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 of the Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 11 March 2014.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of 11 March 2014 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 5:00 pm on Thursday 17 April 2014.

Members of the public may speak on:

·        An item on the agenda

·        An issue within the remit of the Committee

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

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

This report, which was deferred from the meeting on 11 March 2014, provides an update on financial performance, service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environmental Services and Public Protection.

Members gave consideration to a report which provided an update on financial performance, service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environmental Services and Public Protection.  This item had been deferred from the previous meeting.

Members’ attention was drawn to the main variations by service plan, as detailed in the report.  Officers were questioned about the areas in which there was an overspend and the action that was being taken to address this situation. 

Discussion took place regarding the forecast overspend within Parking Services, which was partly due to a shortfall of income from Penalty Charge Notices.   It was noted that the income target in this area had been increased but there were also benefits to the city when parking offences were not being committed. 

Referring to the shortfall in Commercial Waste, Members asked if consideration was being given as to ways in which the charges for the service could be made more competitive.  Officers stated that this was being considered although no changes had currently been implemented.  Members agreed that Commercial Waste may be an issue on which they would wish to carry out a scrutiny review.

Members requested further information on the following issues:

·        A break down of the income received from Penalty Charge Notices and the increase that was set in respect of income generation

·        Information in respect of recycling values¹

Resolved:  That the financial and performance information provided in the report be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that the Committee is kept updated on financial and performance issues.

Members are asked to consider possible topics for scrutiny review in the coming year.

Members gave consideration to the draft work plan for 2014/15, including possible topics for scrutiny review in the coming year. 

The following suggestions were put forward:

·        Commercial waste

·        Update report on changes regarding the Probation Service

·        River safety (the committee would not, however, wish to overlap with the work that AVANTI were carrying out in respect of this issue)

·        Update report on the work of the horse bailiff

·        Overview report on flood defences

·        The Anti-Social Behaviour Hub

·        Council housing maintenance (including the upgrading and refurbishment programme)

Resolved:  That the suggestions put forward be taken into account in the work plan and at the scrutiny work planning event as appropriate.

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

Members are asked to note the Committee’s work plan.  A verbal update will also be given on ongoing reviews.

Members noted the Committee’s work plan for 2013/14. 

A verbal update was given on the Domestic Waste Recycling Scrutiny Review.

Resolved:  (i)      That the work plan for 2013/14 be noted.

(ii)      That the verbal update on the Domestic Waste Recycling Scrutiny Review be noted.

Reasons:   (i)      To ensure that the committee has a planned

                             programme of work in place.

                   (ii)      To enable the committee to monitor progress on

                             the work of the task group.