Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(* In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting).

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

1.  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2.  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3.  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

No exempt items have been identified.

There were no exempt items.

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 interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lay, with

Councillor Hart-Brooke attending as substitute.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 23^rd June 2022.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd June 2022 be

approved as an accurate record.

Minute No: 7 Scrutiny Board Terms of Reference

The Board was informed that the functions of the Director of Resources that relate to Civic Enterprise Leeds and Community Infrastructure Levy are to be removed from the remit of the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board.  The functions that relate to Civic Enterprise Leeds will now be included within the remit of the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board and the functions that relate to the Community Infrastructure Levy will be included within the remit of the Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth Scrutiny Board.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services which presents an update by the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime on the delivery of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan 2021-24.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which highlighted the Scrutiny Board’s commitment to maintain a watching brief surrounding the delivery of the new West Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan 2021 – 2024.  The Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime had provided a written update for the Scrutiny Board, which was appended to the report along with a copy of the published West Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan 2021-2024.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Coupar, Executive Member for Resources

·  Councillor Garthwaite, Leeds representative and Chair of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel

·  Councillor Amanda Carter, Leeds representative and Vice Chair of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel

·  Julie Reid, Head of Policing and Crime, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

·  James Rogers, Director of Communities, Housing and Environment

·  Paul Money, Chief Officer Safer Stronger Communities

·  Nadeem Siddique, Head of Community Relations and Cohesion

·  Claire Smith, Head of Safer Neighbourhoods and ASB Services

·  Chief Inspector Pete Hall, Leeds District Police

·  Gerry Shevlin, Domestic Violence Programme Manager

·  Simon Hodgson, Head of Community Safety Services

The Chair welcomed the attendance of the Head of Policing and Crime who explained that the Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime was unable to attend today’s meeting. The Head of Policing and Crime then gave a brief introduction to the update report provided to the Board.

The Chair also welcomed the attendance of Councillor Garthwaite and Councillor Amanda Carter in their capacity as Chair and Vice Chair of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel.  Both gave a brief introduction to the role of the Police and Crime Panel, as well as highlighting key areas of priority for the Panel this year.

The following areas were also raised during the Board’s discussion:

Ø  Consultation on the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan – the Board discussed the engagement methods used as part of the consultation across West Yorkshire and while acknowledging that response levels had been relatively low, the Head of Policing and Crime explained that consultation will be continuing linked to the supporting strategies that are being developed to support the delivery of the Plan.  Reference was also made to the appointment of the Mayor’s Inclusivity Champion to increase the focus on engagement in services from lesser heard communities.

Ø  Public trust and confidence in policing – the Board discussed the importance of community engagement in terms of helping to instil public trust and confidence in policing.

Ø  Police representation from BAME communities – the Board was interested to learn what proportion of the West Yorkshire Police force represents BAME communities.  The Head of Policing and Crime agreed to provide further information on this, including a breakdown of senior management level posts too.  Linked to the Mayor’s pledge to increase police officer and police staff numbers, it was highlighted that particular importance had also been placed on doing more to attract, recruit, support and promote talented individuals who represent the diverse communities across West Yorkshire.

Ø  The West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To receive a report from the Chief Officer Safer Stronger Communities which presents an annual update against priorities included in the Safer Stronger Communities – Leeds Plan 2021-2024.

The Chief Officer Safer, Stronger Communities submitted a report which explained that, having previously maintained a watching brief surrounding the development and delivery of the Safer Leeds Strategy 2018-21, the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board was consulted last year on the new Safer Stronger Communities City Plan 2021-24.

This report therefore presented an update position in relation to the priorities set out within the new Plan.  Also appended to the report was a briefing paper by Leeds District Police which provided a short overview of the current efforts, successes and challenges associated with Leeds District’s Neighbourhood and Partnerships work to support community safety in the city.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Coupar, Executive Member for Resources

·  Councillor Garthwaite, Leeds representative and Chair of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel

·  Councillor Amanda Carter, Leeds representative and Vice Chair of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel

·  Julie Reid, Head of Policing and Crime, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

·  James Rogers, Director of Communities, Housing and Environment

·  Paul Money, Chief Officer Safer Stronger Communities

·  Nadeem Siddique, Head of Community Relations and Cohesion

·  Claire Smith, Head of Safer Neighbourhoods and ASB Services

·  Chief Inspector Pete Hall, Leeds District Police

·  Gerry Shevlin, Domestic Violence Programme Manager

·  Simon Hodgson, Head of Community Safety Services

The Chair invited the Chief Officer Safer, Stronger Communities and Chief Inspector Peter Hall to give a brief introduction before inviting any comments and questions from Board Members.

The following areas were raised during the Board’s discussion:

Ø  Changes to recording anti-social behaviour (ASB) data – The Board was informed that ASB is no longer recorded as one category and is now broken down into numerous categories, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

Ø  Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) – Linked to comments made by the Board during the earlier agenda item, the public consultation surrounding a proposed city-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to vehicle nuisance was very much welcomed by Board Members.

Ø  Leedswatch – The Board was informed that the service continues to consolidate after the implementation of the Leedswatch review on 1^st September 2021 and that the control room is responsible for a number of functions across CCTV, the City Centre Vehicle Access Scheme, Out of Hours repairs, alarm response, security patrols and the Out of Hours Noise.  Linked to this, the Chair reminded Members that a Board visit to Leedswatch is expected to take place in September.

Ø  Tackling Youth Violence – The Board was informed of the involvement of Leeds District Police in the developing Youth Violence tasking group work and other proposed measures to strengthen coordination and response to youth violence concerns. Linked to this, a Youth Crime Prevention officer took up post in the Spring as work continues to support the Youth Justice Partnership.  The Executive Member for Resources also highlighted the vital role of the Youth Service in terms of working to divert young people away from the Criminal Justice System.

Ø  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2022/23 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that presented the Board’s latest work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser reminded Board Members that a number of key areas of interest were raised during the Board’s last meeting, as well as proposed approaches for incorporating these into the work schedule.  These had therefore been reflected in the updated work schedule set out in Appendix 1 for the Board’s consideration.

It was also noted that Board Members will be consulted on potential dates linked to the proposed working group meetings and site visits reflected in the work schedule.

However, with regard to the proposed scrutiny visit to Newmarket House and the RERF, it was noted that the service is in the process of organising a couple of events during September for any new Elected Members to attend Newmarket House and be briefed on the work of the service, as well as visiting the RERF too. As such, it was considered appropriate for Members of the Scrutiny Board to also join these planned events in terms of avoiding duplication of effort.

RESOLVED – That, subject the change reflected above, the Board’s work schedule be approved.

Thursday, 15^th September 2022 at 10.30 am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.00 am)

Thursday, 15^th September 2022 at 10.30 am (pre-meeting for Board Members at 10.00 am)