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.)

The following late items had been forwarded to Members in a supplementary agenda:

• Agenda Item 6 – Minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2012
• Agenda Item 8 – Financial Health Monitoring 2011/12 – Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

The following declarations of interest were made:

• Councillor G Hyde – Agenda Item 8, Financial Health Monitoring 2011/12 – Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate – due to his position as a Director of the East North East Homes ALMO Board
• Councillor R Grahame – Agenda Item 8, Financial Health Monitoring 2011/12 – Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate – due to his position as a Director of the East North East Homes ALMO Board.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2011 – to follow

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny Inquiry into Integrated Offender Management

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development set out the progress made in response to the recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny Inquiry into Integrated Offender Management.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Samantha Millar – Chief Inspector, Community Safety
• Louise Hackett – Commissioning and Development Manager (Criminal Justice)
• Neil Moloney – Head of Leeds Probation

Members were asked to consider the progress made against recommendations and to agree those which no longer required monitoring.

The following issues were discussed:

• Recommendation 1 – Reference was made to pathways made available to prolific offenders for rehabilitation and re-settlement.
• Recommendation 2 – Issues discussed included how to support those on Job Seekers Allowance and the potential impact of changes to the benefits system.  The use of European Social Funding to support employment and training was discussed and Members requested further information on this.  It was reported that there was capacity to work with between 75 and 80 offenders per month as part of the Leeds Work and Skills Plan in conjunction with training providers including support from the third sector. It was further agreed to provide mapping information in relation to the Drugs Improvement Programme (DIP).
• Recommendation 4 – In response to questions regarding budgets, it was reported that there were budgetary issues due to restructures and this influenced ways in how to prioritise targets.  There had been regional collaboration between forces to tackle cross boundary issues and it was recognised at a local and divisional level that there was a need to share resources.
• Recommendation 7 – In relation to the Deter Young Offenders Scheme, further information was requested on numbers of offenders, targets and timescales.  Reference was made to a team of 5 Police Officers that worked with young offenders across the city.
• Recommendation 9 – Further to the statistical information provided, it was reported that there was an initial rise in the offending figures for Priority and Prolific Offenders (PPOs) due to the active management of this group and higher detection rates.  The Board was informed that active management of up to 99 PPOs could be carried out and it was estimated that there was over 260 PPOs in the City.  The PPOs identified were those who were predicted to be more likely to re-offend and there was a target to involve those involved in burglary.  There had been a significant reduction in the number of these kind of offenders being involved with drugs in recent years and Members asked for details of the age profile of PPOs.  It was reported that there was a tendency for these to be in the under 25s age group and Members requested a copy of the report on Youth Offending Work in Leeds.  Further reference was made to tackling organised crime groups and families with different generations of career criminals.
• Recommendation 11 – Reference was made to sharing information with Ward Councillors through Area Management.

RESOLVED – That those recommendations that no longer require  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To consider the financial position of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate after five months of the 2011/12 financial year – to follow

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development informed Members of the financial health of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate after five months of the financial year 2011/12.

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods and Richard Ellis, Head of Finance, Environment and Neighbourhoods were in attendance for this item.

The following issues were discussed:

• Transfer Payments – Changes to charges for sheltered housing which would be paid by housing benefit were explained.  This would realise savings of £1million and this would be covered by central government.
• Figures reported for performance related pay indicated the highest possible expenditure.  The true figure would be eventually less due to cases where performance related pay was deducted.
• With reference to figures detailed as ‘cross cutting’ it was reported that these were due to a freeze on expenditure and changes to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).  Those detailed as ‘to be determined’ related to services provided in 2010/11 that were likely to re-occur.
• Role of the Directorate’s Delegated Decision Panel.
• Cost issues relating to vehicle repairs, office moves and recycling.

Members were also informed that there would be a Budget Working Group on Thursday, 10 November 2011.

RESOLVED – That the projected financial position of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate after 5 months of the financial year 2011/12 be noted.

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting draft terms of reference for the Board’s forthcoming review of Health and Safety and Food Safety Regulatory Services within Environmental Health

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development referred to the Board’s agreement to undertake a review of the Health and Food Safety Regulatory Services provided by the Council to businesses across the City.  Draft terms of reference were appended to the report.

Graham Wilson, Environmental Health Manager attended the meeting for this item.

Members were informed of opportunities for them to accompany officers within the Health and Safety Team and Food Safety Team to visit premises and gain an insight into the inspection regime.

RESOLVED – That the terms of reference for the forthcoming Scrutiny review of Health and Safety and Food Safety Regulatory Services within Environmental Health be agreed.

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

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development detailed the Board’s work schedule.  Also attached were copies of recent Executive Board Minutes and a copy of the Forward Plan relating to the Board’s portfolio.

Members were reminded that there was a meeting of the Housing Revenue Account Working Group on Friday, 4 November 2011.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Monday, 14 November 2011 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting at 9.30 a.m.)

Monday, 14 November 2011 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)