Places Scrutiny Panel – 8 January 2014

MINUTES

PRESENT:  Councillor Evison in the chair.
Councillors Davison (vice chair), England, Oldfield and T Foster.
Councillor Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

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

Member  Minute Nature of Interest
Councillor Davison

Councillor England

Councillor Evison

339

342

342

Family member employed by North Lincolnshire Council

Member of Humberside Police and Crime Panel

Member of Humberside Police and Crime Panel

No whip was declared.

336  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 16 December 2013, and the special meeting held on 20 December 2013, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chairman.

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

338  ADDED ITEM – The Chairman invited Councillor Davison to introduce her added item and explain the rationale behind the request.  Councillor Davison explained that there appeared to be a reluctance from officers of the council to yet again attend scrutiny panel meetings.  This was frustrating to members as it meant that they could not complete their duties in an expedient manner.
The Chairman invited the Chief Executive and Director of People to respond to the points raised by Councillor Davison.
Following the Chief Executive’s and Director of People comments, the Chairman invited panel members to discuss the issue of attendance at scrutiny panel meetings by council officers.
Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that the Chief Executive and Director of People be thanked for their attendance and contribution at the meeting.

339  CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The Chairman welcomed Councillor C Sherwood to the meeting, the council’s Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport and Leisure.  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 –

  • Re-location of Bottesford library,
  • Registration Service opening hours
  • Council’s response to the recent flooding incident/tidal surge
  • Assistance to those families affected by the Welfare Reform
  • Public order incidents at Central Library
  • Success of Discretionary Grants scheme
  • Quibell Park developments
  • Epworth leisure centre refurbishment
  • Improvements to Ancholme and Riddings leisure centres
  • Appointment of Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator
  • New appointment to Substance mis-use team
  • Success of Street Sport initiative.

Following the update, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted, and (b) that the Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport and Leisure be thanked for his attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions.

340  CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION – Further to Minutes 323 and 329, the Director of Policy and Resources updated members on the status of the review, including the confirmed list of stakeholders to be interviewed and the interviews still to be arranged.

The Chairman also invited those members’ who had attended stakeholder interviews to summarise the key issues which had been discussed.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that the Director of Policy and Resources provide a written summary of each interview, to be circulated to all members of the panel.

341  (14)  LGiU POLICY BRIEFING – IF ONLY SOMEONE HAD LISTENED – OCC INQUIRY INTO CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN GANGS AND GROUPS – The Director of Policy and Resources circulated an LGiU policy briefing which summarised the final report of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner two year inquiry into child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups.

Resolved – That the LGiU policy briefing be noted.

342  (15)  LGiU POLICY BRIEFING – POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONERS – ONE YEAR ON – The Director of Policy and Resources circulated an LGiU policy briefing which summarised the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner since the first elections took place on 15 November 2012.

Resolved – That the LGiU policy briefing be noted.