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.

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 by Councillors D Collins and G Harper.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th October 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th October 2017 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Chief Officer of Housing Management presenting an update on progress with implementation of the High Rise Strategy.

The report of the Chief Officer of Housing Management presented an update on progress with implementation of the High Rise Strategy.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Coupar, Executive Member for Communities

·  Simon Costigan, Chief Officer of Property and Contracts

·  Jill Wildman, Chief Officer of Housing Management

·  John Gittos, Chair of Tenant Scrutiny Board

The key areas of discussion were:

·  An overview of key measures, including CCTV monitoring services, aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour cases.

·  The use of Traffic Regulation Orders on car parks of high rise blocks to enforce the keep clear areas for waste services and emergency vehicles.

·  The development of a Family Friendly model and details of measures aimed at making high rise homes more suitable for family living.

·  Improving the management of waste in high rise blocks.

·  The advice given to residents on the use of chutes to reduce blockages.

·  A need to communicate more effectively with all residents regarding any planned or completed communal repair work within their block.

·  Resident engagement and communication priorities and opportunities.

·  The success of the Enhanced Support model piloted in the four Clydes and Wortleys blocks during 2016 and the subsequent roll out to another 15 blocks during early 2017.

·  Governance of the High Rise Strategy, including the establishment of a High Rise Strategy Board that now includes more cross-cutting membership.

In conclusion, the Board acknowledged the good progress made in delivering the High Rise Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presenting the Board’s draft report following its recent inquiry into Leeds’ response to Grenfell.

(Draft report to follow)

The Chair explained that the Scrutiny Board would now be formally considering and agreeing its draft inquiry report during its December meeting.

However, the Chair used this opportunity to ask Board Members whether any further issues had been picked up during the Board’s consideration of agenda item 7 which should also form part of the inquiry evidence base and be reflected in the Board’s final inquiry report.  No further comments were raised by Board Members in this respect.

RESOLVED – That formal consideration of the Scrutiny Board’s draft report following its inquiry into Leeds’ response to Grenfell be deferred to the December Board meeting.

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presenting an update on the work undertaken by the Digital Access Team to review and refresh the leeds.gov.uk website.

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support briefly explained the background and current position regarding the review and refresh of the Council’s website.

Representatives from the Digital Access Team also provided a PowerPoint presentation during the meeting with more detailed information and a demonstration of the refreshed website prior to it going live.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  James Rogers, Director of Communities and Environment

·  Councillor Coupar, Executive Member for Communities

·  Ian Strickland, On-line Development Manager,

·  Laura Driver, Digital Development Support Officer

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Details of the customer insight and testing work that has helped inform the new look website.

·  An acknowledgement of the review work being undertaken with the use of existing resources within the Digital Access Team.

·  The mechanisms in place to immediately alert the service of any system failures.

·  The effective and consistent layout of the website when using other remote devices.

·  Clarification was sought regarding future potential for an on-line booking system for Community Centres.

·  The communications plan associated with the official launch of the new website.

·  The ongoing programme of work across service areas to update their content on the new website, with Council Tax and Planning Services being recognised as priority services and already in development.

In conclusion, the Board praised the review work undertaken by the Digital Access Team and welcomed the new look website.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted and welcomed.

(Councillor K Bruce left the meeting at 12.00 pm during the consideration of

this item).

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2017/18 municipal year.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the 2017/18 municipal year.

The Chair highlighted again that the Scrutiny Board’s draft report following its recent inquiry into Leeds’ response to Grenfell would now be formally considered during the Board’s next meeting.

RESOLVED – That subject to any on-going discussions and scheduling decisions, the Board’s outline work schedule be approved.

Monday, 4^th December 2017 at 10.30 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.00 am).

Monday, 4^th December 2017 at 10.30 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.00 am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.05 pm)