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 as such, however additional information was submitted in respect of Agenda Item 7, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority – Consultation on Proposed Changes to Emergency Cover in West Yorkshire.

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.

Councillor R Grahame declared an interest in Agenda Item 7, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority – Consultation on Proposed Changes to Emergency Cover in West Yorkshire due to his membership of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

Councillor S Lay declared an interest in Agenda Item 8, Scrutiny Review of the Council’s Relationship with Local Parish and Town Council’s – Draft Terms of Reference due to his membership of Otley Town Council.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor P Davey,

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2012

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting draft terms of reference for the Board’s forthcoming review

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented draft terms of reference in relation to the Scrutiny Board’s forthcoming review of the Council’s relationship with local Parish and Town Councils.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting for this item:

• Councillor Peter Gruen – Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services.
• Ian Cornick – Head of Civic & Member Support
• Heather Pinches - Executive Officer (Performance Management)

Councillor Gruen informed the Board that he was pleased to see the terms of reference for this proposed Inquiry. He acknowledged that working relations had generally improved since the introduction of the Charter between Leeds City Council and Town and Parish Councils, but not in all areas.  He made reference to the associated links with the Council’s current review of area working, which is recognising the key role of Area Committees in relation to  neighbourhood planning.  In view of this, it was suggested that the Scrutiny Board’s review also explores how Area Committees are working with Parish and Town Councils in relation to neighbourhood planning 

RESOLVED – That the terms of reference for the forthcoming review of the Council’s relationship with local Parish and Town Council’s be agreed.

To consider and comment on the proposals set out within the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s consultation document.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development referred to the consultation exercise being undertaken by the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority on proposed changes to emergency cover in West Yorkshire.  A copy of the consultation document was attached to the report along with a summary analysis of the predicted impact on response times.

Also circulated to Board Members was a letter from the West Yorkshire Brigade Secretary setting out the views of the Fire Brigade Union on the consultation proposals.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting for this item:

• Steve Beckley - WYFRS Deputy Chief Fire Officer
• Nick Smith – WYFRS District Commander
• Geoff Maren – WYFRS Chief Finance Officer

The Board was given a presentation on the challenges that the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority faced up to 2020.  Issues highlighted included the following:

• Members were informed of the overall budget reduction for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
• That the cuts in the first two years have been heavily loaded towards metropolitan authorities, with West Yorkshire losing over 10% of its grant funding in the first two years.
• That at £38.82 per head of population per year, the Authority provides the lowest cost service  of all the metropolitan fire and rescue authorities in the country.
• That the significant reductions in risk and demand present an opportunity to review service provision and be more innovative and efficient in the way services are delivered.
• An overview of the Authority’s performance standard and Risk Based Planning Assumptions.

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

·  That all  blue light services are facing financial pressures – Members acknowledged that the emergency service partners continue to identify opportunities for collaboration. 

·  That the Association of Metropolitan Fire Authorities continues to lobby for more resources for the service.

·  Reference was made to proposals for developing a shared site with Yorkshire Ambulance Service in Menston.  However, such proposals have been  postponed following the decision of Yorkshire Ambulance Service to undertake a wider strategic review of its assets.

·  That new and proposed housing developments were being taken into consideration as part of the planning analysis.  It was also reported that new properties were safer than old homes, with hard wired smoke detection systems and better fire protection generally.

·  That the cost of building new fire stations is small in comparison to the actual savings to be made in terms of the running costs and the salaries of staff that work there.

·  Exact locations for the proposed new stations had not yet been determined.

·  Fire stations fall outside the legislation relating to community asset bids.  However, the Fire Authority could be receptive to expressions of interest from communities.

·  Development of a concordat with Leeds City Council – a meeting was to be held with the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods regarding this and work was also going to be carried out with private landlords to improve fire safety.

·  The role of the local area reduction teams  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting a summary note of the Scrutiny Board’s second working group meeting on the new grounds maintenance contract.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member DEvelopment presented a summary note of the second working group meeting which was held on 2^nd October 2012 in relation to the grounds maintenance contract.

It was reported that the Board’s draft final report would be available for consideration at the meeting to be held in November 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which includes the Board’s forthcoming Work Schedule.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development informed the Board of its forthcoming Work Programme.  Recent Executive Board minutes were also appended to the report.

The Board was informed that there would be reports on bereavement services, allotments and fuel poverty at the next meeting.  It was also suggested that the Board explores how the 3 blue light services are working collaboratively across the City to help minimise the impact of the forthcoming budget cuts on communities.

Monday, 12 November 2012 at 10.00 a.m. (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)

Monday, 12 November at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting fro all Members at 9.30 a.m.)