate, where possible, the following issues into its work schedule for further consideration: 

·  Progress in delivering the centres of excellence model within the corporate contact centre

·  A revised Gambiling Act Licensing Policy

·  The role of the Communities Board

·  Corporate Welfare

·  Migration

·  Approaches in tackling begging

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and discussion be noted.

(b)  That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser works with the Chair to incorporate the areas of work agreed by the Scrutiny Board into its work schedule for the forthcoming year.

Monday, 27 July 2015 at 10.00am (pre meeting for all Board Members at 9.30am)

Monday, 27th July 2015 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Board

Members at 9.30 a.m.)

(The meeting concluded at 2.20 pm)