Agenda and minutes

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 7 March 2012.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the meeting of 7 March 2012 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 Tuesday 27 March 2012 at 5.00pm.

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

This report provides an update on financial performance, service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environmental Services.

Members considered a report that provided an update on financial performance, service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environmental Services.  This item had been deferred from the previous meeting.

Officers went through the key issues.  Attention was drawn to the areas of overspend and the mitigating action that was being taken to bring the budget in on line.  Discussion took place regarding the following issues:

·        The shortfall in the parking services area and the reasons why income targets had not been met.  Officers agreed to provide more detailed information on income from parking.

·        The target for commercial waste had proved to be unrealistic and further consideration needed to be given to this issue, including the pricing structure that was in operation. 

·        Because of problems with the IT reporting system, the most recent data on missed bin collection had not been included in the report.  This information would be circulated to the committee with the next monitoring report.

·        Concerns were expressed regarding the impact that the proposed closure of Beckfield Lane would have on issues such as fly tipping.   Members suggested that consideration should be given to measures such as increasing the number of green waste collections or making a wagon available on a monthly basis.   The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhood Services outlined the reasons for the closure of Beckfield Lane, including the amount of investment that would be required at the site and the provision that was available elsewhere in the city.

Members were pleased to note that overall good progress was being made within the directorate and that 42% of actions had been completed.  Of the 17 reportable performance indicators, the majority were within, on or above the target.

Members paid tribute to the work that John Goodyear had carried out as Assistant Director – Communities and Neighbourhoods and expressed their appreciation of the support that he had given to them.  They requested that the Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods pass on their thanks to him.

RESOLVED:       That the financial and performance position of

                             the portfolio be noted.

REASON:           In accordance with budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.

In preparation for the scrutiny work-planning event that is to take place on 2 May 2012, the Committee is asked to give consideration to possible topics for scrutiny review in the next municipal year.

In preparation for the scrutiny work-planning event that was to take place on 2 May 2012, the Committee gave consideration to possible topics for scrutiny review in the next municipal year.

The following documents were tabled:

·        A paper outlining the following three topics:

(i)           CCTV – raised at the scrutiny meeting on 7 March 2012

(ii)          New 101 Police Non-Emergency Number – suggested by Cllr Hodgson

(iii)        Drug and Alcohol Related Anti-Social Behaviour

– arising from the previous suggested ASB topic

·        Information on scrutiny reviews that had recently been completed by other councils.

·        The committee’s work plan.

The Cabinet Member for Crime and Community Safety was invited to put forward any views he may have as to suggested topics.  He suggested that the committee may wish to carry out a review on aspects of CCTV, as had been proposed at a previous meeting. 

Councillor Fraser also stated that some Members had raised concerns with him regarding the new Police non-emergency number.  He suggested that the committee may wish to consider whether to carry out a review into this issue or may decide that this was not the right time to do so, as the new arrangements had not been in place for a sufficient period of time to become embedded.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhood Services stated that he would welcome the committee’s involvement in looking at commercial services within his portfolio.

Members agreed that the following suggestions merited further consideration as scrutiny topics:

·        CCTV

·        Anti-social behaviour (perhaps focussing on its links to alcohol and/or drugs)

·        Police non-emergency telephone number

·        Racially motivated abuse or the reporting of race crime

·        Commercial waste and/or other commercial services such as cleaning

·        Fear of crime

·        Parking services

Concerns were expressed regarding the new arrangements for neighbourhood working.  It was, however, agreed that it was not appropriate to carry out a review at this time.

RESOLVED:       That the Scrutiny Officer email Members with a

list of the suggested topics that had been put forward.

REASON:            In preparation for the scrutiny work planning event.