Agenda and minutes

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

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

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2012.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the meeting of 17 July 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday 10 September 2012.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Councillor Jeffries had registered to speak at the meeting on the draft Hate Crime Strategy but was not present.

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on financial performance, service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environmental Services and Public Protection.

Members considered a report that provided an update on financial performance, service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environmental Services and Public Protection.

Members noted the action that was being taken to address the £1.2m overspend predicted for the portfolio.  Members questioned officers on the following issues:

·        The underachievement of income generation from the commercial waste service.  It was noted that although income targets were not being achieved, the service did generate a profit and there were other benefits to the city in terms of collection times.  The targets that had been set appeared to have been too high and reflected what could have been achieved some years ago.  Since that time there had been increased competition and the council’s share of the market had reduced.  A number of retailers now had national agreements in respect of waste collection.

·        The shortfall in income from Penalty Charge Notices.  Officers confirmed that a number of factors were being considered, including the impact of the pay by card initiative and issues in respect of productivity.

·        The lower than budgeted income levels at the public conveniences and the reasons why some of these facilities were staffed and others were not.  It was noted that a review was currently taking place regarding public conveniences.

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

REASON:           In accordance with budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.

To consider the draft Hate Crime Strategy and the Embracing Diversity Work Plan.

Members considered the draft Hate Crime Strategy and the Embracing Diversity Work Plan.

Members noted that although the number of reported hate crimes in York was low, they had a significant impact on the victims.  Consultation on the draft strategy had taken place with communities of interest and the Equality Advisory Group.  A detailed operational plan was to be drawn up which would set out individual outcomes and the associated resources.  Progress on the implementation of the plan would be reported to the Equality Advisory Group on an exceptions basis.

Members stressed the importance of ensuring that schools were involved in implementing the plan.  They also agreed on the need to ensure that effective arrangements were in place so that victims were not deterred from reporting such incidents.

Members expressed their support of the strategy and the work plan.

RESOLVED:       That the draft Hate Crime Strategy and the Embracing Diversity Work Plan be endorsed.

REASON:           To ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to tackle issues in respect of hate crime.

To receive a verbal update from the CCTV Task Group.

Councillor Steward gave a verbal update on the work of the CCTV Task Group.  He explained that the group had met with officers to find out more about the proposed changes to CCTV monitoring when the move took place to West Offices. 

The task group had noted:

·        The use of CCTV for traffic management.  It was noted that there were, however, other mechanisms in place for monitoring traffic flow including the use of sensors.

·        The retrospective use of CCTV – some of the coverage was recorded but not monitored.  The footage was retained for a month and the Police contacted the CCTV control room if they were seeking CCTV footage of an incident that had taken place.

·        Schools were able to use whichever CCTV provider met their needs.

·        Planned improvements to the system meant that there would be opportunities in the future to offer services to the business community.

Some Members suggested that, in view of the developments in technology, working practices in respect of CCTV should be reviewed to ensure that they were effective. This should include looking at how traffic management mechanisms were being used and consideration as to how the council worked with the Police and other partners to ensure that the service provided was appropriate and cost effective.

RESOLVED:       That once the move to West Offices has taken place, further consideration be given as to whether a review of issues in respect of CCTV should take place.

REASON:           To enable the committee to make an informed decision once the new arrangements had been implemented.

To receive a verbal update on ongoing work in respect of animal health.

Members received a verbal update on ongoing work in respect of animal health.

Officers explained that although it was intended that a draft policy on Horses on City of York Council Land would be presented at the meeting, unfortunately this had not proved possible.  Work was still ongoing to put together a number of strategies to address the issues that had been identified, including providing alternative grazing land, working with owners to reduce the number of horses and drafting a costed enforcement policy.  Officers had also looked at identifying best practice used by other authorities.  It was now intended that the policy would be presented to the Cabinet Member for consideration in November 2012.

Officers clarified that the policy would refer only to horses as arrangements were already in place to deal with dogs and other stray animals.  Members requested that the policy make reference to this.

Some concerns were expressed that, because the policy was not yet available, the committee would not have the opportunity to have an input prior to it being presented to the Cabinet Member for consideration.  Officers confirmed that they would ensure that committee members had the opportunity to do so.  

RESOLVED:       That the draft policy on Horses on City of York Council Land be circulated to Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee members prior to it being presented to the Cabinet Member¹.

REASON:           To enable the committee to have an input into

                             the policy.

Members are asked to consider the committee’s work plan.

Members gave consideration to the committee’s work plan.

Attention was drawn to an email that had been sent by the Chair seeking Members’ views as to whether it would be appropriate for the committee to consider issues in respect of emergency planning regarding surface flood water.  Officers updated Members on proposed changes to the legislation on flooding.  It was noted that a number of parish councils already had emergency plans in place and it was agreed that it would be useful if these could inform local plans.  Members agreed that it would be useful to receive a briefing on preparing communities for flooding resilience and the council’s duties.

Members agreed that the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services should be invited to attend the next meeting to provide an update on the priorities and challenges for his portfolio.

RESOLVED:       That the committee’s work plan be updated to reflect the following:

·        Following items to be included on the agenda for the next meeting:

-      Briefing on “Preparing Communities for Flooding Resilience and the Council’s duties”

-      Update from Cabinet Member for  Environmental Services

·        Item on CCTV Monitoring Group update report to be removed from agenda for meeting of 12 March 2013.

REASON:  To ensure that the committee has a planned programme of work in place.