Agenda and minutes

The Chair announced that members of the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel had been invited to attend the meeting for the item relating to Chesterhill Intensive Neighbourhood Management Pilot.

The Panel were advised that Councillor Sheila Walker’s health was improving.  Councillor McNeely passed on her best wishes for a speedy recovery. 

There were no Declarations of Interest made at the meeting.

There were no members of the public and press present at the meeting.

- presentation by Mark Ford/Lewis Coates

Lewis Coates, Public Protection Manager, gave the following powerpoint presentation on Enforcement:-

Overview – Priority Drivers - Local

-              National Priorities

-              Local Area Agreement

-              Community Strategy

-              Noise Reduction Strategy

-              Enviro-Crime Strategy

-              Respect Agenda

-              SNT

-              Public

Service Provision and Impact – Services Provided:-

-              Traditional Environmental Health functions

-              Contaminated Land

-              Closed Landfills

-              Air Quality

-              Off-Road Motorbikes

-              Anti-Social Behaviour

-              Enviro-Crime

-              Rotherham Wardens

-              Dog Wardens

-              Pest Control

-              Licensing Enforcement

How Does it all fit together – National and Local

-              Impact

-              Vulnerable

-              Quality of Life

-              Anti-Social Behaviour

-              Contributory Factors

Actions – 2008/09 – Strategic and Policy

-              Air Quality Strategy refreshed

-              Enviro-Crime Strategy refreshed

-              Out of Hours Service extended

-              Anti-Social Behaviour Policy and Procedure refreshed

-              4% reduction in Domestic Noise compared wth 2007/08 (8% compared to 2006/07)

Service Demand 2008/09 (Quarter 1-3)

-              16,685 Service requests investigated

            Private Sector housing

            Noise

            Pollution Control

            Enviro-Crime

            Pest Control

            Stray Dogs

            Rotherham Wardens

            Licensing Enforcement Investigations

Actions – Compliance 2008/09

-              349 Inspections of Private Rented properties

-              449 Planning Application consultations

-              114 Permitted Processes under Environmental Protection Act

-              All licenses premised in the Town Centre, Maltby, Brinsworth and Aston received Multi-Agency Compliance visits in December

Actions – Enforcement 2008/09 (Quarter 1-3)

-              126 Statutory Notices service on Private Sector housing

-              214 Abatement Notices under Environmental Protection Act 1990

-              125 Anti-Social Behaviour Enforcement Actions

-              87 Licensing Enforcement Actions

-              337 Fixed Penalty Notices for Enviro-Crime

-              41 Prosecutions

-              6 Seizures

Challenges

-              Multi-Disciplinary Teams

-              ‘Patch’ Team Working

-              Shared Partner Service Standards – Safer Neighbourhood Team – Police Pledge – Neighbourhood Charters – Anti-Social Behaviour Performance

-              Increasing public reassurance and confidence

-              Anti-Social Behaviour, Selective Licensing, Closed Landfill sites

-              Stepping up customer/personalisation standards

A question and answer session ensued with the following points highlighted:-

• Whether the direct effects of air quality and noise control within the Borough were reported and if so how this was done.  It was confirmed that noise control was monitored via the Noise Reduction Strategy at a number of levels.  In relation to air quality monitoring reports were produced which included facts and figures and these were presented to Parish Councils.
• Concerns were raised about the air quality in the Brinsworth area, which was poor largely due to being located between the M1 and the Parkway.  Confirmation was given that work was ongoing with Sheffield City Council to monitor the situation and it was hoped that with the introduction of improved engines in vehicles that in time the air quality would improved.  Pressure was being applied to South Yorkshire Transport providers to ensure their vehicles were low emissions.
• Whether the Junior Warden Scheme would be re-introduced to encourage young people to take a pride in their community.  Confirmation was given that this would only be possible if funding could be secured.  However community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

Lewis Coates, Public Protection Manager reported on the changes in statutory duties relating to stray dogs which had removed all responsibility for dealing with them from the Police and placed them with the Council with effect from 1^st July, 2008.

In order to provide the new service, a bespoke local kennelling unit had been provided.  The portacabin was located close to the town centre and allowed members of the public, following contact with the out-of-hours service (Streetpride and Rothercare) who had a stray dog to place it into kennels temporarily ahead of collection by the contracted kennels.  Over the first 3 months of the service the number of dogs reported and taken to the out-of-hours kennelling facility was:-

18 dogs during the evenings Monday to Friday

41 dogs during Saturday and Sundays.

There had also been an increase in the number of dogs seized by the Dog Warden Service from 99 in July-September, 2007 to 132 in the same period in 2008.  This corresponded with the information from South Yorkshire Police that they were receiving around 350 stray dogs per quarter.

Pressure on service from the information provided from the Police had been anticipated and, whilst the numbers of stray dogs handled by the Service in the first quarter did not match the expected demand, the Rotherham Dog Rescue charity had raised concerns following their own assessment of more stray dog calls received.

A meeting had been arranged with the charity on site at the new kennelling facility.  Access to the new service was discussed and the procedure for the out-of-hours service as well as a number of comments and suggestions made by the charity including:-

-              Request for larger cages in the unit portacabin

-              Request for lockable cages to prevent kennel sharing and theft of dogs

-              Further information made available in the portacabin with reference to out-of-hours telephone numbers.

Resolved;- (1) That the continued positive progress taken to introduce the statutory requirements of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 in relation to stray dogs be welcomed.

(2) That a further progress report be presented to the panel in six months time, to include service demand and associated costs for the first year of running the service.

- report of Mark Ford,  Safer Neighbourhoods Manager

Steve Parry, Safer Rotherham Partnership Co-ordinator presented an update on the progress of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Neighbourhood Action Groups and the Joint Action Group of the Safer Rotherham Partnership.

The report described the relationship between each of the above-mentioned groups and highlighted the contribution they had made to make a difference to the communities in Rotherham.  The continuous improvement of the Safer Neighbourhood structures, linking in to the strengthening of Area Assemblies and the further enhancement of communities in having an influence on how partner services delivered to local needs was also emphasised.

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

• Whether it would be possible to let all members have the dates for the SNT meetings to enable them to attend those relevant to them should they wish to.
• The perception of the public about decreases in crime and how this is communicated to make it more meaningful (for example communicating actual numbers rather than percentages)
• What was being done differently to bring about this reduction in crime figures?  Classic SNT issues were being addressed, problems were being identified and action plans formulated to manage them.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the achievements resulting from the Safer Neighbourhoods Partnership working be welcomed.

(2)  That it be noted that the Scrutiny Panel recognises the further development of the partnership approach by strengthened working arrangements to ensure continuous improvement.

- report of Catherine Dale, Neighbourhood Initiatives Manager

Catherine Dale, Neighbourhood Initiatives Manager presented a report on the Chesterhill Intensive Neighbourhood Management Pilot outlining the progress and impact made and how the learning would be shared and the approach rolled out across the Borough.

Chesterhill Avenue had been identified in 2007 as the most vulnerable community in Rotherham and in need of intensive neighbourhood management arrangements.  A pilot neighbourhood was established covering around 650 households and a 12 month period of intensive management began in September, 2007.

In 12 months the change on stabilising the neighbourhood, mobilising the community and changing residents’ perceptions were clearly evident:-

-              Improved level of satisfaction with the local area

-              Reduced perception around anti-social behaviour

-              Increased community influence and participation

-              Improved trust of partner agencies

-              Significant reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour

Chesterhill Avenue consisted of 143 properties and, since the decision to demolish and redevelop, approximately 95% of all tenants had been rehoused and dispersed across the Borough.  The total cost of delivering the pilot, including mainstream re-directed resource, external funding and funding from Housing Market Renewal, was £152,000 with 50% met by utilising existing mainstream resources.

A discussion ensued on the report.  The following issues were highlighted:-

§               Whether the next initiative had been identified.  It was confirmed that a Steering Group would be set up to formulate how the next initiative would be identified to ensure that the next neighbourhood was chosen fairly.

§               Anyone wishing to put forward suggestions for a vulnerable neighbourhood which they feel would benefit from this initiative should raise it through the NAG process.

§               It was felt that more emphasis should be placed on preventing problems rather than waiting for them to happen.

§               Concerns were raised about the lettings policy and allocation of properties.  Confirmation was had been highlighted as part of a review of Key Choices, which was currently being undertaken

The Chair requested that a report be brought to a future meeting giving details of the next phase, which would include achievements made, the way forward and how to sustain progress made.

Resolved:-  (1) That the progress and impact of the pilot, along with the planned roll out of the learning and the approach into other vulnerable neighbourhoods across the Borough, be noted.

(2) That a report be presented to a future meeting in relation to the next phase.

- report of Caroline Webb, Scrutiny Adviser

Caroline Webb, Senior Scrutiny Adviser, submitted a proposal for a Scrutiny review of void turnarounds.

Voids turnaround had been identified as a key concern for Members.  Whilst performance was improving, it still fell below expected levels.  With high demand for housing, it was important that properties were re-let on a timely basis to maximise both revenue and housing options for tenants.

Resolved:-  (1)  That it be agreed for the review of voids turnaround be undertaken.

(2) That the following members be part of a small steering group to scope the review and determine the panel wished to interview:

• Councillor R McNeely
• Councillor F Wright
• Councillor G Nightingale
• Alex Armitage
• Andrew Roddison

(3) That the meeting scheduled for 16^th April, 2009 be used for evidence gathering.

- minutes of meetings held on 5^th and 19^th January and 2^nd February, 2009

The Panel noted the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods held on 5^th and 19th January and 2^nd February, 2009.

- minutes of meeting held on 15th January, 2009

The minutes of the meeting held on 15th January, 2009, were agreed.

- minutes of meeting held on 19^th December, 2008, 16^th and 28^th January, 2009

The minutes of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 19th December, 2008 and 16^th and 28^th January, 2009, were noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 28^th January, 2009

The minutes of the above Working Party held on 28th January, 2009, attended by Councillors Sharman (in the Chair) and Rushforth were noted.

 - minutes of meeting held on 6^th January, 2009

The minutes of a meeting of the Recycling Group held on 6th January, 2009, attended by Councillors R. Russell (in the Chair), Ali and Nightingale were noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 9^th January, 2008

A discussion ensued about the minute relating to allotments and it was suggested that this issue be explored in more depth.  The Chair reported that she would approach the Councillor Boyes, the Chair of Regeneration Scrutiny Panel to ascertain whether further work was planned, and if so register an interest in being involved.

Agreed:- That the minutes of the above Advisory Group held on 9th January, 2009, attended by Councillors Wyatt (in the Chair), Austen, Gosling, and Pickering, be noted.