Agenda and minutes

Keith Stringer was welcomed to his first meeting following his successful election as the Parish/Town Council representative.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

The member of the public present at the meeting did not wish to ask any questions.

- report by Lynne Rowan, Community Development Manager

SnehSoni, Customer Services and Engagement Manager, and Alan Goy, Rother Fed Member Development Officer, presented the second 6 monthly update on the progress of the Action Plan delivering the commitments detailed in the Customer Participation Compact, “Here’s the Deal”.

A series of roadshows to promote the Compact and opportunities for involvement took place during May and June linking in with Area Assemblies, a community litter pick, Area Housing Panel bus tours and a launch of a local Parish Plan.  It was estimated that contact had been made with 250 people, 7 additional customers involved in Area Housing Panel bus tours 2 of which were now Area Housing Panel members.

The Compact Monitoring Group continued to meet monthly to monitor all of the commitments detailed in the Action Plan.  Currently, of the 25 commitments monitored, 19 were on target with 6 off target.  Where commitments were off target more information was sought about recovery action being taken and reported back to the Group,

Councillor Walker, the Scrutiny Panel’s representative on the Group, stated that she had not received invitations to the Compact Monitoring Group meetings.  Alan Goy assured her that they had been sent out.

Comments on the item related to:-

-              Feedback was required following neighbourhood walkabouts

-              The ‘key player’ database was initially set up in 2004 and was now fully managed and further developed by 2010.  There was a range of backgrounds, age and different experiences.  It was maintained and updated on a regular basis with approximately 360 names on it

-              Rother Fed’s funding was year on year.  They had been verbally told in December, 2007, that there was a commitment on the Council’s part to continue funding it at the same level as previous

-              Various groups had been visited e.g. Eastwood Mission, REEMA, in an attempt to increase BME and hard to reach participation in Rother Fed.  It was hoped to tap into 2010’s database to share their community profiles

Resolved:-  (1)  That the performance monitoring framework reporting on progress of delivery of the action plan be noted.

(2)  That a report be submitted on the commitments currently off target.

- report by Vicky Brown, Strategy Planning Manager, Neighbourhoods and Adult Services

Tom Bell, Housing Market Renewal Team Leader, presented a report highlighting the key findings of the second stage of consultation following circulation of the draft Housing and Neighbourhood Strategy 2008-11 to key stakeholders in the Borough and across the region and sub-region.

A summary of the key findings was set out in the report submitted.

Discussion ensued on the document with the following points highlighted:-

-              The importance of working collectively to be made more explicit in the document

-              The HMR Team and 2010 had regular meetings to ensure they were not only working together but aligning resources

-              It appeared that tenants were being requested to carry out repairs to their properties themselves

-              There had been some soft market testing with the private sector on the Repairs and Maintenance Service.  A report setting out options was to be presented to the 2010 Board and to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods

-              Was it possible for the approved list of contractors for repairs and maintenance to be extended to include small local businesses?

-              The 3^rd extra care housing scheme was in the process of construction, fully funded through the Housing Corporation Development Programme

-              The document needed to make stronger reference to climate change, eco transport etc. but would do so as it developed

-              The Directorate and 2010 were currently reviewing the anti-social behaviour procedures and policy

Resolved:-  (1)  That the findings of the second stage of consultation on the Housing and Neighbourhood Strategy be noted.

(2)  That a further report be submitted in March, 2008, setting out a Housing and Neighbourhood Strategy to cover the period 2008-11.

(3)  That, further to (2) above, 2010 Rotherham Ltd. be invited to the meeting to respond to issues raised at the meeting.

- report by Steve Parry, Safer Rotherham Partnership Co-ordinator

The Safer Neighbourhoods Manager presented the Respect Action and Delivery Plan Refresh which highlighted the positive progress made and delivery of Key Action 1.1 within the Neighbourhood and Adult Services’ Service Plan 2007/10.

The Action and Delivery Plan was seen as the vehicle to drive and co-ordinate cross partnership activity to deliver a top level priority of the SRP i.e. reducing levels and addressing the poor public perception of anti-social behaviour in communities.

The overall effectiveness of the Plan in addressing anti-social behaviour would continue to be monitored by the SRP against a set of Performance Indicators under Priority 2 ‘Respect’.  They included the 4 Home Office mandatory Indicators based on people’s perceptions of anti-social behaviour taken from the tri-annual Local Government User Satisfaction Survey 2006/07.  They were also the Indicators used by the Government to measure progress nationally in tackling anti-social behaviour.

Simon Perry, Director of Targeted Support Services, reported on Children and Young People Service’s move to locality working which reflected SNT and Area Assemblies.  There would then be the potential and capacity to address local issues via a multi-agency approach.  It had been recognised nationally that problems had to be addressed early and intervene at an early stage before it reached the stage of complaints and concerns.  The services for all children and young people would be brought together with specialist services so at the onset of concern of increased risk whether it be from the school, Health Visitor, any Children and Young People professional, a member of the local community, Police, Elected Member, the Service would intervene and ascertain what was taking place.  The Police had committed to increasing their number of front line officers so that there was 1 in each locality who could work directly with the Children and Young People’s Service.

Discussion ensued on the report.  The following points were raised:-

-              Work had taken place with the Youth Offender Service.  A young person could discharge their fine by carrying out community work e.g. a litter pick

-              A number of ways to report anti-social behaviour – Police, SNT, 2010, Noise Team.  Should there be a special hotline to report it?

-              Positive Parenting Programme aimed at parents of disengaged teenagers and young children

Resolved:-  That the report be received.

- report by Michelle Musgrave, Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services

The Safer Neighbourhoods Manager reported that a review of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) was to take place in March, 2008.  The report submitted set out the scope of the proposed review which had been informed by discussion with South Yorkshire Police, a review of the strategic position, informal consultation at NAG level and information about current practice.

A formal stakeholder event would be held on 18^th March                                                       with the findings fed into the review.

The following issues would be looked at as part of the review:-

-              Access

o       Marketing

o       Improve Accommodation Strategy for SNTs

o       Communications

-              Influence

o       SNT Briefings and Tasking

o       Community Intelligence

o       Elected Members

o       Community Influence Cycle

o       Feedback Links

o       Engagement

-              Interventions

o       Contribution of partners to Community Safety/SNT Working

o       Rotherham Warden Review

o       Volcom/3^rd Sector

-              Answers

o       JAGS/NAGS

o       Vulnerable/Priority Locations

o       Performance Management

o       Service Standards

o       Meetings Structures

o       National Review Issues

Discussion ensued on the report with the following points highlighted:-

-              The Warden Review was only looking at those Wardens funded by NRF the funding for which was coming to an end shortly which included Junior Wardens

-              There were a number of initiatives in schools e.g. Streetpride Champion.  Could some be smarter and have a wider brief so that there would be a continuation but not at the same level as previously?

-              The SNT briefing was operational involving 2010 Champions and the Police.  It was not the right arena for Parish/Town Council representation.

Resolved:-  That the initiation of a development review of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the intention to gain further insight from stakeholders to develop the review further be noted.

- Key Decisions between 1^st February-30^th April, 2008

The Panel noted the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Forward Plan of key decisions for the period 1^st February-30th April, 2008.

Resolved:-  That the Forward Plan be noted.

- minutes of meetings held on 7^th and 21^st January, 2008

The Panel noted the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods held on 7^th and 21^st January, 2008.

- minutes of meeting held on 17^th January, 2008

The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th January, 2008, were noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 18^th January, 2008

The minutes of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 18^th January, 2008, were noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 8^th January, 2008

The minutes of a meeting of the Recycling Group held on 8^th January, 2008, attended by Councillors R. Russell (in the Chair), Atkin, Falvey and Walker were noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 30^th January, 2008

The minutes of the above Working Party held on 30th January, 2008, attended by Councillors Sharman (in the Chair) and Hussain, be noted.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100(4) of the Local Government act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 indicated below of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

- update by Mike Clements, Service Accountant

Further to Minute No. 103 of 17^th January, 2008, the Service Accountant submitted an update on the latest position in relation to proposals for the budget setting process for 2008/09 and the development of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy. 

Clarification was sought on:-

-              Off-road motorcycles

-              Community Leadership Fund

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services stated that the Directorate was confident it would be able to deliver the priorities within the 2008/09 budget.

Resolved:-  That the report be noted.