Agenda and minutes

The following late report was admitted to the Agenda:

·  Agenda Item 9 – Community First Programme

Councillor R Grahame declared an interest in Agenda Item 9, Community First Programme due to his involvement with the Community Frist Panel (Burmantofts)

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors S Lay and K Mitchell.  Councillor B Atha was in attendance as substitute.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2013

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider the quarter 3 performance against the strategic priorities for the Council and City relevant to the Board’s portfolio.

The 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)

Councillor M Dobson, Executive Member for Environment and Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods were in attendance for this item.

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

·  Missed bin collections – Members acknowledged that current performance rates need to be set against the delivery of an increasingly complex service for Leeds, with 2 million collections now made per month.  However, it was felt that scrutiny could assist in exploring why particular areas are experiencing repeated missed collections.

·  It was noted that the provision  of in-cab technology should help to improve the efficiency of the refuse service in the long term – shortlisting of potential providers  had already been carried out.

·  Litter – improvements had been noted and attributed to the delegation and the negotiations of Service Level Agreements with each Area Committee for delivery of this service.  However, it was felt that further work was now needed to address particular routes into Leeds which should be raised with Highways Services. 

·  Implementation of alternate weekly collections.

·  Exploring further opportunities to work closely  with the universities to address street cleansing problems within particular student areas

·  Community Safety – Members acknowledged that performance continues to improve against more stretching burglary reduction targets.  It was noted that whilst burglary will continue to be a priority,  there would also be increased focus now on working in partnership to address domestic violence.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

To consider the strengths and areas for development in relation to the Safer and Stronger Communities Strategic Partnership Board

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development referred to the remit of the Scrutiny Board to act as the ‘critical friend’ to the Safer and Stronger Communities Strategic Partnership Board.  In doing so, the Board was asked to consider the strengths of this particular Partnership Board and also identify potential areas for development.  To assist the Scrutiny Board, a background report was also provided by the Safer and Stronger Communities Board.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

·  Rachel Loftus, Programme Manager, Localities and Partnerships

·  Bishop John Packer, Vice Chair of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board (also Chair of the  Leeds Migration Partnership)

·  Mike Love, Member of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board (also representing Together for Peace)

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

·  Acknowledgement of the benefits that this Partnership Board has brought in terms of bringing together Councillors with other partners, including those from the voluntary sector.

·  That whilst the cleaner-greener priorities are largely set and delivered by the Council through its statutory responsibilities, the Partnership Board is keen to develop more partnership involvement.

·  The work undertaken by the Safer Leeds Partnership and its role in working with the new  Police and Crime Commissioner in the future.

·  Particular focus was given  to the Leeds Poverty Challenge, which was an initiative put forward by the Partnership Board.  This was based on the successful work of the Scottish Poverty Truth Commission which brought civic leaders together with people directly experiencing poverty to better understand the impact of poverty and explore real solutions.  The Scrutiny Board welcomed this initiative and requested to be kept fully informed of progress.

·  Members were pleased to note that the work undertaken by Scrutiny is also communicated and acknowledged by the Partnership Board.

·  That any proposed changes to the Partnership Boards should be made in agreement with partners.

RESOLVED –

1)  That the report be noted.

2)  That the Scrutiny Board continues to monitor progress with the Leeds Poverty Challenge

That a more detailed report setting out the Scrutiny Board’s observations and recommendations will be provided to the Partnership Board and will also inform the wider Scrutiny report to Council in relation to the Strategic Partnership Boards.

To receive a report summarising the views of the Scrutiny Board in relation to the Community First Programme – report to follow.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development referred to the request from Councillor S Golton for Scrutiny to review how Community First funding (Neighbourhood Match funding element) was being administered in Leeds.  This work was undertaken in  January 2013 and a draft report setting out  the Scrutiny Board’s observations in relation to the Community First Programme was also attached for Members consideration and agreement.

RESOLVED – That the draft report summarising the Scrutiny Board’s observations in relation to the Community First Programme be agreed.

To consider the Board’s Work Schedule.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development outlined the Board’s forthcoming Work Schedule.  Recent Executive Board minutes were appended to the report for the Board to note.

The following issues were discussed in relation to the Board’s Work Programme:

·  The draft West Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan and the observations made by Scrutiny. 

·  That the Board was now in a position to begin drafting its reports following its recycling review and its review aimed at strengthening the Council’s relationship with local Parish and Town Councils.

·  That a review of income generation opportunities linked to the Council’s CCTV and security functions will now commence in the new municipal year.

RESOLVED – That the report and work schedule be noted.

Monday, 15 April 2013 at 10.00 a.m. (pre-meeting at 9.30 a.m. for all Board Members)

Monday, 15 April 2013 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)