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 29 June 2010.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 29 June 2010 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 20 September 2010 at 5.00 pm.

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

This report presents an overview of performance at Quarter 1 2010/11 for Environmental Services, Regulatory Services and Community Safety managed within the Communities and Neighbourhoods Directorate.

Members received a report that presented an overview of performance at Quarter 1 2010/11 for Environmental Services, Regulatory Services and Community Safety managed within the Communities and Neighbourhoods Directorate.

Members agreed that, to avoid a duplication of work with other committees, it would be useful for future monitoring reports to focus on significant variations from target only¹.

Officers explained that the first review indicated a forecast overspend of £284k.  The main areas causing this overspend were a projected shortfall in income from Commercial Waste activities and an overspend on staffing within parking services.  Details were given of the work that was ongoing to address these issues; including vacancy management measures and a continued freeze on non-essential spend.   It was anticipated that outturn would be within budget by the end of the financial year.

It was noted that, although there was a shortfall in income from Commercial Waste activities, it continued to be profitable.  Details were given of some of the challenges faced by the service, including competition from other providers.  Members were informed that the service had been identified as a More for York project. 

Members were updated on performance against Corporate Strategy actions, LAA indicators and National Performance Indicators, as outlined in the report.  It was noted that there remained issues in respect of cleanliness in the city centre and progress was not on target.  The Committee would be kept updated on this issue.

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

REASON:      In accordance with budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.

This report, from the Safer York Partnership, presents information on performance on the Community Safety Plan.

Members received a report from the Safer Partnership Board that detailed performance on the Community Safety Plan.  Officers went through the key issues.

It was noted that the problems in respect of cycle theft were ongoing.  Details were given of the work that was taking place to address this issue, including Operation Spoke, working with the higher education establishments, the use of tracker bikes and consulting with other cycling cities to identify effective strategies.

Members were pleased to note the success of Operation STYLE and the impact that this had had on reducing violent crime.

RESOLVED:            That the report be noted.

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

Following a request made by this committee in January 2010, this report presents an Executive report on the CCTV system operating in the city.  Based on the information provided, Members are asked to consider whether they wish to carry out a scrutiny review of CCTV in York.

Following a request made by the committee in January 2010, Members considered a report that had been presented to the Executive on the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system operating in the city, which outlined protocols and opportunities for expanding the system.  Based on the information provided, Members were asked to consider whether they wished to carry out a scrutiny review of CCTV in York.

Written comments from Councillor Vassie, who was in support of a review being carried out, were tabled.

Members noted the proposal being developed by the North Yorkshire Police Authority to undertake a review of the costs and effectiveness of CCTV provision across the North Yorkshire police force area. 

Members commented on the benefits that CCTV provided to the city as a whole, as well as to specific wards. 

RESOLVED:(i)         That the information contained within the report and its

                                    annexes be noted.

(ii)That a scrutiny review of “The Effectiveness of CCTV in York” not proceed at this time.

(iii)That an update report on the outcome of the review by the North Yorkshire Police Authority be presented to the committee once that review had been completed.

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

This report explains the relationship between the Capable Guardian Scheme and the Area Based Working Pilot.

Members received a report that explained the relationship between the Capable Guardian Scheme and the Area Based Working Pilot.  Officers gave details of the similarities and differences between these two initiatives, as outlined in the written report.  

Members commented on the overlap between the Area Based Working Pilot and the work that was already taking place at a ward level and expressed some reservations as to whether this would lead to an increase in bureaucracy.  It was agreed that resource availability and the support of the Police were key factors in the success of this initiative.  Some Members expressed concern at the Police’s availability to attend meetings, including ward meetings.   

Officers stated that the Area Based Working Pilot was in its very early development and that further information could be provided to the Committee as the scheme developed.

RESOLVED:            (i)            That the report be noted.

(ii)That an update on the Area Based Working Pilot be presented to the Committee at a future meeting.

REASON:      To ensure that the committee is informed of the Capable Guardian Scheme and the Area Based Working Pilot.

This report presents information on a proposed scrutiny review of the council’s current Taxi Licensing Policy, and asks Members to decide whether or not to proceed with the review.

Members received a report that presented information on a proposed scrutiny review of the council’s current Taxi Licensing Policy and asked Members to decide whether or not to proceed with the review.

Councillor Gillies explained that he had registered the topic as Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, as the committee agreed that it would be useful for a review to take place to ensure that the council had a robust Taxi Licensing Policy.   Officers stated that they supported the proposal to carry out a review.  Taxis played an important role in the city and the council had a duty to make sure that the service provided was of a high standard.  A robust Taxi Licensing Policy would be in the best interests of taxi users and would also provide clarity for taxi drivers.

Consideration was given to draft remit for the review, as detailed at Annex B to the report.  Members were asked to email the Scrutiny Officer following the meeting with any proposed amendments to the draft remit.

RESOLVED:            (i)            That a task group be set up to carry out a review of the

                                    council’s Taxi Licensing Policy.

(ii)That the task group’s recommendations be reported back to the committee for their consideration.

(iii)That the task group comprise of a maximum of three members and should not include Members who serve on the Licensing and Regulatory Committee.

(iv)That the membership of the task group be confirmed following the meeting.

(v)That the remit for the review be as detailed in Annex B to the report but would take into account any comments received from Members following the meeting.

(vi)That the task group agree a workplan for the review, with an expectation that the review be completed within a four-month timescale.

REASON:      To ensure compliance with scrutiny procedures, protocols and workplans.

Members are asked to consider the committee’s workplan.

Consideration was given to the committee’s workplan. 

It was noted that, depending on the progress made by the Taxi Licensing Policy Task Group, it may be necessary to convene an additional meeting to consider their final recommendations. 

RESOLVED:That the workplan be updated to include:

·      An interim report from the Taxi Licensing Policy Task Group to be presented at the meeting on 5 January 2011.

·      An update report on the Area Based Working Pilot for presentation at a future meeting (date to be confirmed).

REASON:            To progress the work of the committee.