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.)

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting. In relation to the item entitled, ‘Bulky Waste Collection Service Policy’, Councillor R Grahame drew the Board’s attention to his position as a GMB Union member (Minute No. 58 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Blackburn,

M Robinson and N Walshaw.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2013.

Further to minute no. 49, the Chair confirmed that a response had been submitted in relation to the PCCs consultation on the Police and Crime Plan which reflected the Scrutiny Board’s discussion last month.

Linked to this, a discussion was held around the importance of reducing domestic violence and abuse as one of the key priorities for the city, with reference made to issues already arising from the Board’s current inquiry into tackling domestic violence and abuse.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Housing on the work taking place across the city to tackle extremism.

The report of the Director of Environment and Housing set out the activity that takes place across various agencies to combat extremism and terrorist activity under the Government’s Counter Terrorist Strategy (CONTEST).

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Keith Gilert, Chief Officer Community Safety

-  Liz Jarmin, Head of Community Safety Partnerships

-  Nadeem Siddique, Prevent Coordinator.

The key points raised during the Board’s discussion were as follows:

·  The relevance of the four workstreams relating to the CONTEST Strategy: Pursue, Prevent, Protect and Prepare.

·  The legal framework for the policing of protest (reference was made to the ‘Adapting to Protest’ HMIC document)

·  Issues surrounding the Prevent Agenda and the role of the Gold, Silver and Channel partnership groups in developing a coordinated approach and response to the threats associated with the Prevent Agenda.

·  The valuable and unique role of Leeds’ Prevent Coordinator.

·  Members praised the recent Prevent Seminar as being very informative and suggested that opportunities are explored to incorporate this into the Member Induction Programme.

·  The need to strengthen links between Ward Members and their relevant Prevent Lead Officer.

·  Members supported the proposal to establish a small Elected Member reference group to receive updates on the progress of work under the CONTEST Strategy on a six monthly basis.  It was suggested that discussions are held with Chief Whips when determining the membership of this group.

In conclusion of this item, the Chair acknowledged the announcement that there would be a new Chief Officer Community Safety.  Members therefore took this opportunity to thank Chief Superintendent Keith Gilert for his support and contribution to the work of Scrutiny and to wish him well in his new role.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Scrutiny Board welcomes the current activity surrounding the CONTEST Strategy

(b)  That the Scrutiny Board supports the proposal to form an Elected Member reference group to receive updates on the progress of work under the CONTEST Strategy on a six monthly basis.

(Councillor P Davey arrived at 10.15 am during consideration of this item).

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Housing on proposals for changes to the policy for bulky waste collection across the city.

The report of the Director of Environment and Housing provided the opportunity for the Scrutiny Board to comment on proposals for changes to the policy for bulky waste collection across the city.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Councillor Mark Dobson, Executive Board Member for Environment

-  Tom Smith, Locality Manager (South and Outer East Leeds)

In consideration of this report, the following issues were discussed:

·  Establishing a locality based service – it was noted that the bulky waste collection service has been under the responsibility of Locality Teams since April 2013 and that many of the environmental activities currently undertaken by Housing Leeds will also be transferred to Locality Teams.  Linked to this, there will also be a move to more zonally based resources and a more flexible workforce.

·  Multi-storey flats – it was highlighted that separate funding remains within Housing Leeds to address specific issues associated with multi-storey flats.

·  Garden waste collection service - it was highlighted that this service is intended primarily to divert waste from black bins and not to increase overall levels of waste being collected.  Households are therefore being advised to compost their excess garden waste or take it to their nearest household waste recycling site.

·  Bin yards – concerns were raised about the inappropriate use of bin yards for disposing waste.  However, Members also discussed the difficulties associated with enforcing this effectively.

Members also requested additional information to substantiate the following points made during the Board’s discussion:

·  That only a small minority of Leeds’ households use the bulky waste collection service (around 8%), with no emerging patterns relating to service users.

·  That work undertaken with other core cities around bulky waste collection services had not raised specific concerns about the potential impact on fly-tipping.

·  That many items collected by the Council could be collected for reuse by other organisations through the existing network of third sector organisations, with particular work being undertaken to support the Furniture Reuse Network.

The Chair requested that this information be brought back to the Board in January 2014.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the Scrutiny Board notes the content of the Director’s report.

(b) That the additional information requested above be brought back to the Scrutiny Board in January 2014.

To consider the Board’s work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the Board’s latest work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year. 

The Chair reminded the Board of the following:

·  Inquiry into domestic violence and abuse – that session four of the inquiry would be held on 10th December at 10.30 am.  This session focuses on raising awareness amongst young people.  Linked to this inquiry, the Chair also thanked Women’s Health Matters for hosting a visit for Board Members on 4th December 2013 (Councillors Coupar, Jarosz and Harland took part in this visit).

·  2014/15 initial budget proposals - that a working group meeting would be held on Wednesday 11th December at 3 pm.  However, the Board’s January meeting would also be used to provide a further opportunity to comment on the proposals.

·  PCSOs – that a second working group meeting would be held on Thursday 19th December at 4 pm in line with the Board’s review of the role, number and targeting of PCSOs in Leeds.

RESOLVED – That the Board’s work schedule be updated to reflect the Board’s discussion today.

Monday, 13 January 2014 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

Monday, 13^th January 2014 at 10.00 am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 am)

(The meeting concluded at 11.05 am).