Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

Cllr Collingham declared a personal interest as Clerk to Thurcroft Parish Council in relation to Item 8 (Council Plan 2022-2025 and Year Ahead Delivery Plan Progress Update). He remained present in the meeting and participated in the Board’s consideration of the issue and decision.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

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

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

There were no exempt items on the agenda.

For Overview and Scrutiny Management Board to consider the Safer Rotherham Partnership’s Annual Report in its role as the Council’s Statutory Crime and Disorder Committee.

The Board considered the Safer Rotherham Partnership’s Annual Report in its role as the Council’s Statutory Crime and Disorder Committee. This was in line with Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006 and the Crime and Disorder (Overview and Scrutiny) Regulations 2009, which stated that annual scrutiny was required of decisions made and actions taken by responsible authorities in connection with the discharge of crime and disorder functions.

The partnership assessed local crime priorities annually, consulting with partners and the local community and monitor progress in achieving them. The Probation Service, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and South Yorkshire Police were the five responsible authorities who made up the partnership. In addition, Voluntary Action Rotherham, Victim Support and the Police and Crime Commissioner were represented on SRP Board meetings.

The overarching priorities referred to in the annual report were agreed by the SRP Board in 2018, following an enhanced assessment and consultation process to develop 3-year priorities from 2018 to 2021. Annual “light touch” reviews had taken place since, focussing on high-risk threats and areas presenting an increasing or changing risk level. A comprehensive and enhanced priority review process was carried out from May 2021 to March 2022 to inform new priorities and a new SRP Plan from 2022 to 2025. This included a comprehensive review of Police and partner data and information, wide ranging consultation, use of the Management of Risk in Law Enforcement (MoRiLE) tool to assess risks and workshops with strategic leads and professionals with relevant expertise.

The Chair welcomed the Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Community Safety and Finance, the Assistant Director for Community Safety and Streetscene, the Interim Head of Safety and Streetscene and Chief Superintendent Kosckiewicz, South Yorkshire Police to the meeting.

The Cabinet Member introduced the report and outlined that the Safer Rotherham Partnership (SRP) was the Borough's Community Safety Partnership, set up under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Responsible authorities had a duty to work together to protect their local communities and help people feel safer, dealing with crime and local issues such as anti-social behaviour, drug or alcohol misuse and reoffending.

The Assistant Director outlined that the report provided a high-level overview of partnership activities over the previous 12 months. The Assistant Director referred to the priority areas which were detailed in the report. These included:

·       child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation;

·       prevention of online offending;

·       prevention of re-offending;

·       protecting vulnerable people being drawn into extremism;

·       managing community tensions;

·       reducing repeat victims of crime;

·       tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls; and

·       preventing serious and organised crime.

The report detailed action in respect of each of these issues in turn, highlighting successes and acknowledging areas of challenge.

The Chair invited the Chief Superintendent to comment on the report. She highlighted that the partnership worked well together, citing the example of the externally validated work on Child and Criminal Exploitation of this positive approach.

The Chair invited  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

To consider the outcomes of a spotlight review undertaken by Members of Health Select Commission that sought assurances around the safety of care home workers and residents during the pandemic and onward.

The Senior Governance Adviser introduced the report and outlined the outcomes of the spotlight review undertaken by Members of Health Select Commission. The review sought assurances around the safety of care home workers and residents during the pandemic and onward. It was noted that this work ran parallel to work undertaken on a national and regional level.

Resolved:

1.             That the report be noted.

2.             That the following recommendations from the review be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and response:

a.             That the learning from the pandemic and ongoing needs in respect of care home safety be noted.

b.             That the service consider how the Council may help support recruitment and retention within the care sector.

c.              That consideration be given to how best to retain, where possible, the benefits of supportive models such as regular engagement, access to training/guidance and Interdisciplinary Management Team (IMT) approach, which were adopted during the pandemic.

d.    That outcomes of forthcoming reviews by the Health and Wellbeing Board on learning from the Pandemic be considered for scrutiny.

To consider a report which sets out proposals for a new service to help prevent the financial abuse and exploitation of Rotherham residents.

Cabinet Portfolio: The Leader

Strategic Directorate: Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

This report set out proposals for a new service to help prevent the financial abuse and exploitation of Rotherham residents. The proposed service would include the recruitment of a specialist investigator dedicated to Rotherham to investigate cases where crime was suspected, the review of historic exploitation cases and the delivery of financial exploitation and abuse awareness training for key staff and partners. The service would add to the existing safeguarding offer within the Council’s Adults Safeguarding Service and the Council’s Trading Standards Service to provide a more comprehensive response.

Discussions had been held with West Yorkshire Joint Services Trading Standards Team to support the development of options for a service offer for Rotherham. This illustrated the key aspects of work to supplement and enhance a procured Rotherham service offer. The activity would be supported by existing resources within Council services such as Adults Safeguarding, Trading Standards and key partners. The new service offer would include the appointment of a specialist investigator to deal with Rotherham casework; a review of historical cases; delivery of awareness raising; and development of processes and procedures.

The Leader introduced the report and outlined that this initiative was cross-cutting but would sit in the Adult Care Service. An overview of what was meant by financial exploitation was given and it was noted that this was one of the most frequent concerns raised with adult safeguarding. It was outlined in respect of this type of criminal exploitation, older people were often victims, however, it was not limited to this group.

The Chair invited questions from the Board and a discussion on the following issues ensued:

·      Further details were sought of the options considered. It was outlined that there were benefits to not commissioning the service from ‘scratch’. The West Yorkshire team had developed considerable expertise and a local investigator would add to this.

·      The recommended hybrid option was welcomed. It was noted that it was likely that a number of investigations would focus on financial abuse of people with care packages. A concern was expressed that the narrative around successful investigations or convictions should be managed carefully so as not to deter carers. In response, it was noted that there was a challenge about the where the new service was positioned, although as the concerns were reported as safeguarding issues, it was felt that it was located appropriately. Assurance was given that the messages about convictions and progress would be managed sensitively.

·      It was noted that an evaluation would be carried out after the first year. The Chair requested that a briefing be circulated to the Board on progress.

·       It was noted that vulnerable children and young people in receipt of care packages or payments could also be victims of financial exploitation. It was outlined that there was no intent in the design to limit the service to one section of the community.

In conclusion, the Chair welcomed this initiative as part of the Council’s wider safeguarding responsibilities.

Resolved:

1.    That Cabinet be advised that the following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 128.

To consider a progress report outlining Year Ahead Delivery Plan activities and the data for the Council Plan performance measures for the second quarter of 2022-23.

Cabinet Portfolio: The Leader

Strategic Directorate: Assistant Chief Executive

The Chair welcomed the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive and members of the wider Senior Leadership Team to the meeting.

The Leader of the Council introduced a report which set out the Council’s vision for the Borough and priorities for residents and communities. The Plan provided the medium-term basis for targeting resources, informing the budget-setting process and planning cycles, and ensuring that residents can hold the Council to account for delivery.

Formal progress reports were considered by Cabinet every three months, with the first report presented in June 2022. This third report focussed on activities in the Year Ahead Delivery Plan for Quarter 2. It was noted that of the 92 priorities, 88% were achieved or on target with eight being delayed.

The Leader outlined some areas of successful delivery including the re-opening of Keppel’s Column, the programme of events supporting the Women’s Euro football tournament and development of day services for learning disabled people in Canklow.

Of the areas behind schedule, the following issues were outlined:

·       Community Protection Notices – progress was being made and capacity of the team had been increased.

·       Thurcroft Library – issues beyond the control of the Council had delayed progress but this was being resolved.

·       Delays to Town Centre housing schemes – there had been slight delays but this was reflective of the national picture.

·       Flood defences – the land ownership issues which had delayed progress had been resolved.

It was noted that 32% of performance measures were on target, with a corresponding 32% off target. It was explained that a number of these were annual measures and the annual survey results were lower than the previous year.

The Leader referred to call answer times and customer service targets which had been raised previously by Board Members. It was outlined that recruitment to vacant post was now on track and it was anticipated that average call time would be below six minutes.

The Chair invited questions and a discussion on the following issues ensued:

Clarification was sought on what actions were being taken in response to complaints about street cleaning. It was explained that staffing pressures particularly in respect of driver shortages for waste collections, were being addressed. It was anticipated that this would ease overall pressures for services.

It was noted that planning permission had been granted to expand Meadowhall. Considering this, comments were invited on the potential impact on the Forge Island development. In response, it was noted that there was confidence that there was a market for this provision at Forge Island.

Clarification was sought if the most recent Resident’s Satisfaction Survey had been added to the website. It was confirmed that this had been actioned.

In respect of consultation and engagement, a view was expressed that there were improvements to be made, particularly in respect of engagement with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. It was outlined that a new consultation and engagement framework had been developed. It was acknowledged that the Council was engaging  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

To consider the Board’s Work Programme.

The Board considered its Work Programme.

The Chair agreed to expedite the scrutiny activity relating to bye-laws and life saving equipment following the motion to Council considered on 30 November 2022.

Resolved: - That the Work Programme be approved.

To receive updates from the Chairs of the Select Commission on work undertaken and planned for the future.

This item was deferred.

To review and identify items for pre-decision scrutiny from the Forward Plan of Key Decisions covering the period from 01 December 2022 to 28 February 2023.

The Board considered the Forward Plan of Key Decisions 1 December 2022 to 28 February 2023.

Resolved: - That the Forward Plan be noted.

To consider any issues referred for call-in from recent Cabinet meetings.

There were no call-in issues.

To determine any item which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.

The next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board will be held on Thursday 19 January 2023 at 10.00am at Rotherham Town Hall.

Resolved: - That the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board will be held at 10.00am on Thursday 19 January 2023 at Rotherham Town Hall.