northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT:  Councillor T Foster in the chair.

Councillors Armitage, Clark, Collinson, England, I Jawaid MBE and Ogg.

Councillors Poole, Waltham, Wells and Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

47  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following members declared personal interests –

No whip was declared.

48  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 3 October, and the special meeting held on 20 October 2011, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chairman.

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

50  (12)  ADDED ITEM – LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – The Chairman welcomed Neil Laminman, Director of Corporate and Community Services, Mel Holmes, Head of Democratic Services and Councillor Mrs Redfern, the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council to the meeting.  In accordance with the council’s constitution, Mr Laminman, Mr Holmes and Councillor Mrs Redfern were in attendance to discuss the added item requested by Councillor Davison on ‘the Leader of the Council’s Forward Plan’.

The Chairman introduced the item and asked the scrutiny panel if they wished the Director of Corporate and Community Services to summarise his briefing paper.  The members unanimously agreed this.

Following the summary of the briefing paper, the Chairman invited scrutiny panel members to ask questions of the Director and Leader of the Council.

The Director, Head of Democratic Services and Councillor Mrs Redfern responded to the questions accordingly.

Following conclusion of the questions and discussion on the added item, it was –

Resolved – That the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Director of Corporate and Community Services and Head of Democratic Services be thanked for their attendance and for answering member’s questions.

CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The Chairman welcomed Councillor C Sherwood, Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services and Neil Laminman, the council’s Director of Corporate and Community Services to the meeting.  Councillor Sherwood had been invited to the panel meeting to update members on any key decisions, important business or key developments which had occurred during the last quarter.  Namely –

• The re-location of the library and local link to the Angel in Brigg
• The submission of a bid to the Heritage Fund
• The progress and success of the new Winterton library
• The receipt and deployment of a new mobile library
• The review of library opening hours
• A temporary closure of Scunthorpe Central Library to allow for the demolition of the Carlton Street multi-storey car park
• The re-location of the Registration Service in January 2012
• The re-location of the customer contact centre
• The implementation of burglary deterrent initiatives
• The launch of the 2012 Joint Strategic Intelligence Assessment
• Substance mis-use performance indicators

Following the update, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services.

51  Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted; (b) that the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services and Director of Corporate and Community Services be thanked for their attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions, and (c) that the Assistant Director Community Safety be invited to a future meeting to update members on the progress being made in improving the substance mis-use performance indicators.

The Chairman then welcomed Councillor N Sherwood, the council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Neighbourhood Services to the meeting.

Councillor Sherwood had been invited to the panel meeting to update members on any key decisions, important business or key developments which had occurred during the last quarter.  Namely – 

• The progress on the speed limit review
• Appointment of snow wardens
• Local communities managing impact of adverse weather conditions
• Carlton Street multi-storey car park

Following the update, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Highways and Neighbourhood Services.

52  Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted, and (b) that the council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Neighbourhood Services be thanked for his attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions.

The Director of Corporate and Community Services informed members that following the panel’s discussion at its last meeting with the Cabinet Member for Asset and Estate Management and Sport, Leisure and Culture and Director of Infrastructure Services, the Director had subsequently supplied the requested information on the Baths Hall.

53  Resolved – That the information be circulated electronically to all members of the panel.

54  (13)  CO-ORDINATION OF THE NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK – The Director of Corporate and Community Services circulated a draft questionnaire to be distributed to all Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators as part of the panel’s forthcoming review, for member comments.

Resolved – That consideration of the questionnaire be deferred to the next meeting of the panel.

55  (14)  OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 – The Director of Corporate and Community Services submitted the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2010/11 for consideration and endorsement.

An oral overview of the report was provided.  Members were advised how the report outlined the developments within Overview and Scrutiny in 2010/2011, the effective working relationships that had been developed with external partners, a summary of the work carried out by each of the five panels in the last council year and the future challenges faced.

Resolved – (a) That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2010-2011 be received, and (b) that the annual report be published and circulated to appropriate partners and organisations.

56  POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL – The Director of Corporate and Community Services updated members on the developments in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

57  DEVELOPMENTS LOCALLY – UPDATE – The Director of Corporate and Community Services updated members on some key developments locally, including the introduction of the non-emergency 101 number and Humberside Police Authority ‘Big Conversation’ consultation on policing priorities.

Resolved – That members complete the Humberside Police Authority ‘Big Conversation’ consultation on policing priorities at its next meeting.