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.  Councillor Williams declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda items 5 and 6 (minutes 21 and 22 refer), as a member of the York and Selby Magistrates Bench.  Councillor Burton declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 7 (minute 23 refers) as he was a member of the Management Committee of the Friends of St Nicholas Fields.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings of the committee held on 27 June 2011 and 4 July 2011.    

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the meetings of the committee held on 27 June 2011 and 4 July 2011 be confirmed and signed 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 19 September 2011 at 5.00pm.

It was reported that there were no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

The purpose of this report is to provide the committee with an update on financial performance and progress against service plan improvement actions and performance measures.

Members received a report that provided an update on financial performance, progress against service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environment. 

Members noted that, of the eleven performance indicators that were reported on either monthly or quarterly, nine were on target and two were not. The two issues where performance had not been achieved related to missed bins being put right by the end of the next working day and municipal waste landfilled.  However performance for all eleven indicators was improving. 

As the relevant officer was unable to be present at the meeting, it was agreed that the answers to Members’ questions would be circulated via email following the meeting.  The following issues were raised:

·        Were residents notified of the change in collection times?

·        Is there any evidence that the roll-out of smaller bins is having an impact on recycling?

·        More detailed information was requested in respect of parking services and the reduction in the number of PCNs issues.

·        Referring to the table detailing variances in the budget, further information was requested regarding the reasons for the variations.

Referring to Members’ questions regarding delays in a number of reviews and the impact that this would have on planned savings, officers stated that the situation was being closely monitored and in the majority of cases where timescales had slipped, they were due to be back on target by October.  Full year savings, for example in respect of street cleaning and litter management, would be achieved next year.  It was noted that some of the reviews were ahead of schedule.

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

REASON:            In accordance with budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.

This report summarises the crime data within the York Safer Neighbourhood Team area.

Members received a report that summarised the crime data within the York Safer Neighbourhood Team area.

Discussion took place regarding the data comparing York’s performance to the most similar family groupings.  Officers explained how the most similar groups had been calculated by the Home Office. It was noted that the groupings did not take into account factors such as tourism or the night-time economy.  Members stated that, for these reasons, they welcomed the inclusion in the report of data comparing York’s performance to other similar cities in the UK.

Members asked about the impact of race days on levels of crime.  Officers confirmed that this information was available.  Although there had been an increase in violent crime on the day of the recent Saturday race meeting, this had been lower than in previous years.

Members asked whether arrangements had been made to make the new intake of university students aware of the issue of cycle theft.  Details were given of the work that would be taking place to raise awareness

RESOLVED:       That the report be noted.

REASON:            In accordance with the committee’s responsibilities for the functions conferred by sections 19 and 20 of the Police & Justice Act 2006, in relation to the scrutiny of community safety issues, the Police and the work of the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

This report details performance on the Community Safety Plan 2011-14.

Members received a report that detailed performance on the Community Safety Plan 2011-14.  Officers gave details of the key issues.

Members noted that, from April 2011, all new Police anti-social behaviour incidents had been categorised differently.  Details were given of the new classifications.

RESOLVED:       That the report be noted.

REASON:            In accordance with the committee’s responsibilities for the scrutiny of community safety issues, the Police and the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Members are asked to consider the committee’s work plan and the assessment forms for agreed review topics.

Members gave consideration to Scrutiny Topic Assessment Forms on the following issues:

·        Anti-social behaviour in Westfield and Rural West

·        Domestic waste collection and recycling

Members were updated on the discussion on these topics that had taken place at the recent scrutiny event.

Anti-social behaviour in Westfield and Rural West

Members commented on the differences in the characteristics of the two wards and of differing perceptions of anti-social behaviour. 

The Cabinet Member for Crime and Community Safety was asked whether the proposed topic was in line with his priorities.  He stated that any lessening of anti-social behaviour would be welcome. He did, however,  suggest that the views of the Youth Council be sought as part of the review to avoid it focussing entirely on negative aspects of young people’s behaviour.

Members agreed that the topic should be the committee’s main review for this municipal year. The remaining elements of the Topic Assessment Form were completed.

Domestic Waste and Recycling

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhood Services was asked whether the proposed scrutiny topic on domestic waste and recycling linked with her priorities for the year.  She stated that she supported the ambition of the review but suggested that the committee might wish to consider its approach to the topic.  Although there was a commitment to increase recycling, this had to be seen in the context that, nationally the authority was high performing in terms of the rates it achieved.  An exercise was currently taking place to consider ways of reducing barriers to recycling and this was due to be completed in October/November. 

The Cabinet Member suggested that the committee may wish to consider why, in spite of the level of recycling, there was still too much waste going to landfill.  Consideration could be given as to how the council could do more to promote a reduction in waste, for example through encouraging the reuse of items.  It was noted that a number of policies on waste collection were currently being reviewed. 

Members commented on inconsistencies in waste services across the city and on issues relating to non-domestic waste. 

Members agreed that further consideration should be given to the proposed topic at the meeting on 29 November 2011 and that a briefing paper should be prepared for consideration at the meeting. 

Amendments to the Work Plan

It was noted that the report on “Restructure of CANS and Roles Supporting SYP and proposals for restructure of Community Safety in North Yorkshire Police”, which was to have been considered at this meeting, had been deferred as the information was not yet available.  It was agreed that this item should be considered at  the meeting on 10 October 2011.

RESOLVED:       (i)      That a task group be established to carry

out a review on “Anti-social behaviour in Westfield and Rural West”

(ii)      That the members of the task group be Councillor King, Councillor Healey, Councillor Burton and Councillor Orrell.

(iii)     That a review into domestic waste collection and recycling be considered in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.