Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, 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.

Cllr Cullwick declared a non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 6 as he currently manages a number of properties including HMO’s, however none of these properties will currently be affected by new legislation.

Cllr Richardson added a standing declaration of interest in that he is currently receiving treatment from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS as well as York Pain Clinic, that had already been declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2018.

Members requested that the following amendment be made to minute 26 (Update on the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme).

a)    Amend line to read as follows:

-       “Councillors expressed their desire for best practice, regarding co-production and information sharing with Councillors and residents, to be shared with other departments in the Council”

Members also highlighted that the Standing declarations of interest for this committee should be updated in line with current membership.

Resolved:      That subject to the amendment to minute 26 (Update on the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme), the minutes of the Health, Housing and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee held on 11 September 2018 be approved 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 5:00 pm on Monday 15 October 2018.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including 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/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

It was reported that there were no registrations to speak under the Council’s public participation scheme.

This report updates the committee on the work of the Safer York Partnership and its progress against the aims and objectives of the Community Safety Strategy.

Jane Mowat, Head of Community Safety CYC and Lindsey Robson, York and Selby Commander, North Yorkshire Police were in attendance to update the committee on the co-ordinated work of the Community Safety team and the Police.

Officers responded to a question from members on an increase in numbers of cases falling under the ‘violence against a person’ statistic. It was highlighted that there had been a change in the way the statistics were being recorded with harassment and stalking reports now being considered under this category.

It was also highlighted to members that the majority of the increase in numbers of domestic abuse reports could be attributed to more confidence in the police force and an increased willingness within the community to report incidents. Officers also stated the increased success and support of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences have affected the number of reports and that this should also be seen as a positive.

Under further questioning from members regarding Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) reporting, officers reported that whilst the police will always respond to a ‘threat to life’, other reports must then be prioritised. Officers pointed out that their Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers, BID Rangers and Police Officers were using the joint hub at the West Offices to ensure a multi-agency approach was being used to tackle issues such as ASB and that there had been an 80% reduction in the number of ASB cases over the last three years.

Officers also informed members of the work being done to:

-       Reduce the drug paraphernalia being found by residents and businesses in the city

-       Publicise a new ‘text to give’ campaign

-       Enforce penalties against magazine sellers using inappropriate or aggressive behaviour

-       Review the way in which the police and Council share information and the effect that GDPR has had

Officers explained their plan towards the future of portable CCTV cameras used to enforce on fly-tipping cases, saying that they would react to hotspots and deploy resources in areas of the city in which it was most in need.

During a discussion on administrative changes to the Channel  and Prevent referral systems, officers pointed out that there had been a pilot associated with Operation Dovetail, to test the feasibility of Local Authorities organising the administration associated with these systems rather than the police. This will most likely come into effect in York at the end of 2019 or early 2020.

During the discussions, there was a recurring theme regarding how to improve the public perception of Anti-Social Behaviour in the city. With reports of the situation improving in York, members and officers agreed that there was an opportunity to join up communications and ensure that consistent messages were being sent to the public.

Officers agreed to update members via email on:

-       The success of the North Yorkshire Police action on cyclists not using appropriate lights

-       The number of needle bins that have been distributed; and

-       Information on the actions relating to inconsiderate parking around schools  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

The committee will receive a verbal update from Lindsey Robson, York & Selby Commander, North Yorkshire Police, on Community Policing as requested by members.

The discussion of this item took place under Agenda Item 4 (Safer York Partnership Bi-Annual Report) with the Head of Community Safety and York and Selby Commander, North Yorkshire Police. Please see Minute 33 for the detail of the discussion.

Resolved:      Members are asked to note the update on community policing

Reason:         To ensure the committee are kept up to date on the joint working between the North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council.

This report will update the committee on the approach being taken to implement  the mandatory extension of  licensing to smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in York.

Officers were present to update members on the implementation of the new HMO licensing legislation that came into effect in October 2018.

The implementation phase has included:

-       The introduction of a web-based application process

-       Ensuring that the teams had enough resources to deal with increased applications (around 700) and to carry out site visits

-       A communication strategy around the new legislation

Officers informed members that around 60-70% of applications were now being received online.

Under questioning from members, officers highlighted the potential issues with the continued implementation of this policy. These included:

-       Ensuring the quality of paperwork received in applications including gas and electrical safety certificates and working with landlords on code of practice.

-       The accuracy of room sizes being declared by landlords; officers also highlighted that room sizes on the verge of not adhering to the requirements would be more likely to trigger an early inspection.

Officers stated that the rough estimate on the amount of rooms to be lost by the Council City, as a result of the new minimum requirements, would be 70 out of the 495 and a total of 400-500 rooms by 2021.*

In order for the council to implement this licensing to all HMO’s, a need will have to be evidenced. Officers explained that this first three year period will be used to gather this evidence, to strengthen the argument for further extension of licensing.

Officers also explained to members that a number of databases are used to check the accuracy of self certification forms of applying Landlords.

Resolved:      Members are asked to note the contents of this report and agree to support the approach outlined in the implementation policy

Reason:         So that the Council can ensure that we are meeting our statutory duties.

*As amended at the meeting of the Health, Housing and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee on 14 November 2018.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s work plan for the municipal year.

A feasibility study has been requested on the topic of Tenant Engagement, for a potential joint review by the Health Housing and Adult Social Care and Children, Education and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committees. An update will be brought to the meeting on the 14November 2018.

A feasibility study has also been requested on the topic of Elective Surgery Criteria and this will be brought to the meeting of the 12 December 2018.

Any other business which the Chair considers urgent.

No urgent business was declared.