Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the December meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods).

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

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

The Chair agreed to accept the following documents as supplementary information:-

• Copies of documents submitted to the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) Gypsy and Traveller Working Group held on 29^th November 2010
• Draft note of a meeting of Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) Gypsy and Traveller Working Group held on 29^th November 2010
• Submission of written evidence prepared by the Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (GATE)

The documents in question were not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but circulated by e mail and made available to the public on the Council’s web site prior today’s meeting.

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.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors J Marjoram and L Mulherin.

Notification had been received for Councillor P Grahame to substitute for Councillor L Mulherin.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 8^th November 2010.

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th November 2010 be approved as a correct record.

Further to the Board’s previous considerations, to receive the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development and to receive further evidence from witnesses as part of the Board’s formal Inquiry.

Further to Minute 52, 8^th November 2010, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report updating the Board on progress in respect of the Inquiry on Gypsy and Traveller Site provision in Leeds.

Appended to the report were notes of the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) Gypsy and Travellers Working Group held on 1^st and 15^th November 2010 together with the papers considered at those meetings..

The Board also received a note of the Working Group held on 29^th November, together with the papers considered at that meeting  (Minute 62 refers).

The purpose of today’s Board meeting was to:-

• hear from and ask questions of the witnesses
• receive the meeting notes of the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group meetings held on 1^st, 15^th and 29^th November 2010 and the reports and other papers which were considered at those sessions
• identify any further witnesses the Board would like to hear from before concluding its Inquiry
• consider what, if any, further information the Board would like to receive before concluding this Inquiry

In attendance at the meeting, and responding to Members’ queries and comments were:-

-  Ms Helen Jones, Chief Executive of Leeds GATE

-  Ms Eileen Lowther, Chair of Leeds GATE

-  Ms Kim Maloney, Vice Chair of Leeds GATE

-  Ms Maddy Connors, Representing roadside gypsies and travellers

-  Mr James Connors, Representing roadside gypsies and travellers

-  Mr Michael Maloney, Representing roadside gypsies and travellers

-  Ms Michelle McGill, Chair of New Wortley Residents Association

-  Ms Bridget Emery, Head of Housing Strategy and Solutions

-  Mr Ian Spafford, Head of Community Services & Litigation

The Board noted that apologies for absence had been received from Mr Xavier Chevillard, Vice Chair of New Wortley Residents Associations.

At the request of the Chair, the Board heard evidence from Leeds GATE; roadside gypsies and travellers and the New Wortley Residents Association.

In brief summary, a number of issues were discussed including:-

• the present policy of the Council moving gypsies and travellers from one unlawful encampment to the next
• the view that some local authorities including Cheshire had managed to break the cycle of moving gypsies and travellers from one unlawful encampment to the next  through the initial use of negotiated stopping sites as a short term measure

(The Head of Housing Strategy and Solutions informed the meeting that planning permission was necessary with regards to negotiated stopping sites)

• the need to build on relationships if negotiated stopping sites were introduced as the first step in identifying land for small gypsy and traveller permanent sites in the city 
• the Leeds economy, the benefits system and the high rents at Cottingley Springs
• residents perceptions of gypsies and travellers
• anti social behaviour by some gypsies and travellers including fly tippingand other environmental issues, particularly on playing fields and the damage caused to drainage which was very expensive to repair
• that small sites would be preferred by gypsies and travellers

(  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development outlining the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the remainder of the current municipal year.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with a copy of the Board’s current Work Programme. The Executive Board minutes of 3^rd November 2010, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st December 2010 to 31^st March 2011 were also attached to the report.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Executive Board minutes of 3^rd November 2010, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st December 2010 to 31^st March 2011 be noted.

c)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submit an initial report on interruptions to the refuse collection service following the introduction of new rounds and the recent bad weather for consideration at the meeting of the Scrutiny Board on 17^th January 2011.

d)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser update the work programme in accordance with today’s meeting.

Thursday 6^th January 2011

Monday 17^th January 2011

Monday 14^th February 2011

Monday 14^th March 2011

Monday 11^th April 2011

All at 10.00am (Pre-Meetings 9.30am).

N.B. Please note that the Board meeting previously scheduled for Monday 13^th December will not now take place. Instead, the Working Group in respect of the Board’s Inquiry into Gypsy and Traveller Site Provision in Leeds will meet on that day – all Board Members welcome to attend.  

To note the dates and times of future meetings:-

Thursday 6^th January 2011

Monday 17^th January 2011

Monday 14^th February 2011

Monday 14^th March 2011

Monday 11^th April 2011

All at 10.00am (Pre-Meetings 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 11.55am)