Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel – 21 December 2010

PRESENT: Councillor Davison in the chair.

Councillors Waltham (vice-chair), Ali, Barker, Clark, Ellerby and T Foster.

Councillor Poole attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

348 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.

349 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on30 November 2010, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chair.

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

351 (25) LOCAL ACTION TAKEN TO MANAGE FLOOD RISK IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – The chair welcomed Geoff Popple, Service Director Highways and Planning and Rod Chapman, the council’s Asset Team Manager to the meeting.Geoff and Rod attended the meeting to update members on the implementation of the recommendations contained within the action plan approved by Cabinet on 3 February 2010.

Resolved – (a) That the update be noted, (b) that the Service Director and all members of the Flood Forum be applauded for their continued commitment towards flood prevention work, and (c) that Mr Popple and Mr Chapman be thanked for attending and answering member’s questions.

352 (26) PRELIMINARY FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT – Further to minute 345, the chair invited the Service Director Highways and Planning to update members on the implications for overview and scrutiny of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment.

Members then engaged in a discussion with the Service Director.

Resolved – (a) That the update be noted, (b) that the Service Director Highways and Planning be thanked for the flood prevention work he had overseen, and (c) that Mr Popple be wished a long and healthy retirement.

353 (27) POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL – The Service Director Legal and Democratic informed the meeting that the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill was presented on first reading to parliament on 30 November 2010. It was then on the order paper for a second reading on 13 December 2010.This stage was the first opportunity for MPs to debate the general principles and themes of the Bill.

The Service Director provided an update on the content of the Bill and outlined its implications for the council and its partners.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

354 (28) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – DECEMBER 2010 TO MARCH 2011 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for December 2010 to March 2011.

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 December 2010 to March 2011 be noted.

355 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.

356 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC – Resolved – That the public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

357 SCRUTINY REVIEW – ‘NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE RESIDENTS PERCEPTION OF THE FEAR OF CRIME’ – The chair opened discussion on the draft report, inviting comments, changes or input from members.A debate on the content occurred and a number of minor changes were agreed.

Resolved – (a) That members and witnesses be thanked for their input and hard work, and (b) that the report be approved by the panel and submitted to the next meeting of the council for consideration and debate.