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.)

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local

Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to accept the following

supplementary information:

·  Inquiry into Tackling Domestic Violence and Abuse – Draft Scrutiny Report (Minute no. 97 refers)

·  Appendix 1 – Work Schedule (Minute no. 98 refers)

The above documents were not available at the time of agenda despatch, but were subsequently made available on the Council’s website.

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.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M Robinson.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2014.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th March 2014 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the Board’s draft report following its recent inquiry into tackling domestic violence and abuse.

(Report to follow)

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the Board’s draft report following its inquiry into tackling domestic violence and abuse.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Councillor Peter Gruen, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services

-  Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Housing

-  Bridget Emery, Chief Officer Strategy and Commissioning, Office of the Director of Public Health

In consideration of the draft report, the following points were made:

·  In acknowledging that the majority of the Board’s recommendations have been directed to the Chair of the new Leeds Domestic Violence Strategy Group to lead on implementation, it was recognised that the Chair would also need to engage relevant Directors in this regard.  The Board agreed to reflect this point within its final report.

·  Clarification was sought regarding input from the Trade Unions to the inquiry.  It was acknowledged that the Trade Unions had been approached and that a representative did actively contribute to the inquiry.

·  The Director of Environment and Housing highlighted that an update on the work undertaken by Safer Leeds in tackling domestic violence is expected to be reported to the Executive Board in September/October 2014.

·  Members emphasised the need for the Board’s Inquiry Report to be brought to the attention of the Executive Board too.

·  The Chair reflected on the complexity and cross-cutting nature of the inquiry and acknowledged the commitment of Board Members and of the wide range of witnesses to this inquiry.  Board Members requested that the Chair writes on behalf of the Board to the individual witnesses to express the Board’s gratitude for their contribution to this inquiry.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the Board’s draft inquiry report be agreed subject to the amendment discussed during the meeting.

(b) That a request is made for the Scrutiny Board’s final report to be scheduled at a future meeting of the Executive Board for consideration.

(c)  That the Chair writes on behalf of the Board to the individual witnesses of the inquiry to express the Board’s gratitude for their contribution.

(Councillor A Blackburn arrived at 5.10 pm during consideration of this item)

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting an overview of the Board’s work schedule during 2013/14.

As this was the final meeting of the 2013/14 municipal year, the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development provided an overview of the work undertaken by the Board this year.  Recent Executive Board minutes were also appended to the report for the Board to note.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Councillor Peter Gruen, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services

-  Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Housing

-  Bridget Emery, Chief Officer Strategy and Commissioning, Office of the Director of Public Health

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services acknowledged and welcomed the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Board during the year and made particular reference to the contribution made by the Scrutiny Board in reviewing the role and allocation of Police Community Support Officers.

The Chair also reflected on the volume and quality of the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Board and also acknowledged and welcomed the support of the Executive Board Members and Directors throughout the year.  The Chair thanked everyone who contributed to the work of the Board, including the Members of the Board for their commitment and contribution over the 2013/14 municipal year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(The meeting concluded at 5.25 pm).