Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare:

·        Any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        Any prejudicial interests or

·        Any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of the business on the agenda.

Councillor Fraser declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 as a Governor of Knavesmire Primary School, Acting Chair of Micklegate Action Group and, in respect of staffing matters, Retired Members Section of Unite, TGWU/Acts Section and UNISON Retired Members Association.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 23 April 2013.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the meeting of 23 April 2013 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 at the meeting may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Tuesday 4 June 2013.

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

Introductory presentations will be given on suggested scrutiny topics for review in this municipal year:

(i)           Restorative Justice – to look at the work of the Youth Offending Team and Safer York Partnership to improve joint working and community payback.

(ii)          Tenancy Enforcement – to look at tenancy related issues affected by the relationship between mental health, and anti-social behaviour and other crime.

(iii)        CCTV – to understand any changes/developments in service provision as a result of the move to West Offices and the introduction of new technologies.

Introductory presentations were given on the following suggested scrutiny topics for review in this municipal year:

(i)           Restorative Justice

A presentation was given on the work of the Youth Offending Team and Safer York Partnership to improve joint working and community payback.  (A copy of the presentation is attached to the on-line agenda papers for this meeting).

Discussion took place around the form that community payback could take and of ways of measuring its effectiveness.  It was noted that the Hull Centre for Restorative Justice had carried out some cost benefit analysis which may be useful to the committee if it was agreed to carry out a review on this issue.

(ii)          Tenancy Enforcement

A presentation was given on tenancy related issues affected by the relationship between mental health and anti-social behaviour and other crime. (A copy of the presentation is attached to the on-line agenda papers for this meeting).

Discussion took place around the following issues:

·        The nuisance enforcement process.

·        The arrangements that were in place in respect of the private sector, including the work that took place with the Landlords Association.  Consideration was also being given to ways of generating income by offering the Council’s expertise to the private sector in areas such as mediation and legal support.

Members were informed that generally there was good co-operation between the partner agencies, although there were some issues in respect of specialised mental health accommodation.

(iii)        CCTV

A presentation was given on changes and developments in CCTV service provision as a result of the move to West Offices and the introduction of new technologies. (A copy of the presentation is attached to the on-line agenda papers for this meeting).

Discussion took place regarding the following issues:

·        The developments that were currently underway to fully utilise the facilities available by broadening the range of services offered.  A trial was currently taking place with schools regarding the management of CCTV at school sites.  Although the system was state of the art it was not yet being used to full effect.

·        The staffing establishment and the need to ensure that any expansion of the service was self-funded.

·        The possible implications for other CCTV providers should the Council expand its operations.

·        The need to ensure that traded services were fully costed. 

RESOLVED:       That the information provided be noted.

REASON:           To enable Members to make informed decisions as to future topics for scrutiny review. 

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

Consideration was given to the committee’s work plan.

Members also gave consideration to the arrangements for the proposed scrutiny review on A-Boards. It was noted that the review would include a consultation event.

RESOLVED:       (i)      That the date of the next meeting be

rearranged to Monday 22 July 2013 at 5.00pm.

(ii)      That, subject to the amendment above (i),

          the work plan be approved.

(iii)     That the membership of the A-Boards Task

Group be Councillor Douglas, Councillor Hodgson and either Councillor Orrell or Councillor Warters (subject to their approval).

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