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.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2013.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the meeting of 5 June 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 Friday 19 July 2013.

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

The Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities will be in attendance to discuss her priorities and challenges for this municipal year.

The Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities was in attendance to discuss her priorities and challenges for the municipal year.  A copy of her report, outlining the topics that were discussed, is attached to the on-line agenda papers for this meeting.

Members questioned the Cabinet Member about her meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner.  She stated that the areas of discussion had included the Alcohol Strategy and domestic violence.  It was hoped that the Commissioner would allocate funding towards the implementation of the Alcohol Strategy.

Some Members expressed concern regarding the new arrangements for neighbourhood policing.  Whilst the work of the PCSOs was valued, concerns were expressed at the time they had to spend travelling to their allocated area and hence the resulting reduction in the time available to them to carry out work within the neighbourhood.  The Cabinet Member stated that she would be having regular meetings with the Police and would raise this matter.

Members requested an update on the situation in respect of the policy on Tethered Horses.  They were informed that the protocol was in place but there were still some practicalities to address in respect of its implementation, for example tendering was currently taking place in respect of the services of a horse bailiff.  An update would be presented to Members in the near future.

RESOLVED:       That the report of the Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities be noted.

REASON:           To ensure that Members are aware of her priorities and challenges for the forthcoming year.

This performance report from the Safer York Partnership provides an update on the Community Safety Plan 2011-14.

Members considered a report from the Safer York Partnership that provided an update on the Community Safety Plan 2011-14.

Members noted that total reported crime in York had dropped by 12% (1648 crimes) in 2012-13 compared to 2011-13, and apart from a small increase in 2010-11, this was the ninth year out of the last ten where crime had dropped.

Details were given of the work that was taking place to reduce the level of domestic violence.  Officers confirmed that there were still issues in respect of a reluctance by some victims to report incidents.  Members requested that the Domestic Violence Co-ordinator be invited to attend a future meeting to provide an update on the work that was being carried out.¹

Officers gave an update in respect of Retailers Against Crime in York (RACY).  Although the RACY Co-ordinator post had ceased, services were still being delivered and alternative models were under consideration.

Referring to an increase in the levels of fly-tipping, Members queried whether this was linked to the closure of the Beckfield Lane site.  Officers stated that no link had been established but more detailed information could be provided, including data on the number of prosecutions.²

Discussion took place as to the effectiveness of the Cold Calling Zone.  Officers stated that the arrangements were intended to act as a deterrent and there had been a number of prosecutions.  Members requested further information on this issue.³ 

RESOLVED:       That the Safer York Partnership Bi-Annual Performance Report be noted.

REASON:           To ensure that the Committee is kept informed of the performance of the Safer York Partnership.

This report provides an update on the financial performance outturn for 2012/13, service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environmental Services and Public Protection.

Members considered a report that provided an update on the financial performance outturn for 2012/13, service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environmental Services and Public Protection.  Officers drew attention to the main variations.

At the request of Members, officers explained the situation in respect of the Allerton Park Scheme, as outlined in the report. 

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

REASON:           To ensure that the Committee is kept informed on financial and performance issues.

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

A verbal update will also be given on the ongoing reviews.

Members gave consideration to the committee’s work plan and received a verbal update on the progress of ongoing reviews.

(i)           A-Boards Task Group

The A-Boards Task Group would be meeting in August.  The Chair stated that she had obtained information from other local authorities regarding their success in addressing issues in respect of A-Boards.

(ii)          Domestic Waste Recycling Task Group

Information had now been circulated on the control groups that had been established in order to assess the effectiveness of strategies that had been implemented.

(iii)        Improving the City’s Night-Time Economy

Members noted that the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee had requested that each scrutiny committee carry out a scrutiny review related to improving the city’s night-time economy.  The intention was that the recommendations from these reviews would be fed into a report that would be presented to Cabinet for consideration.   A paper was tabled which gave examples of key areas that each overview and scrutiny committee could review. (A copy of the paper is attached to the on-line agenda for this meeting).   Members agreed that it would be useful to have a presentation at their next meeting on the Alcohol, Violence and the Night Time Economy (AVANTE) in order to inform their decision-making as to a suitable topic for review.

RESOLVED:       That, subject to the inclusion of the agenda items detailed above and in agenda item 5 (minute 10 refers), the work plan be approved.

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