Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on the agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 18 January 2011.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the last meeting of the committee held on 18 January 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the committee’s remit can do so.  The deadline for registering is Monday 28 February 2011 at 5.00pm.

There were no registrations to speak under the council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Mike Ryan – Director LDU York – York and North Yorkshire Probation Trust will give a presentation on “Contribution to Safer York”.

The following documents are attached in support of the presentation:

• Handouts from presentation (Annex A)
• York and North Yorkshire Probation Trust Annual Report Summary 2009-10 (Annex B)

The Director of LDU York – York and North Yorkshire Probation Trust gave a presentation on “Contribution to Safer York”.  A copy of the presentation is included in the agenda papers for the meeting.

Members asked how the reoffending rate in York compared to other areas.  They were informed that the situation had improved since the introduction of Integrated Offender Management and that York was now about average when comparisons were made with other areas.

Clarification was sought as to whether members of the public were included in the membership of the Community Engagement Group.  Members were informed that they were not but that they were represented by community leaders on the group.  Although the Probation Trust did engage with the public, difficulties had previously arisen when this had taken the form of public meetings.

Discussion took place as to the value of community pay back and the forms that this could take.  It was noted that the council was a key beneficiary in terms of schemes such as graffiti removal, litter picking and cycle path clearance.

This report presents an overview of performance at Quarter 3 2010/11 for environmental and regulatory services managed from within the Communities and Neighbourhoods Directorate.

Members considered a report that presented an overview of performance at Q3 2010/11 for environmental and regulatory services managed from within the Communities and Neighbourhoods Directorate. 

Members noted that the significant exceptions related to waste management (NI192, 193) and fly-tipping targets (NI196).  In respect of fly-tipping, although the third quarter had been more positive, the annual figure was a projected 13% rise.  The current forecasts based on Q3 data indicated that recycling and landfill levels were improving but this year’s targets of 48.1% for recycling and 51.1% for landfill would not be achieved.  Officers were asked why there had been a reduction in the green waste levels collected.  Officers explained that the service had been suspended for a period, but even before that time the levels had reduced.  The adverse weather conditions were likely to have been a factor.

Officers stated that the budget for the portfolio indicated a forecast overspend of £393k. The main areas causing the overspend were a projected shortfall in income from Commercial Waste activities, along with a forecast increase in the cost of winter maintenance following the period of severe weather during December.  Work was being carried out to address the current overspend position in order to outturn within budget by the end of the financial year. 

Members requested that information be provided on enforcement activity, particularly in respect of the number of fixed penalty notices that had been issued.¹

RESOLVED:That the financial and performance position of the portfolio be noted.

REASON:      In accordance with budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.

This report details performance on the Community Safety Plan.

Members received a report from Safer York Partnership that detailed performance on the Community Safety Plan.

Members noted that the overall end-year figure for cycle theft was still a cause for concern.  There had only been 39 cycle thefts in December but this had mainly been due to the snow, as many people had chosen not to cycle.  Details were given of the strategies that had been implemented to seek to reduce cycle theft.   A suggestion was put forward that, as well as looking at how other cities in Britain tackled this issue, consideration should be given as to the strategies that had been implemented by other European cities.  It was noted that arrest rates remained low.  Reference was made to the scrutiny review of cycle policy and provision of facilities that had taken place in 2003-4.  One of the recommendations of the review had been that there should be high security cycle parking.

It was noted that, in respect of hate crime, the figures had increased but that this may be as a result of people being less reluctant to report hate crime incidents. The police had actively engaged with communities and encouraged them to report such incidents. 

Members sought clarification regarding the statistics on gun crime.  Officers explained that the incidents mainly related to ball-bearing guns being used in an anti-social manner. 

RESOLVED:            That the report be noted.

REASON:      To ensure that the committee is informed of performance in implementing the Community Safety Plan.

This report reports on the performance of North Yorkshire Police.

Members received a report that reported on the performance of North Yorkshire Police.

Members requested that they receive further clarification in respect of the figures on the percentage of victims given updates without asking, as the figures appeared to show a decline whilst the trend was identified as “improving”.¹

It was noted that the report on the restructure of the North Yorkshire Police that was due to have been considered at this meeting, had been deferred to the next meeting.  This decision had been taken in view of the number of items on the agenda.  The deferral of this item would also better enable the impact of the recent restructure to be assessed.

RESOLVED:            That the report be noted.

REASON:      To ensure that the committee is kept informed of the performance of North Yorkshire Police.

The final report of the Taxi Licensing Review is presented for consideration.

Members considered the final report of the Taxi Licensing Review.  Copies of written representation that had been received from two members of York Hackney Carriage Drivers Association were tabled.

Councillor Watt, Chair of the Task Group, gave details of their key recommendations.

Discussion took place regarding the recommendation that, for a 12-month trial period, the rank at Duncombe Place be made available for use on a full-time basis.  Whilst most Members supported the recommendation and believed that there was public demand for a full-time rank at this site, some concerns were raised regarding the impact that this arrangement could have on local residents and residents at the nearby hotel.  Officers explained the difficulties that they were facing in enforcing the existing arrangements.

Members asked if consideration had been given to requiring all hackney carriages to have black livery with the crest.  Councillor Watt explained that the Task Group supported the council’s policy but, in view of the outcome of the legal challenge that had been lodged on this issue, had deemed that this could only be advisory as it was not enforceable.

Discussion took place as to the recommendations in respect of improvements to air quality.  In respect of the introduction of vehicle charging points, it was noted that taxis did not necessarily only travel within the city and hence this would need to be taken into account.

RESOLVED:That the Taxi Licensing Final Report and recommendations be approved.

REASON:      To conclude the review and enable the presentation of the final report to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee for consideration.

This report presents a brief history of the proposed topic on CCTV in York, together with a revised topic registration form and possible review remit.

Members received a report that presented a brief history of the proposed topic on CCTV in York. 

As agreed at the previous meeting, Councillors Gillies, Vassie and Alexander had met to discuss the possibility of amalgamating the two topic registration forms.  Councillor Vassie updated Members on the outcome of the meeting:

• It had been agreed that it would be appropriate for the two registration forms to be combined.
• It had been noted that a report was to be prepared on the issue of shared services and this was due to be completed by June.  The scrutiny officer had been asked to contact the consultants who were preparing the report to request that they meet with Members as soon as possible.  It was important that they were made aware of Members’ concerns and that Members’ views were fed into the report.  There were significant issues to be addressed if data in York was to be shared with other regions.
• It was recommended that, after the report was published in June, a decision should be taken by the committee as to whether or not to proceed with a review.
• It was noted that work was taking place at central government level regarding CCTV and hence this also needed to be taken into account.

RESOLVED:That the suggested action proposed by Councillors Alexander, Gillies and Vassie be endorsed.

REASON:      To progress the work of this committee in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols.

Members are asked to consider the committee’s workplan.

Consideration was given to the current workplan and the draft workplan for 2011-12.

RESOLVED:            That the workplans be approved.

REASON:      To progress the work of this Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols.