Agenda and minutes

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

In relation to the item entitled, ‘2012/13 Quarter 4 Performance Report’, Councillors R Grahame and M Harland drew the Board’s attention to their membership of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (Minute No. 7  refers).

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor N Buckley. Councillor G Wilkinson was in attendance as a substitute Member.

The Chair took this opportunity to welcome Councillors J Bentley and D Coupar to their first meeting of the Board and thanked Councillors S Lay and K Mitchell for their contribution to the Board’s work last year.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th May 2013.

In relation to minute 90 ‘Draft Safer Leeds Strategy 2013-14’, where reference had been made to tackling business crime, a further comment was made during the meeting to acknowledge the need to address insurance fraud, which had risen significantly this year.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th May 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the Board’s terms of reference and also details of plans to change the Safer and Stronger Communities Strategic Partnership Board.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the revised terms of reference for the Scrutiny Board, which reflected recent amendments made to the Council’s Officer Delegation Scheme. 

In line with the Scrutiny Board’s role as critical friend to the Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership Board, the report also presented a summary of the Scrutiny Board’s observations and recommendations following its assessment of the Partnership Board in March 2013.

However, details of recent plans to change the existing partnership working arrangements of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board were also reported to the Scrutiny Board.  Such plans include the establishment of a (Working with) Communities Board to replace the existing Safer and Stronger Communities Board.  In doing so, the Safer Leeds Executive would retain its function of Community Safety Partnership and current arrangements for Cleaner Greener would be formalised.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive 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. 

The report also made reference to the new policing reforms and the introduction of a new West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel last year. Linked to this, a copy of the ‘Principles for Engagement’ document, developed by the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel in liaison with the five local Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committees, was also attached for information. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive 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.

RESOLVED –

(a)   That the report be noted

(b)   The Board agreed to consider the appointment of co-opted members on an ad-hoc basis for any inquiries where it was deemed appropriate.

To receive a report of the Deputy Chief Executive summarising the quarter 4 performance data relevant to the Scrutiny Board.

The report of the Deputy Chief Executive provided a summary of performance against the strategic priorities for the council and city related to the Scrutiny Board (Safer and Stronger Communities).

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, was present for this item.

In consideration of this report, the following issues were raised by Members:

·  Additional performance indicators – in acknowledging that the performance report only refers to the relevant priorities in the Council Business Plan and City Priority Plan, Members requested to hold a separate working group meeting to consider the wide range of indicators monitored by the directorate.

·  Missed bin collections – particular attention was given to the performance results linked to the number of missed bins per 100,000 collected.  Members noted that an officer from Resources had been seconded to waste management to lead on improving the reliability of the refuse service.

·  Assisted collections – Members recommended that a telephone contact list for existing customers should be maintained and used as part of the process for assessing the on-going demand for this service.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive 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. 

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, was in attendance to share his views on potential areas of work for the Board this year.

It was noted that the views of the relevant Executive Board Members and the Assistant Chief Executive (Customers and Communities) had been relayed to the Chair prior to the meeting and so these were also shared with the Board. 

The following were raised as potential areas for Scrutiny involvement this year:

·  Domestic abuse – as a priority area within the Safer Leeds Strategy, it was noted that a key aim this year is to achieve better co-ordination between services such as the Police, Health, the Council and voluntary sector, to improve services for victims and reduce incidents.

·  Community Safety financial planning for 2014/15 – working with Safer Leeds in determining where future community safety resources need to be targeted.

·  Hate crime – it was noted that Safer Leeds aim to develop a better understanding of emergent Hate Crime issues and prevent groups and individuals becoming involved in extremist behaviour.

·  Income generation opportunities linked to the Council’s CCTV and security functions.

·  Alternate weekly collections of recyclable and residual waste – assisting the service to evaluate the phase 1 roll out so that lessons can be applied to phase 2.

·  Recycling – exploring other viable solutions for those areas that are not expecting to receive alternate weekly collections.

·  Reviewing other options for reducing or diverting waste from landfill.

·  Street cleanliness – reviewing the allocation of resources for street cleanliness in terms of delivering value for money.

·  Integrated Advice Services – reviewing the effectiveness of existing advice services and promoting an integrated approach.

·  The role of the third sector within localities – exploring how links with the third sector across different localities can be strengthened.

·  Promoting Localism - sharing existing good practice and exploring future opportunities in delivering services underpinned by the locality working design principles (i.e. developing area based delegations)

In addition to the above, the following issues were also discussed by the Board:

·  Provision of the bulky waste service

·  Environmental enforcement issues, particularly on private land

·  Enforcement of unauthorised encampments

·  Introduction of the new electronic Integrated Waste Management System

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

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

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the draft work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year. 

Whilst acknowledging the potential areas of work discussed during the previous item, particular priority was given to commencing a review around Domestic Abuse.

It was noted that at its next meeting, the Scrutiny Board would be receiving a formal response to its earlier reviews around strengthening the Council’s relationship with local councils and also improving recycling through effective communication and education.

RESOLVED – That the Board’s work schedule be updated to reflect the key issues discussed during today’s meeting.

Monday 22^nd July 2013 at 10.00 am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am)

Monday, 22 July 2013 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)

(The meeting concluded at 11.30 am).