Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest to report.

There were no questions from members of the public or the press.

Minute No. 41 of the meeting of this Scrutiny Panel held on 29^th October, 2009.

Richard Jackson, Streetpride Area Manager reported verbally on how using the length of highway to determine Area Assembly devolved budgets was operated

Resolved:- That the report be received.

Consideration was given to a report introduced by Steve Parry, Neighbourhood Crime & Justice Manager, which stated that Rotherham was one of 60 areas across the country that was selected by the Home Office to become a Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Pioneer Area, based on a variety of data including, deprivation, population size, crime information and its determination to work with local communities to address local concerns about crime, anti-social behaviour and justice.

The Casey Review (Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime) examined how to better engage communities in the fight against crime and raise public confidence in the Criminal Justice System. 

Following on from Flanagan review (The Review of Policing – Final Report, Sir Ronnie Flanagan) and its recommendation on the integration of neighbourhood management and neighbourhood policing, the Home Office was building upon the momentum by setting out priorities for work in Pioneer Areas, one of which was ‘One dialogue with the public on crime’, the main driver being the introduction of Partners & Communities Together (PACT) meetings in every Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) Area.

In February 2009, the Area Assembly Chairs supported the proposal for PACT meetings in Rotherham to be accommodated within our existing Area Assembly meetings and the PACT process was currently well established within that overall structure across the seven Area Assembly/SNT areas.

The report and supporting presentation was in response to an earlier requirement for the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel to give it a better understanding of the role of the PACT, its priorities and examples of progress to date.

The presentation covered :-

• The Casey Review ‘Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime’
• What was a ‘P.A.C.T.’
• Amalgamation of Area Assembly Meetings and the PACT’s
• Current Position
• Examples of PACT priorities and response

A discussion and question and answer session ensued.

Information was provided on how operational issues were dealt with

Resolved:- (1) That Steve Parry be thanked for his informative presentation.

(2) That the current position in relation to the PACT process in Rotherham and progress made to date be noted.

(3) That a further report be submitted to this Panel, to include the following:-

• The Final Evaluation reports

• Future funding implications, particularly from March 2011

• The effect that PACT meetings have on other meetings including Safer Neighbourhood Team and Neighbourhood Action Groups.

Consideration was given to a report introduced by Jan Leyland, Neighbourhood Partnership Manager, which was an update on the progress made by Area Assemblies in delivering the Area Plans for 2009/10.

The report identified how targets and actions in the plans were addressing the top 3 community priorities and how this linked to the Rotherham Partnerships Community Strategy and the Local Area Agreement, particularly linking in to the Safe and Proud themes.

Why Community Priorities Matter - The Local Government Act 2000 identified the need for “community leadership, neighbourhood representation and effective communication between citizens and councils about local needs and priorities”.

What it means for Rotherham - Rotherham was already ahead of the game in many aspects, the Government vision was of local authorities working with partners particularly those from Parish Councils and the statutory and vol/com sector, to reshape public services around the citizens and communities that use them.

One method of providing communication between local citizens and the Council was through developing local Area Plans.

A presentation was given on a wide range of issues, particularly the good progress being made and future proposals to develop Area Assemblies.

It was noted that a consultation exercise would take place in 2010.

Resolved:- That the progress made be noted.

Consideration was given to a report introduced by Tim Mumford, Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services, setting out the latest position regarding the Review and set out the process for issuing the draft recommendations for public consultation and concluding the review through recommendations to Council and the Electoral Commission.

Reference was made to the following:-

• Background to the review
• Legal position and decision  making powers
• Summary of phases one and two
• Current Situation

Members provided information relating to Brinsworth, Hellaby and Laughton Common.

Resolved:- That the report be noted and the matters raised be considered by the Review Panel.

(Councillor Buckley declared a personal interest as a Member of Brinsworth Parish Council)

Councillor Mahroof Hussain, M.B.E., Cabinet Member for Community Development and Engagement referred to a previous report and reported verbally on the PREVENT Strategy.

Particular reference was made to the following:-

• the aims and intentions of the Strategy

• the role of the Council

• the role of the Police

• Rotherham One Town One Community

• Good community engagement throughout Rotherham

• how the Strategy was being operated and developed

Members referred to the following issues:-

• Protocols used in schools
• Access to information
• Use of resources
• Partnership Working

It was noted that Councillor Hussain was a member of the National PREVENT Group.

Resolved:- (1) That Councillor Hussain be thanked for the information provided.

(2) That details of the Action Plans be provided to Members.

(3) That quarterly reports on activity be submitted to this Panel.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel held on 29th October, 2009 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Development and Engagement held on 2nd November, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 23rd October, 6th and 20th November, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the New Arrivals Working Party held on 24th November, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following two items to enable progress to be made)

The Scrutiny Officer circulated a draft report setting out the position on Devolved Budgets.

The Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel was conducting a review into Devolved Budgets considering the effects these had had on the borough as a source of funding for neighbourhood projects, and the effects that would be felt if they were to cease.

This interim report contained the initial recommendations of the review group, following extensive interviews with Cabinet Members and Directors so that they could be incorporated into budgetary considerations.

Resolved:- That any comments on the proposed recommendation be supplied to the Scrutiny Officer to enable a report to be considered as part of the budgetary process for 2010/11.

The Chairman asked that any Member who wished to participate in this Review to contact her.