Agenda and minutes

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.

Councillor J Hardy declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 due to his position as a Director of the West North West Homes ALMO, as did Councillors G Hyde and R Grahame due to their positions as Directors of the East North East Homes ALMO.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2012

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the outcome of the LLP review.

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided information on the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 relating to age discrimination and on the outcome of the annual review of the Local Lettings Policies.  The provisions of the Equality Act relating to age were expected to come into force from April 2012 and the ALMOs and BITMO completed their reviews on this basis.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Neil Evands, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods
• Liz Cook, Chief Officer – Statutory Housing
• Gerard Tinsdale, Area Manager – East North East Homes Leeds
• Richard Walker, Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Services, West North West Homes Leeds
• Simon Costigan, Aire valley Homes, Leeds

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• It was reported that the provisions of the Equality Act relating to age discrimination would be delayed to October 2012 at the earliest.
• Pilot projects to restrict lettings to criminals in specific areas – reference was made to pilot schemes in Hawksworth Wood and Holt Park.
• Age restricted lettings – issues discussed included flexibility and sheltered housing.
• Tenant mapping exercise – a profile of the customers and who lived where was being considered.
• Impact of Welfare Reforms.
• Social Care impacts and the Signpost programme.
• Succession of tenancies.
• Age restricted tenancies were based on local knowledge following an in depth consultation process.  These could be amended.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

To consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) summarising the quarter 3 performance data relevant to the Scrutiny Board

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) provided a summary of the quarter 3 performance data relevant to the Scrutiny Board (Safer and Stronger Communities).

Councillor Mark Dobson, Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods were in attendance for this item.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Empty council properties above shops – it was agreed to provide the Board with information on this.  The total number of void properties was currently approximately 1.2% which was the lowest it had ever been.
• Burglary reduction – Leeds was still performing poorly against comparator cities but there had been a continued reduction.  Members discussed the fitting of new style locks to properties and the Community Action and Support Against Crime (CASAC) scheme.
• Refuse collection – issues surrounding the Council’s refuse vehicles and back up teams.  Reference was also made to collection of bulky waste, commercial waste and fly tipping.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

To consider the financial position of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate after 10 months of the 2011/12 financial year.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development informed the Bard of the financial health of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate after ten months of the financial year 2011/12.

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods and Richard Ellis, Head of Finance, Environment and Neighbourhoods were in attendance for this item.

Issues discussed in relation to the report included the following:

• Overspend on staffing – this was affected by various issues including a delay in restructures and additional support for the refuse service.
• Overall savings to be made across the Council.
• The Directorate was trying to accomodata a £9 million  budget reduction this year and would need to save a further £4.5 million next year.
• Members requested further information on the previous years budget and projections for the next year.  Details of the cost of restructuring were also requested.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

To receive an update report on progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny review of the Phase 2 Dog Control Orders project.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development set out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny review of the phase 2 Dog Control Orders.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Councillor Mark Dobson – Executive Member for Environmental Services
• Tom Smith -  Locality Manager, South and Outer East Leeds
• Paul Spandler – Service Manager, South and Outer East Leeds Service Team

Members agreed the progress made on all the recommendations detailed within the report with the exception of Recommendation 9 which related to the use of Dog Control Orders on parks and playing pitches that are used by Schools, in particular that dogs should be kept on leads in these areas. 

In response to Members comments and questions regarding Recommendation 9, the following issues were discussed:

• Members were informed of the difficulties of enforcing such an order using existing powers and the need of schools to co-operate with Parks and Countryside services.  Whilst the concerns had been noted, further to legal advice that had been given on the issue it was not felt that an order could be implemented.
• Duty of care to children.
• Further information on the legal advice provided was requested by Members and Councillor Dobson offered to re-visit the matter with officers.
• It was suggested that Recommendation 9 be re-categorised to Category 5 (Progress made not acceptable. Continue monitoring).

RESOLVED –

i)  That the report and discussion be noted.

ii)  That Recommendation 9 be re-categorised to Category 5 and further information be brought to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Safer and Stronger Communities)

To consider the Board’s Work Schedule

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development detailed the Board’s work schedule.  Also attached were copies of recent Executive Board Minutes and a copy of the Forward Plan relating to the Board’s portfolio.

Members were informed that there would be a meeting of the Fuel Poverty Working Group on Wednesday, Tuesday, 20 March.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

Tuesday, 3 April 2012 at 10.00 a.m.  Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.

Tuesday, 3^rd April 2012 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)