Agenda and minutes

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

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

RESOLVED:             That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Annex 7 to Executive item 9 (Proposed Sale of Housing Revenue Account Land) (minute 189 refers), on the grounds that it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons, which was classed as exempt under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Shadow Executive meeting held on 21 February 2007.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting of the Shadow Executive held on 21 February 2007 be approved 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 Shadow Executive’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is Tuesday 6 March 2007, at 5.00 pm.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

The Shadow Executive noted the business on the Executive Forward Plan at page 15 of the papers circulated for the Executive meeting to be held on 13 March 2007.

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 6 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 13 March 2007, at page 17.  The report presented the minutes of a recent meeting of the Social Inclusion Working Group and asked Members to consider the advice given by the Working Group in its capacity as an advisory body to the Executive.

Having discussed the issues set out in the report, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive notes the report.

RESOLVED:(i) That the Executive be asked to take the above comments into account when considering this item.

(ii)                        That the item not be called in.

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 7 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 13 March 2007, at page 27.  The report summarised the main findings and recommendations arising from the Audit Commission’s study of arrangements for deciding and delivering the Council priorities.

Having discussed the issues set out in the report, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive:

·  Expresses surprise that such a short report has been produced on such a major topic;

·  Nonetheless welcomes the fact that the report has been published for the Executive and Shadow Executive, given the unfortunate way the new Audit & Governance Committee is isolated in the Constitution;

·  Feels that it would have been helpful if the report had incorporated the views of Audit & Governance Committee when it considered it on 31 January 2007;

·  Expresses concern that little progress seems to have been made over a number of years, given that the main improvement themes appear to be largely the same as in previous years.

RESOLVED:(i) That the Executive be asked to take the above comments into account when considering this item.

(ii)                        That the item not be called in.

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 8 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 13 March 2007, at page 31.  The report presented the final report on the scrutiny review relating to ‘Guidance for Sustainable Development’, which had been endorsed by the Scrutiny Management Committee for referral to the Executive.

Having discussed the issues set out in the report, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive:

·  Comments that names of the Members of the original Scrutiny Board have not been included in the final scrutiny report;

·  Expresses concern that the final report and recommendations appear to incorporate issues which the original Board had not discussed;

·  Feel that the final report remains inaccessible to the wider public, by virtue of its being overlong and using overcomplicated language;

·  Adds, in summary, that the long time and effort taken to produce the report has been, in its opinion, a significant and inappropriate waste of scarce scrutiny resources, although they accept new procedures have now been introduced by Scrutiny Management Committee to assess the feasibility of topics registered and to monitor their progress.

RESOLVED:(i) That the Executive be asked to take the above comments into account when considering this item.

(ii)                        That the item not be called in.

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 9 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 13 March 2007, at page 83.  The report sought Executive approval for the leasehold sale of three Housing Revenue Account (HRA) owned sites to housing associations, for the building of approximately twenty new affordable homes for rent.

Having discussed the issues set out in the report, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive expressed their general support for the proposals but made the following specific points::

·  There should be a more comprehensive redevelopment scheme for the wider area in relation to Morritt Close as there are two other derelict sites that could be used for affordable housing very close by and it would be sensible to look at the 68 Club at the same time to see if it could be improved;

·  In light of representations from existing Morritt Close residents, it is suggested that  a communal garden area would be beneficially provided as part of the scheme;

·  Efforts should be made to avoid overlooking problems in relation to the Dane Avenue proposals;

·  Decent alternative play provision should be considered in the Chapelfields Area and consideration should be given to another Adventure Playground in the Westfield area.

RESOLVED:(i) That the Executive be asked to take the above comments into account when considering this item.

(ii)                        That the item not be called in.

To receive a briefing from the Director of Neighbourhood Services on the Safer York Partnership and city-wide crime prevention initiatives.

The Shadow Executive received a briefing from the Director of Neighbourhood Services on the Safer York Partnership and city-wide crime prevention initiatives.The Head of Network Management attended the meeting to contribute to the discussion and reported on progress towards developing CCTV coverage to assist in tackling crime.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services reported on the steps which had recently been undertaken to resolve ongoing issues with the performance of Safer York Partnership and the development of city-wide crime initiatives.  These included:

·        Structural changes to the membership of Safer York Partnership Board (SYP); and

·        Line management arrangements for SYP being transferred to Neighbourhood Services Directorate

The purpose of these changes being to ensure neighbourhood action planning worked more effectively across communities in order to achieve real neighbourhood working.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services then responded to questions regarding links to neighbourhood policing and the performance of Joint Action Groups (JAGS). 

In relation to CCTV cameras, the Head of Network Management then gave examples of different camera types and their purpose and suggested use, together with proposals for funding these or progressing the initiatives further.

Members enquired about support for analysing information ‘caught’ by CCTV coverage.  They specifically emphasised the importance of getting a city-wide mesh into place and the Head of Network Management confirmed that arrangements were ongoing to ensure this happened within 18 months to 2 years.

RESOLVED:            That the briefing be noted.

To receive a briefing from the Director of Neighbourhood Services and the Police Area Commander on neighbourhood policing.

The Shadow Executive received a brief update from the Director of Neighbourhood Services on proposed improvements to neighbourhood policing.  In particular, he advised Members that the noise nuisance system now linked directly to the duty police officer.  Additionally, he emphasised the contribution the ‘drugs agenda’ made towards the aim to reduce crime. 

Members noted the Police Area Commander had not been able to attend the meeting, as requested.  The debate, therefore, focussed around crime prevention initiatives set out in the previous item.

RESOLVED:             That the briefing be noted.