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 Bentley, Gabriel and Wilkinson.  Notification had been received that Councillor Jarosz was to substitute for Councillor Gabriel and Councillor Wadsworth was to substitute for Councillor Wilkinson.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th February 2018.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th February 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Minute No. 75 Update on Universal Credit

The Chair confirmed that Board Members had received the additional information requested by the Board last month regarding the position with rent arrears for Universal Credit tenants.

Minute No. 78 Work Schedule

The Chair explained that as the refuse-collection re-routing process was still subject to ongoing engagement with Trade Unions, an update on this will now be brought to Scrutiny early in the new municipal year.

To receive a report from the Director of Communities and Environment on the early progress and emerging arrangements relating to a new model for locality working following Executive Board approval in November 2017.

The report of the Director of Communities and Environment presented an update on the emerging arrangements and early progress surrounding the new approach to locality working.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Coupar, Executive Member for Communities

·  Shaid Mahmood, Chief Officer Communities

·  Martin Dean, Area Leader

The following key issues were raised:

·  There was positive recognition of the contribution made by Scrutiny in helping to inform the initial proposals presented to Executive Board in November 2017.

·  It was noted that the earlier issues raised by Scrutiny in relation to future measures of success and accountability measures had been picked up within the agenda report.

·  The Board particularly discussed the proposed governance infrastructure surrounding the locality working approach, with specific reference made to the new Locality Working Neighbourhood Improvement Board. It was noted that whilst the terms of reference and membership for this Board were still being developed, a commitment was given to ensuring that its membership includes relevant Elected Members.

·  The Board discussed the future deployment of staff from the Communities Team, acknowledging that the team will be re-shaped across the deployment arrangements of universal, targeted and specialist areas.  This approach is to be introduced in the new municipal year following discussions with the Community Committee Chairs Forum.

·  In terms of measuring success, the Board noted that work had already been undertaken with the Third Sector last year in establishing a narrative for a thriving neighbourhood and that work will continue with the Council’s Performance Management Team to develop a set of Indicators for Thriving Neighbourhoods in consultation with Ward Members, services and local residents.  Linked to this, importance was placed around ensuring that clear benchmarks are identified around relative and absolute improvements.

·  Moving forward, the Board recognised the need for continued Scrutiny and the key role of its successor Board in providing leadership on this agenda as well as engaging other Scrutiny Boards to co-scrutinise the engagement and contribution of all departments and services to the new approach.

·  The Board proposed that a further update report be brought to its successor Scrutiny Board by December 2018 and that future Scrutiny also involves gaining a greater insight into the issues and work undertaken surrounding the six identified priority neighbourhoods though case study evidence and site visits.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That a further update report be brought back to the successor Scrutiny Board by December 2018.

(c)  That the successor Scrutiny Board be encouraged to gather case study evidence and undertake site visits to gain a greater insight into the issues and work undertaken surrounding the six priority neighbourhoods.

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

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support reminded the Scrutiny Board that this was its last scheduled meeting in the current municipal year.

Appended to this report for Members’ information was a copy of the Board’s completed work schedule and the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 7^th February 2018.

In conclusion of the meeting, the Chair took the opportunity to thank Board Members, officers and the relevant Executive Board Members for their support and commitment throughout the year.

RESOLVED – That the work schedule and Executive Board minutes be noted.

(The meeting concluded at 11.30 am)