Agenda and minutes

Contact: Stuart Robinson Telephone: 247 4360 

Items
No. Item

1.

Chair's Opening Remarks

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) for the municipal year 2008/09.

 

 

2.

Declarations of Interest

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

Minutes:

The following personal declarations were declared:-

 

·  Councillor B Anderson in his capacity as Chairman of the West North West Leeds ALMO - Input to Work Programme 2008/09 – Sources of Work and Establishing Board’s Priorities (Agenda Item 7) (Minute 5 refers)

 

·  Councillor D Hollingsworth in his capacity as a Director of Leeds East North East Homes ALMO - Input to Work Programme 2008/09 – Sources of Work and Establishing Board’s Priorities (Agenda Item 7) (Minute 5 refers)

 

3.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor A Gabriel.

 

4.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 101 KB

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 13th May 2008.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13th May 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

5.

Input to Work Programme2008/09 - Sources of Work and Establishing the Board's Priorities pdf icon PDF 80 KB

(a)  To hear from the Director and officers on current issues and ask questions

 

(b)  To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing information to assist the Board to develop its work programme for 2008/09 on:-

 

  (i)   Board’s Terms of Reference.

 

  (ii)  Core information on relevant aspects of the:- 

 

·    Local Area Agreement/Leeds Strategic Plan

 

·  Corporate Assessment Actions 2008

 

·  Corporate performance management  information (PIs) and any identified areas for improvement;

 

·  Details of any forthcoming external  audit  reviews;

 

·  Outstanding Issues from previous Municipal Year

 

(iii)  Current Forward Plan and minutes of last Executive Board  meeting.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with information and guidance to assist the Board to develop its work programme for 2008/09.

 

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

 

(i)  Board’s Terms of Reference

(ii)  Core information on relevant aspects of the:-

·  Local Area Agreement/Leeds Strategic Plan

·  Corporate Assessment Actions 2008

·  Corporate performance management information (Pls) and any identified areas of improvement

·  Details of any forthcoming external audit reviews

·  Outstanding issues from previous municipal year

(iii)  Current Forward Plan and minutes of last Executive Board meeting held on 14th May 2008

 

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Councillor J L Carter, Executive Member with portfolio responsibility for Neighbourhoods and Housing; Stephen Boyle, Chief Regeneration Officer, Environment and Neighbourhoods and Paul Langford, Chief Housing Officer, Environment and Neighbourhoods, who were in attendance to respond to questions from the Board.

 

The Executive Board Member with portfolio for Neighbourhoods and Housing outlined some of the pressures on the department for the coming year and also raised some topics for possible scrutiny by the Board.

 

The Chief Regeneration Officer and Chief Housing Officer summarised the key activities and priorities of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Department for the year ahead and suggested topics that the Board might like to consider including in their work programme.

 

Members commented on and sought further clarification on a number of particular issues for possible inclusion in the Board’s future work programme.

 

Following detailed discussions, the Chair thanked the Executive Board Member and officers for their attendance.

 

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

 

(Councillor G Hyde joined the meeting at 2.05 pm during discussions of the above item)

 

(Councillor A Taylor left the meeting at 2.15  pm during discussions of the above item)

 

6.

Determine Work Programme 2008/09 pdf icon PDF 83 KB

To consider the Board’s formal conclusions and recommendations arising from consideration of Item 8.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report requesting that the Board consider formulating a draft work programme.

 

The Board discussed various issues for possible inquiry, update reports required and topics to be included in the work programme for the year.

 

The Board expressed interest in holding Inquiries on the following (to be scheduled):-

 

·  Anti Social Behaviour

·  Community Cohesion with reference to:-

-  Increased community involvement in service delivery and volunteering

-   Greater resident and stakeholder confidence in ability to influence Council decisions

-  Cohesion and Integration

-  Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector capacity

·  Leeds Housing Market

·  Scrutiny Inquiry into Housing Letting pressures-to continue last year’s  

      work

·  Review Impact of the Case Resolution Programme for Asylum Seekers   

      and Clustering Levels

·  ALMO Inspection Review

·  HMO Licensing Impact and Review

 

The Board also expressed an interest in the following matters and requested written reports during 2008/09 via the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser:-

 

·  Rodent Control

·  Statistical data and accessibility of information on rape crimes

·  Environmental management around Council estates

·  Supporting People Inspection Plan Review

·  Area Management Changes i.e.

-  New working arrangements – three new Area Management Teams

-  Strengthening Members role and influence in local partnership working

·  Wyther Community Centre

·  Miscellaneous properties

 

RESOLVED – That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser, in conjunction with the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, be requested to update and timetable the Board’s work programme with a view to incorporating the above Inquiries and reports.

 

 

7.

Date and Time of Next Meetings

To note and approve the following:-

 

Thursday 24th July 2008 at 10.00am

Monday 8th September 2008 at 10.00am

Monday 13th October 2008 at 10.00am

Monday 10th November 2008 at 10.00am

Monday 8th December 2008 at 1.00pm

Monday 12th January 2009 at 10.00am

Monday 9th February 2009 at 10.00am

Monday 16th March 2009 at 10.00am

Monday 20th April 2009 at 10.00am

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the following dates and times be noted and approved:-

 

Thursday 24th July 2008 at 10.00 am

Monday 8th September 2008 at 10.00 am

Monday 13th October 2008 at 10.00 am

Monday 10th November 2008 at 10.00 am

Monday 8th December 2008 at 1.00 pm*

Monday 12th January 2009 at 10.00 am

Monday 9th February 2009 at 10.00 am

Monday 16th March 2009 at 10.00 am

Monday 20th April 2009 at 10.00 am.

 

(NB: All Pre-meetings to take place at 9.30am (*12.30pm) before the meeting)

 

 

 

 

 

(The meeting concluded at 2.40 pm)