Agenda, decisions 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.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2007.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the last meeting of the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services and Advisory Panel, held on 6 December 2007, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 Panel’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Friday 18 January 2008 at 5pm.

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

This report outlines the approach and development of Neighbourhood Action Plan’s (NAP’s) across the city, taking into account the details and ethos contained within the Local Government White Paper – Strong and Prosperous Communities.  The Executive Member is asked to note the development of the documents to date and to approve a new delivery framework.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the content of the report and the development of NAPs citywide to date be noted;

(ii)     That Option One for the future development of the NAPs be approved, to enhance their corporate role and greater involve partners in identification and resolution of local priorities, as outlined in paragraphs 15-18 of the report.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:(i) So that Members are aware of the content and development of NAPs to date;

                        (ii) To comply with the Council’s obligation contained within the Council’s Constitution Part 3 Schedule 2 concerning the functions of Ward Committees, to deliver strategic links with the Local Area Agreement and Sustainable Community Strategy and to comply with the requirements of central government in terms of the neighbourhood management and engagement and involvement ethos.

Members received a report which outlined the approach and development of Neighbourhood Action Plan’s (NAPs) across the city, which took into account the details and ethos contained within the Local Government White Paper – Strong and Prosperous Communities.  The Executive Member was asked to note the development of the documents to date and to approve a new delivery framework.

The report presented the following options for consideration:

·  Option One – To implement the continued development of the NAPs, as detailed in paragraphs 15-18 of the report;

·  Option Two – To request that officers develop further models for their delivery and report back to the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services and Advisory Panel (EMAP) at a later date.

Members highlighted the importance of involving other Council directorates, partners and the voluntary sector in NAPs and officers outlined current work that was being undertaken to do this.  It was also noted that schools have to demonstrate community cohesion plans to Ofsted and that this could be linked to NAPs.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the content of the report and the development of NAPs citywide to date be noted;

(ii)     That Option One for the future development of the NAPs be approved, to enhance their corporate role and greater involve partners in identification and resolution of local priorities, as outlined in paragraphs 15-18 of the report.¹

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:(i) So that Members are aware of the content and development of NAPs to date;

                        (ii) To comply with the Council’s obligation contained within the Council’s Constitution Part 3 Schedule 2 concerning the functions of Ward Committees, to deliver strategic links with the Local Area Agreement and Sustainable Community Strategy and to comply with the requirements of central government in terms of the neighbourhood management and engagement and involvement ethos.

This report provides an introduction to the presentation that will be given to the meeting by Steve Graham, Regional Director of Environmental Campaigns (ENCAMS), following a ‘Light Touch Review’ of the new Neighbourhood Pride Service.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the recommendations from the review, as detailed in paragraph 6 of the report, be approved.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To further improve service delivery of the Neighbourhood Pride Service.

Members received a report which provided an introduction to the presentation that was given to the meeting by Steve Graham, Regional Director of Environmental Campaigns (ENCAMS), following a ‘Light Touch Review’ of the new Neighbourhood Pride Service.

The presentation also outlined methods for dealing with graffiti.

The report presented the following options for consideration:

·  Option 1 – to agree all of the recommendations from the review, as detailed in paragraph 6 of the report, and ask officers to develop an action plan so as to implement these as soon as reasonably practicable;

·  Option 2- to disagree with all or some of the recommendations.

On conclusion of the presentation, officers provided a further update on progress made since the review.

Members requested feedback from the Director on schemes being trialled to coat street surfaces with a substance to prevent chewing gum from sticking.¹

Members and officers thanked ENCAMS for the presentation.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the recommendations from the review, as detailed in paragraph 6 of the report, be approved.²

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To further improve service delivery of the Neighbourhood Pride Service.

This report reviews the background and seeks approval for the delivery plan for the 2008 Groves Area Recycling Pilot, which includes a set of mini-trials, each with public consultation and review, prior to assessing the best options to be used for the full rollout.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the mini-trial area in paragraph 5 of the report be agreed.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To ensure full support from the local area for successful mini-trials and full trials.

Members received a report which reviewed the background and sought approval for the delivery plan for the 2008 Groves Area Recycling Pilot, which included a set of mini-trials, each with public consultation and review, prior to assessing the best options to be used for the full rollout.

The report presented the following options for consideration:

·  Option 1 – To agree the mini-trial area as set out in paragraph 5 of the report;

·  Option 2 – To propose alternatives or additional areas within the Groves trial area to carry out the mini-trials;

·  Option 3 – Not to carry out mini-trials as outlined in the report, but to move directly into a full trial for the whole of the Groves area.

The report was accompanied by a presentation from the Acting Head of Waste Services.

Members thanked officers for their work developing the proposals for mini-trials.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the mini-trial area in paragraph 5 of the report be agreed.¹

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To ensure full support from the local area for successful mini-trials and full trials.

This report informs Members of the legislation regulating the sale of replica firearms, and specifically explains what controls exist to prevent these potentially dangerous items being supplied to children.  The report seeks Executive Member approval of an enforcement policy for the enforcement of the legislation.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option 1 be approved and the Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing Enforcement Policy be amended to include that formal enforcement action be considered in cases involving sales of realistic imitation firearms;

(ii)     That the government’s new legislation to bring the sale of replica guns under the jurisdiction of the Council’s Trading Standards function be welcomed, but it be agreed that the legislation should go further and give councils the power to officially test purchase for the sale of imitation firearms to those under 18;

(iii)    That the Director of Neighbourhood Services be asked to draft a letter to request the Secretary of State for an additional change to the legislation to give Local Authorities the power to test purchase without an offence being committed as is the case with the sale of alcohol, aerosols, cigarettes and knives, with the letter being signed by representatives of all the political parties on the Council and copies sent to all local MPs;

(iv)    That it also be requested that improvements be made at border control to prevent illegal guns entering the country.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To enable the Council’s Trading Standards Service to take enforcement action to prevent the sale of realistic imitation firearms in York.

Members received a report which informed them of the legislation regulating the sale of replica firearms, and specifically explained what controls existed to prevent these potentially dangerous items being supplied to children.  The report sought Executive Member approval of an enforcement policy for the enforcement of the legislation.

The report presented the following options for consideration:

·  Option 1 – To amend the Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing Enforcement Policy to include that formal enforcement action be considered in cases involving sales of realistic imitation firearms;

·  Option 2 – Not to amend the Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing Enforcement Policy.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option 1 be approved and the Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing Enforcement Policy be amended to include that formal enforcement action be considered in cases involving sales of realistic imitation firearms;¹

(ii)     That the government’s new legislation to bring the sale of replica guns under the jurisdiction of the Council’s Trading Standards function be welcomed, but it be agreed that the legislation should go further and give councils the power to officially test purchase for the sale of imitation firearms to those under 18, without the purchaser committing an offence;

(iii)    That the Director of Neighbourhood Services be asked to draft a letter to request the Secretary of State for an additional change to the legislation to give Local Authorities the power to test purchase without an offence being committed as is the case with the sale of alcohol, aerosols, cigarettes and knives, with the letter being signed by representatives of all the political parties on the Council and copies sent to all local MPs;²

(iv)    That it also be requested that improvements be made at border control to prevent illegal guns entering the country.³

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To enable the Council’s Trading Standards Service to take enforcement action to prevent the sale of realistic imitation firearms in York.

This report seeks the Executive Member’s approval for a set of service plans for 2008/9 for Neighbourhood Services.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option 1 be approved and the service plans be agreed.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                        To agree a clear direction for services in 2008/9.

Members received a report which sought approval for a set of service plans for 2008/9 for Neighbourhood Services.

The report presented the following options for consideration:

·  Option 1 – To agree the proposed service plans;

·  Option 2 – To agree the proposed service plans, with amendments.

Members thanked officers for their work producing the service plans.

The Labour Group reserved their position on the service plans, given that the budget position for 2008/9 was currently unknown.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option 1 be approved and the service plans be agreed.^1&2

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                        To agree a clear direction for services in 2008/9.

This report presents the 2008/09 budget proposals for Neighbourhood Services.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the report be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To begin consultation on the Neighbourhood Services budget for 2008/09.

Members received a report which presented the 2008/09 budget proposals for Neighbourhood Services.

The report included:

·  the revenue budget for 2007/08 (Annex 1) to show the existing budgets;

·  the budget adjusted and rolled forward from 2007/08 into 2008/09;

·  the provisional allocation of pay and price increases for the portfolio;

·  officer proposals for budget service pressure costs and savings options for the portfolio area (Annexes 2 and 3);

·  other revenue budget options for consultation (Annex 4);

·  the existing approved capital programme (Annex 5);

·  options for new capital schemes (Annex 6).

Members were asked for their comments or alternative suggestions on the proposals shown in Annexes 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Councillor Taylor commented that the closure of St George’s Car Park toilets should not be accepted as a budget saving.

The Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups reserved their positions on the budget proposals.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the report be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To begin consultation on the Neighbourhood Services budget for 2008/09.

This report advises Members of the proposed fees and charges for Neighbourhood Services for the financial year 2008/09 and the anticipated increase in income which they will generate.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the report be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To update the Executive Member on the proposed fees and charges for Neighbourhood Services for 2008/09.

Members received a report which advised them of the proposed fees and charges for Neighbourhood Services for the financial year 2008/09 and the anticipated increase in income which they would generate.

Paragraphs 4-13 of the report set out key elements of the fees and charges proposals for Members consideration.

Councillor Taylor commented that gambling fees should be set at the highest possible levels and that increased fees for the removal of bulky items of waste may result in increased flytipping.

The Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups reserved their positions on the fees and charges proposals.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the report be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To update the Executive Member on the proposed fees and charges for Neighbourhood Services for 2008/09.

To review the forward plan for the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services and Advisory Panel for the remainder of the 2007/08 municipal year and the beginning of the 2008/09 municipal year.

Members reviewed the latest version of the forward plan for the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services and Advisory Panel (EMAP) for the remainder of the 2007/08 municipal year and the beginning of the 2008/09 municipal year.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the latest version of the forward plan be noted. 

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To inform Members and update the Forward Plan.