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.)

The following late items had been despatched prior to the meeting:

• Agenda Item 8 – Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team
• Agenda Item 10 – Inquiry into Fuel Poverty – Draft Report

Councillors R Grahame, J Hardy, G Hyde and G Wilkinson declared a personal interest due to their respective positions as ALMO Directors.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors M Hamilton, J Marjoram and N Walshaw.

Councillors G Wilkinson and P Grahame were in attendance as substitute members.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2012 – to follow

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider and agree the Board’s report following its inquiry into Private Rented Sector Housing

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the Board’s Draft Report following the Inquiry into Private Sector Housing.

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods was in attendance for this item.

It was reported that the Inquiry had been useful and that the recommendations detailed in the report would be supported.  Before the report was submitted to Executive Board, a resource plan would be developed and work was being planned in respect of this. 

Further issues discussed included the Article 4 Direction, growth of Housies in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and waiting lists.

RESOLVED – That the Private Rented Sector Housing Draft Report be approved.

To consider and agree the Board’s report following its inquiry into Fuel Poverty  - Draft Report to Follow

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the Board’s Draft Report following the Inquiry into Private Sector Housing.

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods was in attendance for this item.

Issues discussed in relation to the draft report included the following:

• Linkages to public health and a risk based approach for vulnerable people.
• Development of a resource plan.
• Annual checks.
• Schemes in other areas – the fuel scheme provided by South Holland District Council and a pilot scheme being carried out in Manchester.
• Changes to the welfare system.
• Smart meter technology.

RESOLVED - That the Fuel Poverty Inquiry Draft Report be approved.

To receive an update report regarding the implications of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided the Board with a summary of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and outlined the initial implications to the City in relation to the introduction of an elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) from November 2012.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods
• Keith Gilert,  Chief Officer – Community Safety
• Liz Jarmin, Head of Community Safety Partnerships

Members were reminded that the Board had a role as the Council’s ‘Crime and Disorder Committee’ and it was within the Board’s remit to review or scrutinise decisions of the local Community Safety Partnership.  It was reported that the Board would not have the same remit with respect to the Police and crime Commissioner and this would sit with a newly formed Police and Crime Panel.  The Board would still be able to track progress.

Further issues highlighted from the report included the following:

• Elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) would take place on 15 November 2012 with the successful candidate taking up post on the 22 November.
• A shadow Police and Crime Panel would be in place in June 2012 and become fully operational following the election of the PCC.
• Safer Leeds main priorities included burglary reduction, anti social behaviour and safeguarding.
• The PCC would be held to account by the Police and Crime Panel.

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

• Building links between Scrutiny and the PCC.
• Scrutiny of budgetary measures and accountability in relation to the PCC would be carried out by the Police and Crime Panel.  The Board would be able to continue looking at local issues and matters in relation to the Safer Leeds Partnership.
• It was suggested that the Association of West Yorkshire Authorities (AWYA) take on the secretariat role for the Police and Crime Panel, government funding would be available for scrutiny arrangements.
• Members attention was brought to the roles and powers of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Police and Crime Panel.
• Elected Member representation on the Police and Crime Panel.
• Partnership arrangements.
• Community Safety responsibilities of the Council.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

(Councillor J Jarosz declared a personal interest in this item due to her employment with the Probation Service).

To receive an update report on the LASBT – Report to follow

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development provided the Board with an update on the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team.  A copy of a report that had been submitted to Executive Board in March 2012 was included with the agenda.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods
• Harvinder Saimbhi, Head of Anti-Social Behaviour
• Councillor P Gruen, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration

Members attention was brought to key issues in the report, particularly the recommendation regarding noise nuisance.  It was reported that the Domestic Noise service had been moved to the remit of the Anti Social Behaviour Team and it was suggested that this could be a useful area for Scrutiny to consider.  Further reference was made to Out of Hours Noise Services and the need to provide consistency across the City.

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

• There had been investment in new equipment to measure levels of noise disturbance.
• Work with private landlords – this was an area of work that was under development and would include other issues including problems with litter and rubbish.
• Noise problems from licensed premises.
• Timescales for dealing with reported problems.  This had reduced and it was hoped to achieve a target of 60 days.
• Work with partners including West Yorkshire Police and the ALMOs.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

The Chair thanked officers and all Members of the Board for their contribution over the 2011/12 Municipal Year.  He also thanked Councillors Dobson and Gruen for their contribution as Executive Members.