Agenda and minutes

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, however the following matters were brought to the attention of the Scrutiny Board for information:

·  Councillors D Collins and A Lamb advised that they were members of Pubwatch.

·  Councillor A Lowe advised that she was Chief Executive of Touchstone.

The above Board Members remained present for the duration of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

An apology for absence was submitted by Councillor K Bruce.

Notification had been received that Councillor M Harland was substituting for Councillor K Bruce.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th January 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2017 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Housing covering particular areas of community safety policy/activity as requested by the Scrutiny Board.

The Director of Environment and Housing submitted a report which provided a brief overview of community safety related themes / services that had been identified by the Board.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Debra Coupar, Executive Member for Communities

-  Councillor Alison Lowe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel

-  Councillor Josie Jarosz, Leeds Member of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel

-  Councillor Amanda Carter, Leeds Member of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel

-  Superintendent Sam Millar, Chief Officer (Community Safety)

-  Chief Inspector Alisa Newman, West Yorkshire Police

-  Harvinder Saimbhi, Head of Anti-Social Behaviour

-  Jayne Russell, Leedswatch Service Manager.

The key areas of discussion were:

The future provision of CCTV

·  The need to develop a flexible and responsive approach to CCTV that makes best use of modern technologies. 

·  A request that Members be provided with a breakdown of CCTV provision across Wards.

·  The need to ensure that Elected Members are provided with up to date performance information.

·  Planned engagement with Community Committees to help inform future provision.

·  The potential benefits of exploring other planned works around the installation of Wi-Fi, for example, reference was made to a Wi-Fi installation scheme by Wetherby Town Council.

·  The Board requested to be kept informed of progress and it was also suggested that details of the Business Case is brought back to Scrutiny once available.

Addressing anti-social behaviour

·  Acknowledgement regarding the positive contribution of LASBT.

·  Particular reference was made to LASBT South and the need to ensure that this resource is not disproportionally dealing with issues within the city centre when there are other dedicated city centre resources available.

·  Clarification was provided regarding the customer survey approach that is undertaken in relation to LASBT.

Addressing youth offending

·  The importance of early intervention and work with schools and families.

·  The role of the new NHS England Liaison and Diversion team at Elland Road in terms of identifying, assessing and referring people of all ages with a wide range of mental health, learning disability, substance misuse and social vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system.

·  Plans for Leeds Youth Offending Service to further develop the Skill Mill programme in Leeds, providing training, support and employment for young offenders in Leeds.

·  The changing nature of crime, particularly cyber-crime.

·  The transition from child to adulthood and the role of Safeguarding Boards.

Tackling begging across the city

·  The important distinction to be made regarding begging and homelessness.

·  The appropriate use of enforcement action, with reference to Criminal Behaviour Orders.

·  The challenges in tackling persistent begging.

·  Housing related support options and the suggestion that the Scrutiny Board receives a more detailed briefing surrounding the re-provision of housing related support as part of its next housing themed meeting. 

·  The need to raise public awareness and tackling misconceptions as well as advertising how the general public can support people begging in alternative ways i.e. offering food instead of money and supporting local charities and organisations,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

To consider the Board’s work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the 2016/17 municipal year.

It was agreed that further information regarding the re-commissioning of housing related support would be requested as part of the Board’s housing themed meeting in April.

The Board was advised that the March meeting was themed around environmental issues.

A Peckfield Working group meeting had been scheduled to take place on Monday, 27 February 2017.  Representatives from the Environment Agency, the Council’s Environmental Protection Team, and the Chair of Peckfield Liaison Committee, Councillor Harland, had confirmed that they would be attending.

The next session of the Air Quality Inquiry had been scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 1 March 2017.  A representative from DEFRA had confirmed that they would be attending.

RESOLVED – That subject to any on-going discussions and scheduling decisions, the Board’s outline work schedule be approved.

Thursday, 23^rd March 2017 at 10.00 am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 am)

Thursday, 23 March 2016 at 10.00am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.05pm)