Agenda and minutes

At this point, 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 any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in the business on the agenda.  The following personal interests were declared in agenda item 7 (Draft Final Report A Boards Scrutiny Review):

·        Councillor Fraser, as the Acting Chair of Micklegate Action Group

·        Councillor Waller, as Secretary of Acomb Alive

·        Councillor Douglas, as a puppy walker for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 5 November  2014.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2014 be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Tuesday 6 January 2015.

Members of the public may register to speak on:

·        An item on the agenda

·        An issue within the remit of the Committee

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

“Please note this meeting will 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 two registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Mr Martyn Weller spoke on behalf of the Federation for Small Businesses.  He stated that he was also Chair of a disability charity.  He drew attention to the importance of A-boards to small businesses.  He outlined the contribution that small businesses made to the vibrancy of the local economy and the fact that they were a major employer in the city.  Mr Weller stated that whilst it was acknowledged that some A-boards had been placed in an irresponsible way, no other Council had implemented a total ban on the use of A-boards.  Enforcement could also be costly.  He stated that small businesses needed to be able to provide information via the use of A-boards but that it was important to minimise the obstruction that they could cause.  He urged that Good Practice Guidelines be put in place and offered to help with the drawing up of such guidance.

Ms Diane Roworth spoke on behalf of York Blind and Partially Sighted Society.   She expressed concern that the society had not been acknowledged as a contributor to the report.  She also expressed concern that it had only received an invitation to attend the meeting at very short notice.  Ms Roworth commented on issues outlined in the report, including the problems caused by A-boards because of the obstruction they could cause and the fact that some councils took a zero tolerance approach on this issue.  She urged Members to support Option D in the report – a total ban on the use of A-boards.

Superintendant Cain will be in attendance to provide an update on the new North Yorkshire policing model.

Superintendant Cain from North Yorkshire Police had been invited to attend the meeting to provide an update on the new policing model. He gave details of the arrangements in place for the city including:

·        York had a Superintendant Area Commander supported by a Chief Inspector and a Detective Chief Inspector.  This arrangement gave greater flexibility, as supporting resources were now under the Superintendant Area Commander’s control. 

·        Investment had taken place in an investigation hub.

·        There had been an increase in the establishment in respect of police officers

·        There had been no change in PCSO numbers

·        A Multi-Agency Anti-Social Behaviour hub was now located in West Offices and was currently managing over 200 cases.  Reporting arrangements in respect of anti-social behaviour remained unchanged. 

·        There had been a restructuring of neighbourhood policing but dedicated PCSOs remained in place.

·        The city centre team were now based at Mill House.

Resolved:  That the update on the new North Yorkshire policing model be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that Members are kept updated on policing issues affecting the city.

This report from Safer York Partnership provides an update on performance for the first six months of 2014/15.

Members considered a report from Safer York Partnership which provided an update on performance for the first six months of 2014/15.

The following corrections to the report were noted:

·        paragraph 3.2 – level of NYP recorded Anti Social Behaviour Calls for service should read 5241

·        paragraph 5.2 – level of reported hate crime or incidents in 2014-15 should read 108 and hence the 50% referred to in this paragraph was also incorrect

Members were informed that total recorded crime in York for 2014/15 was predicted to be nearly 2% lower than 2013/14, continuing the trend over the previous three years. Details were given of some of the operations that were taking place, including Operation Erase, and of the work that was being carried out to improve river safety.

Concerns were expressed that there had not been a reduction in incidents of domestic violence.  Officers detailed the strategies that were in place, including the Perpetrator Programme.  Members expressed concern that male councillors only had been asked to sign a pledge not to commit, condone or ignore domestic violence. It was noted that this request had arisen following the previous Lord Mayor’s commitment to the White Ribbon Campaign.  This campaign was focussed on men working to end men’s violence against women.  Officers stated that the Council recognised that domestic violence was not always perpetrated by men and the work that it carried sought to tackle any form of domestic violence.  Members requested that the letter be reissued to all Members of Council¹. 

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that Members are kept updated on activity by the Safer York Partnership.

This report provides details of the 2014/15 forecast outturn position for both finance and performance for Environmental Services, Public Protection and Housing.

Members considered a report which provided details of the 2014/15 forecast outturn position for both finance and performance for Environmental Services, Public Protection and Housing.

Members noted the forecast overspend across Highways, Waste and Fleet and asked if there had been any improvement in the situation since the report was prepared.  Officers stated that the position in respect of the overspend remained the same.  An updated report would be presented to Cabinet in February 2015 and would then be presented to the committee.

Concerns were expressed that recycling had not been regularly collected over the previous month.  This had resulted in littering as bottle and paper banks became overfilled.  There were also concerns that unless collections took place regularly some residents may cease to recycle which would result in the council incurring additional landfill costs.  Concerns were also raised that some calendars detailing the collection arrangements had not been delivered.  Officers acknowledged that some problems had arisen in respect of the delivery of the calendars and these were being raised with the delivery company.  The vast majority of calendars had, however, been delivered.  Referring to recycling performance and capacity over the Christmas period, officers explained that there was an increase in the volume of both recycling and residual waste over this period and the Authority had concentrated on the collection of residual waste as recycling was generally able to be stored until collection.  It was acknowledged that problems could arise in respect of litter when a kerbside sort system was in operation, but resources were not currently available for a commingled operation.

Referring to the lower than budgeted income from commercial waste, officers stated that work was taking place to ensure that future forecasts were robust to address the issue of significant variations occurring.

Councillor Warters expressed his objection to the use of the word “success” in respect of the 20mph South Bank pilot project and stated that a more neutral word should have been used.  He also commented that the term “preferred bidder” in relation to the Community Stadium project,  should have made clear that this was the only bidder, although it was acknowledged that “preferred bidder” was a term used in procurement.

Referring to the reduction in the numbers on the council house waiting list, officers were asked to forward the data to those involved in the Local Plan.¹

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

Reason:     To update the scrutiny committee of the latest finance and performance position.

This report presents the findings from the A-Boards Task Group review together with draft recommendations for the Committee’s endorsement.

Members considered a report which presented the findings from the A-Boards Task Group review together with draft recommendations for the Committee’s endorsement.

In response to the issue raised under Public Participation, it was agreed that any further written comments from the York Blind and Partially Sighted Society would be submitted to the Cabinet Member for consideration. 

Referring to possible enforcement measures that could be put in place (para 2 of the report), clarification was sought as to whether PCSOs would have the capacity to carry out this role.  Officers explained that the enforcement arrangements contained within the report were only suggestions and would require more detailed consideration. 

Consideration was given to the following options:

Option A – Maintain the current arrangements

Option B – Introduce voluntary guidelines

Option C – Introduce a policy for the use of A-boards with or without a licensing scheme

Option D – Introduce a total ban

Option E – Introduce a combination of the above i.e.

(i)           The introduction of a policy allowing the use of A-boards under strict criteria

(ii)          The policy to include a list of streets where the use of A-boards is prohibited at all times due to the limited widths of footways

(iii)        That appropriate resources be identified to ensure the full and proper enforcement of the new policy.  This to include consideration of the potential for improved cross directorate/team working outlined in paragraph 44 of the report

Members suggested that, in order to enable the effectiveness of a policy to be monitored, the arrangements should be in place for a two year trial period, this would also ensure that other options such as a licensing system were kept open.

Resolved:  That the draft recommendations made by the Task Group, as detailed in paragraph 46 (i.e. Option E) of the report, be endorsed but that the arrangements be implemented initially for a trial period of two years.

Reason:     To conclude the work on this review in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols.

This report provides Members with a further update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the previously completed Taxi Licensing scrutiny review and asks Members to sign off any of the remaining recommendations which are now fully implemented.

Members considered a report which provided a further update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the previously completed Taxi Licensing scrutiny review and which asked Members to sign off any of the remaining recommendations which were now fully implemented.

Members noted that an Unmet Demand Survey had been carried out and that the findings had been presented to the Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee who had determined that no new hackney carriage vehicle licenses would be issued at this time.

Members were informed that a new Taxi Licensing Policy would be drafted over forthcoming months and would address some of the issues raised in the review.  The draft policy would go through a consultation process prior to its consideration by the Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee.

Members queried whether there had been any interest in the introduction of taxi buses for use in rural areas (recommendation xiii).  Officers stated that they were not aware of any providers putting forward schemes for consideration.  It was agreed that the Chair of the Economic and City Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee would raise this issue with the relevant Cabinet Member. 

Resolved:  (i)      That the report be noted.

(ii)      That the outstanding recommendations be reviewed once the new Taxi Licensing Policy is in place.

Reason:              To raise awareness of those recommendations which are still to be fully implemented.

Members are asked to give consideration to the committee’s work plan for 2014/15.

Consideration was given to the committee’s workplan for 2014-15.  Members were invited to put forward suggestions for inclusion on the plan.

Resolved:  That the workplan be approved subject to the following addition:

·        Update on flyposting and enforcement to be included on the agenda for the next meeting¹.

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