northlincs.gov.uk

Places Scrutiny Panel – 12 June 2013

MINUTES

PRESENT:  Councillor Evison in the chair.

Councillors Davison (Vice-Chair), T Foster, Oldfield and Ogg.

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

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

272  DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following member declared an interest –

No whip was declared.

273  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 22 May 2013, and the special meeting held on 16 May 2013, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chairman.

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

275  CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The Chairman welcomed Councillor N Sherwood to the meeting, the council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Neighbourhoods.  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 of the annual Winter Maintenance Review.
• The relocation to Billet Lane, Scunthorpe of the council’s Highways department.
• The progress of the tarring and chippings scheme.
• An update on procurement activities including the Highways Alliance.
• An update on pothole maintenance.

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

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

276  PLACES DIRECTORATE – The Chairman welcomed the council’s Director of Places, Assistant Director Technical and Environment Services, Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration and Assistant Director Customer Services to the meeting, namely Peter Williams, Trevor Laming, Marcus Walker and Helen Rowe respectively.  The Director and Assistant Directors gave an oversight of their service areas, paying particular attention to the future challenges and policy developments in the service.  Following the presentation, the Chairman invited members to question the council’s Director of Places, Assistant Director Technical and Environment Services, Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration and Assistant Director Customer Services.

Resolved – (a) That the Director of Places, Assistant Director Technical and Environment Services, Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration and Assistant Director Customer Services be thanked for their attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions, and (b) that the Assistant Director Community Services be invited to a future meeting of the panel.

277  (5)  ADDED ITEM – COMMUNITY GRANT FUND APPLICATIONS – The Chairman invited Councillor Davison to introduce and explain her request for this added item.  Councillor Davison sought clarification on matters relating to the administration of the Community Grant Fund, with particular reference to the eligibility criteria, maximum grant payable, grants successfully awarded and grants rejected and the reasons these were refused.

The Chairman invited the Director of Places and Assistant Director Customer Services to respond to the points raised by Councillor Davison.  In addition, the Chairman invited the People Cabinet Member to comment on the points made as one of the decision makers for awarding the grant.

Following the Director and Cabinet Members comments, the Chairman invited panel members to discuss the issue of community grant fund applications.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that the Cabinet Member and council officers be thanked for their attendance and contribution at the meeting.

278  (6)  ADDED ITEM – FUTURE OF AREA ACTION TEAMS – The Chairman invited Councillor Davison to introduce and explain her request for this added item.  Councillor Davison sought clarification as to the future of the Area Action Teams within the Safer Neighbourhoods Partnership.  As a Chair of a Neighbourhood Action Team, Councillor Davison had become aware of proposals to change the group structure of the Safer Neighbourhoods Partnership by replacing the five Area Action Teams with a single Operations Group.  Councillor Davison also suggested that no consultation with Neighbourhood Action Teams Chair’s or Area Action Team members had been sought on the issue.

The Chairman invited the Director of Places and Assistant Director Technical and Environmental Services to respond to the points raised by Councillor Davison.

Following the Directors comments, the Chairman invited panel members to discuss the future of the Area Action Teams.

Resolved – (a) That following the conclusion of the Director’s consultation on the future of the five Area Action Teams, the findings be reported to this scrutiny panel, and (b) that the council officers be thanked for their attendance and contribution at the meeting.

279  CONSIDERATION OF WORK PROGRAMME Members discussed their future work programme and priorities for the 2013/14 municipal year.

Resolved – That a detailed list be prepared by the Director of Policy and Resources for consideration at the next meeting.

280  (7)  ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, CRIME AND POLICING BILL 2013 – The Director of Policy and Resources circulated a Local Government Information Unit policy briefing on the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill which was now before the House of Commons.  The Bill introduced a suite of new powers, which rationalised and extended local authorities’ capacity to tackle anti-social behaviour.  It also gave victims and local people a greater say in the approaches to be taken locally.

Resolved – That the Local Government Information Unit policy briefing on the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill be noted.