Agenda and minutes

The following disclosures of pecuniary and personal interests were made:

                      i.        by  Councillor Popley – a personal interest in item 6 on the agenda (Charnwood Community Lottery Update) as a member of St Botolph’s Church which has close links with the Passion Youth Project;

                    ii.        by  Councillor Parton  – a personal interest in item 6 on the agenda (Charnwood Community Lottery Update)  as a Trustee of Citizens Advice Charnwood and a Charnwood lottery  player;

                   iii.        by Councillor Miah - a personal interest in item 6 on the agenda (Charnwood Community Lottery Update) as a Trustee of Fearon Hall and a member of Equality Action.

No declarations of the existence of the Party Whip were made.

No questions were submitted.

No questions had been submitted.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support outlining the Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee’s terms of reference.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support regarding the remit and terms and reference of the Committee was submitted (item 5 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Democratic Services Manager attended to assist the Committee with its consideration of this item.  In considering this item it was noted that paragraph 5 of the report should read as follows;

“This Committee will have responsibility for scrutinising all the services delivered by the Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing directorate including CCTV, community safety and ASB, neighbourhood’s and partnerships, community grants, leisure centres, town tall, markets, refuse collection and street cleaning, open spaces and the cemetery.  In addition, the Committee acts as the Council’s Crime and Disorder Committee by scrutinising the discharge of crime and disorder functions by the Council and other agencies through the Community Safety Partnership”.

RESOLVED that the information regarding the remit and terms of reference of the Committee set out in Part B of, and the appendix to this report be noted.

Reason

To assist the effective working of the Committee as part of the Council’s new scrutiny committee structure.

A report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services reviewing the performance of the Charnwood Lottery six clear months after commencement of the scheme and the associated promotional activities.

A report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services reviewing the performance of the Charnwood Lottery six clear months after commencement of the scheme and the associated promotional activities was submitted (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

At the invitation of the Committee the relevant Cabinet Lead Member and Officers attended to assist the Committee with the consideration of this item. The following summarises comments and observations made by Members of the Committee and responses to questions raised:

      i.        Further promotion needs to be undertaken to increase ticket sales in general.  Officers confirmed that a number of initiatives were being looked at including attendance at more events to promote the lottery.

    ii.        Whilst increasing ticket sales was beneficial to the good causes, it was noted that there was an ethical balance in promotion and encouraging residents to play the lottery.

   iii.        Benchmarking with other Councils that run community lotteries is based on ticket sales as opposed to number of players

   iv.        There are safeguards in place to discourage individuals with gambling addictions.

    v.        Further work needs to be undertaken to generate support for the general good causes to help achieve income targets.  It was considered that all ward councillors have an important role in promoting the lottery to good causes.  It was suggested that briefings for interested groups be run in collaboration with ward councillors.

RESOLVED that the Committee notes the report.

Reason

To ensure that Members of the Committee are kept up to date on the performance of Charnwood Community Lottery scheme.

A report of the Chief Executive providing performance monitoring information and results for the fourth quarter of 2018-19 and end of year outturn, in respect of the Corporate Plan Objectives and Key Performance Indicators for the Neighbourhoods & Community Wellbeing Directorate.

A report of the Chief Executive providing performance information for the fourth quarter of 2018 – 19 and end of year outturn, in respect of the Corporate Plan objectives and key performance indicators was submitted (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes). 

At the invitation of the Committee the relevant Cabinet Lead Member and Officers attended to assist the Committee with the consideration of the red indicators. 

a)     key indicator ERM1 – NS(2) (Keep our residents safe through implementing a new community safety plan, combating ASB and investing in emergency planning, food safety and safeguarding)

The Cabinet Lead Member for Communities, Safety and Wellbeing and the Head of Neighbourhood Services stated that the partnership events were run either by the Council or with the Police.  It was noted this key indicator can be further explored at the Committee meeting in September when the Police will be present.

b)    key indicator ERM2 – NS(2) (Make Charnwood an attractive place for all through investment in our housing stock, funding community groups, and providing a range of diverse opportunities and events)

The Cabinet Lead Member for Communities, Safety and Wellbeing and the Head of Neighbourhood Services stated that the Thorpe Acre Action Group was now a Community Association and that matters were now progressing satisfactorily.

c)    key indicator K12 (Reduction in all crime)

The Cabinet Lead Member for Communities, Safety and Wellbeing and the Head of Neighbourhood Services were pleased to report that there has been a reduction in incidents and further information would be available at the September Committee meeting when the Police would be in attendance.

d)    key indicator K14 (Percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting)

The Cabinet Lead Member for Communities, Safety and Wellbeing and Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces stated that:

·         this was a national target and whilst the Council were keen to recycle and improve on this key indicator that the levels of recycling were still far from the national target of 50%.

·         unless the Council changed its waste collection arrangements at significant cost then the national target would remain difficult to achieve

·         partnership arrangements with organisations that run initiatives aimed at reducing waste such as crisp packet and pet food pouch recycling can be explored with the County Council but it was likely that the costs would be prohibitive for large scale roll out.

·         awareness and education of residents was a key factor in improving recycling rates. Noting that cross contamination of waste was a major problem with the current contamination rate standing at approximately 12%.  It was suggested by the Committee that new information be issued as part of the annual council tax leaflet mailing shot, and the bin sticker campaign be run again alongside other educational initiatives.

RESOLVED  

That the performance results, associated commentary and the explanations

Provided be noted.

Reason

To ensure that targets and objectives are being met, and to identify areas where

performance might be improved.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support enabling the Committee to review and agree the scrutiny work programme.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support was submitted to enable the Committee to review and agree its work programme (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Democratic Services Manager assisted the Panel with the consideration of this item.

The Chair referred to the current programme having been carried over from the previous scrutiny structure.  He hoped that the Committee would take a new, more efficient, effective and prioritised approach to its scrutiny work, including the involvement of the public at a future stage. To that end, the Committee:

RESOLVED

1.            that a briefing report about leisure provision including leisure centres and Loughborough Town Hall be scheduled to the Committee’s meeting to be held on 26^th November 2019;

2.            that a briefing report about community grants providing an explanation of how they operate and the work with strategic partners be scheduled to the Committee’s meeting to be held on 10^th September 2019;

3.            that a briefing report setting out options to improve the recycling rate and to reduce the level of waste contamination be scheduled to the Committee’s meeting to be held on 26^th November 2019;

4.            that a Scrutiny Review Panel concerning Anti- Social Behaviour and crime prevention be considered further at the 10th   September meeting when the Police will be in attendance;

5.            that the current position with the Committee’s Work Programme be noted.

Reasons

1, 2 & 3 The Committee wished to scrutinise the development of leisure provision, community grants and recycling rates   after more information was made available.

4.         To enable a Panel to be set up should information from the Police suggest that it would be beneficial to do so.

5.         To make the Committee aware of the current position with its Work Programme.

Future meeting dates of the Committee are as follows:

10^th September 2019

26^th November 2019

10^th March 2020

The Committee noted the future meeting dates as follows:

10^th September 2019

26^th November 2019

10^th March 2020