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.)

Members were issued with a supplementary agenda with the report for 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.

Councillors A Khan, R Grahame, P Grahame and K Groves declared personal interests in Agenda Item 9, Grounds Maintenance Contract – Mobilisation Update as they were Members of GMB.  Councillor A Khan also declared an interest in the same item as he was a Member of the East North East Homes Area Panel as did Councillors R Grahame and J Hardy due to their respective positions as Directors with East North East Homes ALMO and West North West Homes ALMO.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors G Hyde and J Jarosz.  Councillors P Grahame and A Khan were present as substitutes.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2011

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) summarising the quarter 2 performance data relevant to the Scrutiny Board.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented a summary of the quarter 2 performance data relevant to the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Board.  Two issues were highlighted for Members attention: Budget and Rate of Domestic Burglary.

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, Heather Pinches,Performance Manager, and Councillor Peter Gruen, Executive Board Member for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration were in attendance for this item.

It was reported that the performance information detailed in the report was the first set against the new strategic plans – the City Priority Plan and Council Business Plan.  The performance data detailed in the report was relevant to Safer and Stronger Communities City Priorities.  A full set of performance information was detailed on the Council’s Intranet site.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Members welcomed the inclusion of victim demographics in relation to the data around anti-social behaviour.
• Equality Issues – there was a set of equality priorities and it was being considered how best to present these in future reports.  There was also a section around Equality and Diversity as part of the State of the City report.
• Whilst the report cards would usually be signed off by the relevant Partnership Boards, the timing of some Partnership Boards had not made this possible in all cases.  However, all performance information had been reviewed by relevant stakeholders.  The quarter 3 performance reports will be signed off by the Partnership Boards.
• That references made to travelling offenders in the report had referred to those offenders who had committed crimes across police operational boundaries.
• Perpetrator demographics for anti social behaviour – this showed an equally high number of female perpetrators. Members also queried how many offences were alcohol related.
• Leeds had the highest rate of burglary when compared to other comparator authorities.  However, there had been an improvement in recent months.
• Joint operations with DVLA to remove unregistered vehicles that are in common use by criminals – Members requested further information on this.
• Mapping of priority and prolific offenders (PPOs) – information regarding PPOs could be facilitated through ward briefing meetings.
• Sharing of crime and anti-social behaviour information with Area Committees and Locality Managers
• Police and Crime Commissioner Role – an update report was due to Executive Board and it was expected that the Scrutiny Board would have an update report in February 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

To consider the financial position of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate after 7 months of the 2011/12 financial year – report 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 seven months of the 2011/12 financial year.

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

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Restructuring within the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate.  Work was still ongoing across various service areas and there had been a major restructure of senior management.
• Income from Car Parks.  Members discussed pricing issues, the potential impact on local businesses and unregistered car parks.  It was reported that the Board was due to receive a further report in the new year.
• Income from enforcement on bus lanes.
• Predicted overspend – this had been affected by a slippage in the timescale of staffing restructures and not achieving predicted levels of income.
• Freezes on expenditure and recruitment.
• That the 2012/13 Budget proposals were due to be submitted to Executive Board in December.
• It was proposed that a Budget Working Group meeting be arranged early in the new year to consider the initial 2012/13 budget proposals for the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive an update from the Chief Officer, Environmental Services on the mobilisation of the new Grounds Maintenance Contract

The report of the Chief Environmental Services Officer provided an update on the mobilisation of the new Grounds Maintenance contract that was due to commence on 1 January 2012.

Main issues highlighted in the report included:

• Mobilisation of the new grounds maintenance contractor
• De-mobilisation of the current contractors
• The Council’s internal contract mobilisation plan

Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer and Stephen Smith, Environmental Services were in attendance for this item.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• The contractor had agreed a rental for a site at Calverley Lane for a depot.
• Consultation had been held with Town and Parish Councils which had shown an interest.
• Contractor efficiency plan – this was ongoing as further potential efficiencies would be discussed.
• Monitoring – continued mapping work would be carried out to ensure areas of land did not get missed.
• The contractor would be happy to discuss issues first hand in respect of contact arrangements.
• The mobilisation team was made up of representatives from the ALMOs, BITMO, Highways, Parks and Countryside, Environmental Services and others involved in the procurement process.
• The Board requested further updates on the contract in the new year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider and agree the Board’s Work Schedule

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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

Monday, 16 January 2012 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)

Monday, 16 January 2012 at 10.00 a.m. (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)