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.

At this point in the meeting, Members were 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 the agenda. None were declared.

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 Friday 21 June 2019.

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 had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report highlights the structure for the Council’s provision of the scrutiny function and the resources available to support it. It also details the current terms of reference for the individual Policy & Scrutiny Committees.

The Head of Democratic and Civic Services was in attendance to highlight the structure of the Council’s scrutiny provision and answer any questions from the committee.

Members noted their thanks for the report and the Chair highlighted his own hopes that this refresh to Scrutiny arrangements would lead to an effective input into policy development as well as scrutiny.

This cover report introduces Members of the new Housing and Community Safety Policy and Scrutiny Committee to the service areas relating to Housing and Community Safety within the broader CYC Health, Housing and Adult Social Care Directorate.

The Assistant Director of Housing and Community Safety was in attendance to give an introduction into areas that fall under this committee’s area of responsibility. It was noted that an updated version of the report had been circulated to Members (and uploaded to the website under the agenda item)

The Assistant Director gave an introduction to the service by describing that it was an exciting time for Housing and Community Safety with significant development of new housing and a major ICT modernisation programme. The officer also noted that Housing and Community Safety were not under the same pressure as other Council areas due the different way in which this area is funded, primarily through the Housing Revenue Account.

Building Services

The Assistant Director described the two varying roles of the work of Building Services, one being a reactive service and the other focussed on planned works and modernisation. Particular highlights of the next 12 months included the Tenants Choice Modernisation Programme, a more permanent solution to deal with properties with standing water and the replacement of heating systems. It was also noted that the Council have requested a stock condition survey on Council properties for the first time since 2002. This was expected to provide some new challenges to the service.

It was suggested that a potential Scrutiny topic in this area could look into customer service and repairs.

Community Safety

The Officer outlined some of the key work in this area including keeping the City Centre Safe, Counter Terrorism, Substance Misuse and Serious Organised Crime.

The officer also noted the emerging issues of County Lines and Modern Slavery and suggested that these were also potential areas for Scrutiny to look into.

Members mentioned that it would be interesting and useful to have a briefing / meeting with the Community Safety Hub to better understand their work. Officers would look into the feasibility of this and organise with Members.

Older Persons Accommodation Programme

The Assistant Director stated that this programme was designed to address the increased need for care home places within the City. It was noted that there were a significant number of improvements, new properties and refurbishments including at Marjorie Waite Court, Lincoln Court, Burnholme Site, Lowfields Site and Haxby Hall currently underway or planned.

The Officer suggested that a good topic for Scrutiny in this area could be the exploration into what the City’s needs are and suggested that the officer in charge of that piece of work attend the next meeting of the committee.

Housing Delivery

The Assistant Director gave an overview of the significant house building programme being embarked on over the next 5 years with 8 sites that the Council owns being developed. This will involve the creation of over 650 new homes and investment of around £150 million.

It was suggested by the Assistant Director that the officer responsible for this area attend and present the draft ‘Design Guide’ that was being developed, as this would be going to the Executive in September.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider the draft work plan for 2019/20.

The following were agreed as additions to the Work Plan for 2019.

July

-      Attendance of Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety

-      The development of the new ‘Design Brief’

-       Older Persons Accommodation Programme

September

-      Housing Revenue Account Business Plan

October

-      Round table discussion with Safer York Partnership and external partners regarding County Lines and Modern Slavery.

January

Review of Extension of HMO Licensing