Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone at today’s Scrutiny Board (Environment & Neighbourhoods) meeting.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

 In accordance with his powers under Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair consented to the submission of a late item of business relating to a summary note on the key issues raised by the working group to-date (Agenda Item 9)(Minute 72  -  Appendix 1 refers).

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.

The following declarations of interested were declared:

·  Councillor A Blackburn in her capacity as a Director of West North West Homes Leeds Homes (Agenda Item 8 – Minute 71 refers).

·  Councillor A Castle in her capacity as a member of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (Agenda Item 8 – Minute 71 refers).

·  Councillor D Hollingsworth in his capacity as a Director of East North East Homes Leeds and a Member of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (Agenda Item 8 – Minute 71 refers).

·  Councillor J Jarosz in her capacity being employed as a Probation Officer/Court Liaison Officer, Leeds Magistrates Court (Agenda Item 8 – Minute 71 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor G Hyde.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th November 2009.

 The Chair gave an update on the following minutes relating to information requested by the Board, as referred to in Minute 58:

·  Minute 50 - Inquiry into Older People’s Housing – That a written update around customer profiling and the number of customers taking advantage of the Council’s incentive scheme to downsize would shortly be circulated to Board Members. 

·  Minute 48 – Statement on Enforcement of Dog Fouling – Dog Warden Service Strategy -  The Chair explained that a full progress report following the Board’s review around Dog Fouling Enforcement would be submitted to the 8^th February 2010 meeting.  However, Members requested that this information be considered earlier by the Board.

·  Minute 51 – Housing Solutions/Mortgage Rescue – That a written explanation for the low uptake of mortgage rescue schemes was submitted to Board Members last week.

·  Minute 60 – Inquiry into Recycling  - With regard to the new waste transfer station off Kirkstall Road, further clarification was sought on the commencement date for the traffic survey to measure the potential impact that the lorries using the site would have on traffic levels.

  (In response, Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer    highlighted that the traffic survey was expected to commence in February   2010). 

  In noting that lorries would not be expected to enter the site during peak   times,  clarification was sought on what were considered to be ‘peak times’.    Members also requested confirmation of expected movements of those   lorries accessing the site and the tonnage of waste to be transported.

To note the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 4^th November 2009.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 4^th November 2009 be received and noted.

To consider a report from the Head of Policy and Performance presenting an overview of performance against the priority outcomes relevant to the Scrutiny Board’s portfolio and an analysis of performance indicator results at the end of Quarter 2. 

The Head of Policy and Performance submitted a report providing an overview of performance against the priority outcomes relevant to Environment and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board including analysis of performance indicator results at the end of Quarter 2 in order that the Board may understand and challenge current performance.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

·  Councillor L Carter, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Housing.

·  Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

·  Debra Scott, Head of Service Improvement.

·  Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer.

The Chair invited Board Members to comment on those areas of interest within the performance indicators. 

In brief, the main issues raised were:

·  TP-1a – Increase in the number of decent homes.

-  Councillor Dowson requested a further update on the houses currently under appraisal in Chapeltown.

  (In response, the Director agreed to send this information to Councillor   Dowson).

·  TP–1d – Reduce the number of people who are not able to adequately heat their homes.

-    Reference was made to the discontinuation of the Heat Lease Scheme   by ALMOs following criticism by inspectors about the scheme being   inequitable.  However, Members felt that an alternative ‘top up’   scheme should be considered to allow residents to pay towards an   enhanced heating system beyond the expected decency standard.    Clarification was sought on what would happen to existing residents   already part of  the Heat Lease Scheme.

  Members requested that  a report be submitted to this Scrutiny Board   setting out the different schemes available to help address fuel poverty,   including those targeted at the private sector.

·  Improvement Priority – ENV-2b-Increase the amount of waste reused and recycled

-  Members questioned the impact of the recent industrial action on   recycling collection figures.  It was highlighted that whilst the October   figures did not show a significant reduction in the collection of   recyclables, the December and January figures would help to give a   clearer picture of the level of impact. 

  Members therefore requested that these figures be reported back to   the Board. 

  Reference was also made to the poor condition and state of   cleanliness on Black Hill Road, which was a route used by lorries from   Nutramulch Yorkshire Limited Recycling. 

  Members requested that this matter be addressed and brought to the attention of Highway Services.

    Following the strike action, Members sought clarification of how the   efficiency measures now in place would help to increase recycling   rates and noted that where resources were to be freed up, this would be targeted at recycling work.

  Members sought assurances that all street cleansing routes within the   city centre were being covered without the need for overtime. 

  (In response, Andrew Mason,  Chief Environmental Services Officer   agreed to formally report back to the Board on this matter).

  It was also noted that the food waste collection pilot scheme would now   commence in February 2010.

·  Improvement Priority – TP-3a.  Reduce worklessness across the city with

  a focus on deprived areas

  -  Reference was made to the closure of Chapeltown Job Shop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting an update on the Scrutiny review into Worklessness, which is being conducted by a working group of the Board.

(Appendix 1 – to follow)

Following a request from the Board for an update on the Worklessness Review, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report giving up-to-date unemployment figures.

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

·  Appendix 1 -  Worklessness Review – Summary of the key issues raised to date.

·  Appendix 2 – Monthly report to Worklessness Strategic Outcomes Group:  October 2009.

·  Appendix 3  -  Quarterly report to Worklessness Strategic Outcomes Group;  October 2009.  City-wide working age client group date update.

Sue Wynne, Head of Regeneration, Policy and Planning presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In acknowledging the list of existing employability support provided within Leeds, Members suggested adding mentoring schemes which are targeted at Schools to provide leadership and guidance for young people too.

Particular reference was made to the 4 Families pilot programme, which was targeted at households furthest away from the labour market and aims to achieve better integrated working.  However, further clarification was sought on the areas targeted by this programme.

It was noted that this pilot was based on the lessons learned from the Signpost programme.  Similarities were also made with the existing Common Assessment Framework (CAF) within Children’s Services in terms of adopting a lead mentoring approach.  However, clarification was requested on whether the 4 Families mentors would also report directly to Schools.

Reference was made to the membership of the Worklessness Strategic Outcomes Group (WSOG).  Whilst acknowledging representation from Children’s Services, Members raised concerns that the group did not include a representative from Education Leeds.  (In response, Sue Wynne agreed to report this back to the Chair of the WSOG).

In noting the local unemployment data, clarification was sought on whether the figures for Job Seeker Allowance claimants still included those which had expired.  (In response, Sue Wynne agreed to get clarification from Jobcentre Plus).

The Chair thanked Sue Wynne for her attendance.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and its appendices be received and   the   comments now made be noted.

(b)  To note that the next working group meeting was now arranged for   Monday,  4^th January 2010.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting a quarterly recommendation tracking report.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a quarterly recommendation tracking report which focused on previous inquiries into  Affordable Housing (2006) and CO2 emissions (2008).

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents:

·  Appendix 1 – Recommendation tracking flowchart and classifications.

·  Appendix 2 – Recommendation tracking – Progress Report (December 2009).

Members agreed the status assigned to the outstanding recommendations from the Affordable Housing and CO2 Emissions inquiries.  With regard to the CO2 Emissions recommendations, Members requested that the Board be kept informed of future progress via the City Development Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED -  That the contents of the report, its appendices and the comments now made be received and noted.

To consider and agree a draft interim Statement of the Board in relation to the procurement of the Grounds Maintenance Contract for 2011.

(Draft interim Statement - to follow)

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred to the next

Scrutiny Board (Environment & Neighbourhoods) meeting to be held on

11^th January 2010.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s current work programme.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the Board’s current work programme.

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

·  Appendix 1 – Current work programme, including an update on the reviews being conducted by the Board’s working groups.

·  Appendix 2 – Relevant extract of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st December 2009 to 31^st March 2010.

As requested earlier in Minute 71 above, that a report setting out the different schemes available to help address fuel poverty, including those targeted at the private sector be added to the work programme.

RESOLVED -  That the contents of the report, its appendices and the comments now made be received and noted.

Monday, 11^th January 2010 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting at 9.30 a.m.)

Monday, 11^th January 2010 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting at 9.30 a.m.)

The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and wished everyone a

Merry Christmas and a successful 2010.

(The meeting concluded at  11:50 a.m.).