Agenda and minutes

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.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors P Davey, R Grahame and M Harland.

Councillors P Grahame and R Harington were in attendance as substitute Members

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 3 April 2012

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 April 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the changes to the Council's Constitution in relation to Scrutiny.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and member Development provided the Board with information on recent amendments to the Council’s Constitution, as agreed by Council on 21 May 2012 which directly related to and/or impacted on the work of Scrutiny Boards.

Issues highlighted in the report included the following:

• The Localism Act 2011.
• Links to Strategic Partnership Boards – Scrutiny Boards were no longer tasked to undertake reviews linked to City Priority Plans.
• Changes to the Board’s remit – housing matters would now be with the Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration)
• Changes to the call in process – Area Committee decisions would now be exempt from call in.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

It was suggested that the Board could appoint co-opted members on an ad-hoc basis for any inquiries where it was considered necessary.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny role.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development informed the Board of its role as the Council’s Crime and Disorder Committee and included the Protocol between Scrutiny and the Community Safety Partnership in Leeds.  Members were reminded of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act and the pending replacement of the Police Authority with a Police and Crime Commissioner.

Councillor Gruen, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services and Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods were in attendance for this item.

The following issues were highlighted:

• The election for a Police and Crime Commissioner would take place in November 2012.
• The Board was asked to establish a working group to work with the Safer Leeds Partnership to develop the Leeds Community Safety Business plan in preparation for the introduction of the Police and Crime Commissioner.  Principal Scrutiny Adviser to arrange following the meeting.
• Arrangements for scrutiny of Crime and Disorder issues.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the joint protocol between Scrutiny and the local Community Partnership be noted.

(3)  That a working group of the Board be established to undertake work with the Safer Leeds Partnership to develop the Leeds Community Safety business plan in preparation for the introduction of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) on the new Equality Improvement Priorities and revised Equality and Diversity Policy.

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) introduced the new Equality Improvement Priorities and the revised Equality and Diversity Policy.  It also set out the Council’s continued commitment to equality, outlined the Council’s equality objectives, identified how progress would be measured and how the Council would continue to improve and further embed the equality agenda.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider 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.  In consultation with the relevant Director(s), Executive Board Member(s) and Partnership Chair, the Board was requested to consider and confirm the areas of Scrutiny for the forthcoming municipal year.

The joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance)/Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided a summary of performance against the strategic priorities for the Council and City related to the Scrutiny Board (Safer and Stronger Communities).

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Councillor P Gruen - Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services.
• Councillor M Dobson – Executive Member for Environment
• Neil Evans – Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

The following issues were highlighted as potential areas for the Scrutiny Board to consider:

• Police and Crime commissioner
• Domestic Noise Nuisance – it was reported that the service was currently undergoing change and it may be better to review this later in the year.
• Non-emergency Police service and the introduction of the ‘101’ contact number.
• Stronger Communities – relationship with Town and Parish Councils.
• Waste collection – including development of IT systems.
• Round two of the Service Level Agreement for the delegation of Streetscene services.
• Waste Management Strategy
• Transfer of Parks and Countrysides to the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate.

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

To consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) summarising the quarter 4 performance data relevant to the Scrutiny Board.

To consider the Board's Work Schedule for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

Monday 30^th July 2012 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)