Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the Scrutiny Board’s first meeting of the 2014/15 municipal year and formally acknowledged Councillors Dunn, Urry and Ritchie as new members of the Scrutiny Board this year.

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.

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 submitted on behalf of Councillors J Dunn and M Harland, with Councillors D Coupar and J Lewis in attendance as substitutes.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2014.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th June 2014 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.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the terms of reference for the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Board for Members’ information.

Whilst it was noted that there have been no changes made to the remit of the Scrutiny Board this year, it was highlighted that the Board’s terms of reference is to be amended to reflect the Board’s role in scrutinising the performance of the Safer Leeds Partnership and the Communities Board now that the Safer and Stronger Communities Board no longer exists.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the report be noted

(b) That the Scrutiny Board’s Terms of Reference is to be amended to reflect the Board’s role in scrutinising the performance of the Safer Leeds Partnership and the Communities Board now that the Safer and Stronger Communities Board no longer exists.

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 ‘Principles for Engagement’ document developed by the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel in liaison with the five local Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committees.  This was also attached for Members’ information.

In discussing the joint Protocol, it was noted that references made to the West Yorkshire Probation Trust would need to be revised to reflect that, from 1^st June 2014, the rehabilitation of offenders across England and Wales is no longer being managed and delivered by Probation Trusts.  These have been replaced with 21 regional Community Rehabilitation Companies and a new National Probation Service.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the report be noted

(b) That appropriate changes are made to the Crime and Disorder Protocol between Scrutiny and the Community Safety Partnership in Leeds to reflect the role of the new West Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company and the National Probation Service.

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 the 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 – 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 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.

The following were in attendance for this item and invited to share their views around potential areas of work for the Scrutiny Board this year:

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Housing

James Rogers, Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities)

Councillor Peter Gruen, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Personnel

Councillor Mark Dobson, Executive Member for Cleaner, Stronger and Safer Communities

Members of the Scrutiny Board also shared their views on potential areas of work for the Scrutiny Board this year. 

In conclusion, the Board agreed to focus on the following areas during this municipal year:

·  The role of Police Community Support Officers within the context of new integrated partnership working models, particularly within localities (i.e. Community Hubs and Partnership Working Areas);

·  Improving understanding of the significance of safeguarding issues linked to migration, such as human trafficking, to help develop an effective multi-agency response;

·  Tackling prostitution in Leeds from a multi-sector perspective;

·  Exploring options for further area based delegations to Community Committees;

·  Recycling – addressing low participation rates in existing AWC areas and exploring viable options for non-AWC areas across the city;

·  Revisiting the city’s wider Waste Strategy;

·  The effective role of the Police in the wider Road Safety agenda;

·  Understanding the city’s response to tackling legal highs;

·  Revisiting the Prevent Agenda;

·  The role of waste management linked to the development of a new Leeds Standard for house building.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the report and discussion be noted.

(b) That the areas of work listed above are taken forward by the Scrutiny Board during this municipal year. 

(Councillor A Blackburn arrived at 10.20 am during consideration of this item and Councillor J Lewis left the meeting at 11.00 am during consideration of this item)

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.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser was requested to work with the Chair to incorporate the areas of work agreed by the Scrutiny Board into its work schedule for the forthcoming year.  The Chair highlighted that initial working group meetings would be arranged to begin scoping terms of reference for the Board’s key pieces of scrutiny work. 

In addition, the Chair explained that tracking reports linked to previous inquiries undertaken by the Board will also be incorporated into the work schedule.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the report be noted.

(b) That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser works with the Chair to incorporate the areas of work agreed by the Scrutiny Board into its work schedule for the forthcoming year.

Monday 28^th July 2014 at 10.00 am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am)

Monday, 28^th July 2014 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)

(The meeting concluded at 11.15 am)