northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT: Councillor Davison in the Chair.

Councillors Waltham (vice-chairman), Armitage, Clark, Ellerby, T Foster and Smith

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

233 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared.

234 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 19 January 2010, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chair.

235 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received.

236 (21) REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE SAFER AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES SCRUTINY PANEL’S REPORT IN TO ‘DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – SERVICE PROVISION AND AREAS OF VULNERABILITY’ (HOLDING THE EXECUTIVE TO ACCOUNT) – Further to Minute 127, the Chair welcomed Neil Laminman, Service Director Community Planning and Resources, Bruno Watson, Deputy Head of Safer Neighbourhoods (Crime Reduction) and Debbie Winning, Domestic Violence Strategy Manager to the meeting to update members on the progress being made by the council and its partners in implementing the panels 51 recommendations arising from its review into ‘domestic violence – service provision and areas of vulnerability’

Members were informed that of the 51 recommendations, 23 had been implemented, 18 were ongoing and two had not been implemented. A further eight recommendations were awaiting commentary from partners.

Members were guided through each recommendation and a discussion ensued on all the outstanding actions.

Particular attention was given to the two recommendations which had not been implemented, namely recommendations 21 and 25. However, following a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that recommendation 21 be reclassified as ‘ongoing’ as the Safer Neighbourhoods Partnership believed that the current budget provision for target hardening was more than adequate.

Failure to implement recommendation 25, however, caused the scrutiny panel a great deal of concern. This recommendation referred to the availability of eight dispersed properties for use by victims of domestic violence. A discussion then ensued on how to drive this recommendation forward.

Resolved – (a) That the Service Director Community Planning and Resources, Deputy Head of Safer Neighbourhoods (Crime Reduction) and Domestic Violence Strategy Manager be thanked for their attendance and for answering members questions; (b) that the action plan be amended to incorporate comments made at the meeting; (c) that the scrutiny panel conduct further enquiries into recommendation 25, and (d) that the action plan be considered by Cabinet at a future meeting.

237 (22) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – FEBRUARY TO MAY 2010 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for February to May 2010.

The plan contained details of all matters and issues likely to be the subject of key decisions for a period of the next four months, updated on a monthly basis. Members discussed various items on the Forward Plan.

Resolved – That the Leader of the Council’s Forward Plan for February to May 2010 be noted.

238 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for discussion at this meeting.