Agenda and minutes

The Former Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel - Thursday 12 June 2008 9.30 a.m.

Venue: Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.

Contact: Dawn Mitchell (Ext. 2062) Email: dawn.mitchell@rotherham.gov.uk

Items
No.	Item
1.	Communications View the background to item 1. Minutes: The Chair reported receipt of an invitation from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for a representative of the Scrutiny Panel to attend a Performance District Forum even to be held in the Town Hall on 30^th June, 2008, 10.00 a.m.-12.00 Noon. Anyone interested should contact Councillor McNeely.
2.	Declarations of Interest View the background to item 2. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.
3.	Questions from members of the public and the press View the background to item 3. Minutes: There were no questions from the public and press.
4.	Appointment of Co-optees for 2008/09 PDF 54 KB Minutes: The Scrutiny Adviser reported on the progress made in co-options to the Panel. Resolved:- That the following be co-opted onto the Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel as follows:- Mr. Jack Carr representing Environmental Protection UK (Yorkshire Division) Mr. Andrew Roddison representing RotherFed Mr. Derek Corkell representing RotherFed Mrs. B. Bartholomew representing Parish Councils (2008-2010) Mr. A. Armitage representing Parish Councils (2008-2010)
5.	Representation on Working Parties/Panels 2008/09 PDF 24 KB Minutes: Resolved:- That the following nominations be made to the bodies set out below for the 2008/09 Municipal Year:- Councillor P. A. Russell Health, Welfare and Safety Panel Substitute – Councillor Nightingale Councillor Atkin Recycling Group Councillors McNeely and Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel P. A. Russell Councillor Walker Compact Monitoring Group Councillors McNeely and Members Sustainable Development Action Walker Group Councillor Atkin Members Consultation Advisory Group Councillor McNeely Member Training and Development Panel Councillor McNeely Churches Together
6.	Representation of the Council on Outside Bodies 2008/09 PDF 40 KB Minutes: Consideration was given to the nominations to various bodies as set out in the report submitted. Resolved:- (1) That the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods be advised of the following nominations to outside bodies:- Councillor McNeely Decent Homes Partnering Board Councillor F. Wright Rotherham Rent Bond Guarantee Scheme Councillor F. Wright RUSH House Management Committee Councillor Atkin and Environmental Protection UK Mr. J. Carr Yorkshire and Humberside Division Councillor Falvey and Yorkshire and Humberside Pollution Advisory Mr. J. Carr Council Councillor Havenhand Women’s Refuge
7.	Forward Plan/Work Programme for the Scrutiny Panel PDF 66 KB Minutes: The Scrutiny Adviser submitted an Outline Work Programme for 2008/09 which set out issues identified for future consideration by this Scrutiny Panel during the forthcoming Municipal Year. The work programme is flexible and issues may be referred to the Panel which arise throughout the course of the year. In the Forward Plan for Scrutiny Services, the proposals for work included reviews of:- - The Council’s Housing Allocation Policy – the consumer perspective - Touching the Voids – what would be a reasonable turnaround time - The Housing Needs of EU Migrant Workers – how the private sector can meet this challenge Together with:- - Working with RotherFed - Community planning - Private sector enforcement - Farepak – Government proposals - Increasing the provision of Council-owned housing - HMT: Four Years on – what progress? The Chair also suggested that 1 of the Local Area Agreement targets was selected and tracked for 2 years to ascertain what progress had been made. It was proposed that “Serious Acquisitive Crime Rate” be chosen as many agencies worked on it, availability of statistics at Ward level and Members able to contribute both with ideas for improvements and whether they had seen improvements in their own Ward. Resolved:- (1) That the Scrutiny Adviser be requested to subject the possible Scrutiny Reviews to the Scrutiny checklist for suitability. (2) That the “Serious Acquisitive Crime Rate” LAA target be selected as outlined above. (3) That there be a 20 minute slot at the commencement of each Panel meeting for a short “showcase” of various sections of the Directorate.
8.	Priorities and Work Programme - presentation by Councillor Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods Minutes: The Chair congratulated Councillor Akhtar on his new post as Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods. She took the opportunity to thank ex-Cabinet Member and Councillor, Sue Ellis, with whom the Panel had had an excellent working relationship with who had always been available to answer question/queries and be accountable for her portfolio. An invitation was extended to Councillor Akhtar to attend the monthly Panel meetings. Councillor Akhtar gave a powerpoint presentation as follows:- Key Areas of Responsibility - Neighbourhood Management - Area Assemblies - Strategic Housing - Housing Management - Homelessness - Adaptations - Sheltered Housing - Community Safety and Safer Neighbourhood Teams - Regulatory Function Achievements 2007/08 - 94% of Neighbourhoods’ Key Performance Indicators achieved their target for 2007/08 - Improved Community Safety performance - Implementation of Smoking Ban - Incidences of noise reduced by 9% through the Noise Reduction Strategy - Improved energy efficiency ratings - Improvements in the Adaptations Service - 23 ultra thermally efficient homes built and occupied – Henley Rise - Beacon Status in partnership with EDS for ‘Better Public Places’ Other Notable Successes in 2007/08 - 100% delivery of Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Programme plus £2m overprogramming spent - Area Assembly Team won the Local Government Yorkshire and Humberside “Stepping Up to the Challenge” award - 3 out of 4 Housing Performance achieved - New Domestic Violence Strategy adopted - Retained Charter Mark for all Neighbourhoods customer facing services - Neighbourhoods recognised as 1 of only 17 nationwide “Standard Bearers” for the new Government standard for customer excellence in recognition of the commitment and record in delivering customer focussed services The most difficult issues facing Neighbourhoods in 2008/09 - Reducing the perception of crime - Delivering Decent Homes - ALMO achieving 2* - maintaining funding for Decent Homes - Investment in private sector housing The Year Ahead - Make Area Assemblies work - Deal with the future of 2010 Rotherham Ltd. - Tackle anti-social behaviour - Safer Neighbourhood Teams all operate at the same level and through the Area Assemblies - Build and plan more affordable housing - Sort out the Choice Based Lettings Scheme - Review the approach to Older People Housing A question and answer session ensued with the following points raised/clarified:- o Although not specifically mentioned, the responsibility for the monitoring of air pollution, reporting of infectious diseases etc. still laid with Neighbourhoods and Adult Services; o The Respect Action Group had been reshaped to include more senior members of staff from Children and Young Peoples’ Services as well as ensuring the new Locality Managers were part of Safer Neighbourhood Teams; o The first Youth Area Assembly had been launched; o An issue that had come through Area Plans was activities for young people. 1 of the themed based meetings in each Area Assembly would be on this topic. The Locality Managers would work closely with young people to organise such; o Positive marketing was required as members of the public were reluctant to take up an equity based loan o Council’s ... view the full minutes text for item 8.
9.	Priorities and Work Programme - presentation by Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Communities and Involvement Minutes: The Chair congratulated Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Communities and Involvement, who had been presented with his MBE by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, at Buckingham Palace the previous day. Councillor Hussain gave a powerpoint presentation as follows:- Portfolio – Key Work Streams - Parish Network - Asylum Seekers and Refugees - Equality Work - Local Democracy Week - Rotherham LiNK - Celebrating Diversity - Gypsy and Traveller site allocation - Promoting Community Cohesion - Managing EU Migration - Tackling Deprivation – Narrowing the Gap - Voluntary and Community Sector Local Democracy Week 15-21^st October, 2007 - Youth Cabinet Manifesto Launch and Launch of the election process for UK Youth Parliament - Political speed dating - Question Time event at ThomasRoad College and RCAT - Question and Answer session with representatives of the BME Schools Council - 2008 Local Democracy Week to be held 13-17^th October – will incorporate citizenship which will provide a means of bringing individuals and communities together to celebrate shared values and distinct heritages Narrowing the Gap - Deprivation in Rotherham had fallen – now ranked 68 on the average IMD score compared to 63 in 2004 - Main causes of deprivation in Rotherham remained education, health and employment - Following actions proposed in 2008/09:- § Production of a Tackling Health Inequalities Action Plan § Production of a Working Neighbourhoods Plan that addresses worklessness § Learning from Neighbourhood work (Eastwood and Springwell Gardens) The Local Involvement Network (LiNK) for Rotherham - Getting Ready for LiNKS Working Group set up in October, 2007 - OJEU procurement process to appoint a Host organisation - Voluntary Action Rotherham appointed in May, 20078, to act as Host for the LiNK - Volunteers had been sought to work with VAR to develop - 1^st meeting of Steering Group, Working Group and VAR to be held in July/August EU Migration - Mapping of RMBC/2010 Rotherham Ltd. responses and gaps October-December, 2007 - Multi-agency conference in January, 2008, and Education conference in June, 2008 - Rotherham Partnership commitment to accelerate proactive approach - Future Work:- § Welcome pack and Induction Centre § Raising housing standards § Myth busting § Improving cohesion § Engaging employers in English classes § Assessing impact on schools § Improving access to health and social care Community Cohesion - Rotherham Community Cohesion Strategy refreshed - £540,000 funding for cohesion allocated from the Area Based Grant 2008-2011 - Areas of activity agreed and process underway - Future work to include § Interfaith dialogue § Intercultural engagement § Intergenerational dialogue § Education programmes for faith leaders § Empowerment and support for women § Publicity campaigns to challenge prejudice and discrimination Diversity - Bollywood Boulevard – part of IIFA celebration - Black History month - Rotherham Diversity Festival 2007 - China Day 19^th July, 2008 Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocation - South Yorkshire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment completed in July, 2007 and subsequent approval by Cabinet to identify pitch needs ... view the full minutes text for item 9.
10.	Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods PDF 163 KB View the background to item 10. - minutes of the meeting held on 21^st April and 19^th May, 2008 Minutes: The Panel noted the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods held on 21^st April and 19^th May, 2008. Resolved:- (1) That the Chesterhill Intensive Neighbourhood Management Pilot Mid-Term Review and Impact (Minute No. 225 of 21^st April, 2008 refers) be submitted to this Scrutiny Panel. (2) That the Housing Strategy 2008-11 be submitted to this Scrutiny Panel.
11.	Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel PDF 180 KB View the background to item 11. - Minutes of the meeting held on 24^th April, 2008 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 24th April, 2008, were noted.
12.	Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee PDF 136 KB View the background to item 12. - minutes of the meetings held on 11^th and 25^th April, 2008 Additional documents: Minutes , 25/04/2008 Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee , item 12. PDF 152 KB Minutes: The minutes of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 11^th and 25^th April, 2008 were noted.