Agenda item

To consider the overview of the portfolio of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Safe and Clean Communities.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Finance and Safe and Clean Communities to the meeting.

Councillor Alam shared details of his Cabinet portfolio which ensured residents and employees were treated fairly and with dignity.

The portfolio also had an overview of the proper and efficient working of the Council and its processes, and with key elements of the Community Safety agenda and led on key Waste and Street Scene Services that were integral to the quality of life of residents.

Councillor Alam confirmed he also led on the ambition to secure “Excellent” accreditation under the Equality Framework for Local Government. Specific responsibilities included:-

·              All matters relating to Waste Management, collection and recycling, including engagement with the BDR Waste Partnership.

·              Street Scene, Street Cleansing, Litter & Fly Tipping.

·              Household Waste Recycling Centres.

·              To lead on Emergency Planning issues.

·              To lead on day to day working of financial activity (including Revenues and Benefits), and to support the Leader in development of the Budget and Capital Strategy.

·              Human resources strategies, policies and procedures.

·              To lead on ICT, particularly on new ways of working and Digital Inclusion.

·              To lead on Internal Audit and Risk Management.

·              To lead on Health, Safety and Equalities at Work.

·              Community Safety, Crime Reduction and Anti-Social Behaviour Strategies.

·              Chair of the Safer Rotherham Partnership.

·              All matters relating to the Channel Duty.

·              All matters relating to the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (including “Protect” and “Prepare”).

·              All matters relating to the deployment of portable CCTV.

·              Overall responsibility for Enforcement policy and performance (including Community Protection, Environmental Health, food hygiene and the joint agreement with Doncaster MBC).

·              To lead on all matters relating to Legal Services.

The Commission welcomed the opportunity to consider the content of the portfolio in detail and in doing so sought clarification on the term “channel duty”, recruitment and retention of Legal staff and costs associated with hiring locums, the biggest challenges facing Emergency Planning and whether there were any particuarly “at risk” areas within the Borough associated with extremism.

Councillor Alam appreciated the opportunity to respond to questions and confirmed that “channel duty” related to where concerns were expressed and referrals were made about children in an educational setting and the need for them to receive the correct level of support with regards to Prevent.

In terms of recruitment and retention of Legal staff and the desire to keep costs to a minimum, plans were already established within the Legal teams for training and development of Para Legal officers and on the job training.  There was a shortage of Legal staff within Local Government and Rotherham was taking action to help plug those gaps.  There were occasions where specialised Locums were required, but every effort was being made to keep this to a minimum.

Emergency Planning was facing some difficulties in the recruitment of volunteers in the event of an incident.  Naturally with staff turnover there were some changes, but more volunteers were required to be on call.

In terms of Rotherham’s risk of counter terrorism, there was the protest incident last year, but in general Rotherham had no identified high risk hot spots unlike other areas.

Resolved:-  That the detail provided by the Cabinet Member be welcomed and the contents noted.