Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Casling and White.  

A copy of the Register of Interest for each Selby District Councillor is available for inspection at www.selby.gov.uk.

Councillors should declare to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest in any item of business on this agenda which is not already entered in their Register of Interests.

Councillors should leave the meeting and take no part in the consideration, discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Councillors should also declare any other interests.  Having made the declaration, provided the other interest is not a disclosable pecuniary interest, the Councillor may stay in the meeting, speak and vote on that item of business.

If in doubt, Councillors are advised to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee held on 25 October 2018.

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2018.

RESOLVED:

To approve the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 25 October 2018 for signing by the Chair.

The Chair informed the Committee that Councillor Sage had requested that the Committee look again at the contract of the Council’s waste services provider, Amey Plc. It was noted that discussions would take place with the Head of Commissioning, Contracts and Procurement about this.  

To discuss and agree items for inclusion on the Committee’s work programme for 2018-19, and consider the findings from the Scrutiny Training held on 23 October 2018.

The Executive’s Forward Plan for December 2018 to March 2019 is also appended for information.

The Democratic Services Manager introduced the item which asked the Committee to agree items for inclusion on the revised Work Programme 2018-19 and to consider the findings from the scrutiny training held on 23 October 2018.

The Chair noted that the scrutiny training had been useful for Members due to its tailored approach to Selby.

RESOLVED:

To note the work programme and the findings from the scrutiny training.

To consider the contents of the report and make any comments on the Council’s Programme for Growth.

The Chair decided to amend the agenda so that the following item was taken first.    

The Economy and Infrastructure Manager introduced the report which outlined quarterly progress on delivering the Programme for Growth, in accordance with the approach agreed by the Executive at their meeting on 3 May 2018.

The Economy and Infrastructure Manager explained that the update had been presented to the Executive earlier in the month along with an update on progress with the Economic Development Framework (EDF). The Committee was informed that a key part of the EDF report related to staffing for projects in the Programme for Growth and that following a request from the Executive for further information, an updated report on the EDF would be brought back to the Executive in January 2019.

In response to a query concerning what further information had been requested by the Executive, the Economy and Infrastructure Manager explained that further information had been requested concerning specific budgets and clarity on roles and responsibilities.

A query was raised around the Selby 950 project and the finances for this. The Head of Communities, Partnerships and Customers explained that £150k had been allocated for the Tour de Yorkshire with the remaining allocation to be used on projects where match funding could be obtained along with possible resources from businesses.

RESOLVED:

To note the progress on the existing Programme for Growth.

Chief Inspector Rachel Wood and Councillor Carl Les, Chair of the North Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, will be in attendance at the meeting to answer Members’ questions on policing in Selby District and across the wider area.

A report on the work of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel is attached.

The Chair welcomed Chief Inspector Rachel Wood and Inspector Yvonne Taylor, North Yorkshire Police to discuss operational policing issues in Selby and Councillor Carl Les, Chairman of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel and Diane Parsons, Support to the Police, Fire and Crime Panel to discuss the work of the Panel.    

Chief Inspector Rachel Wood and Inspector Yvonne Taylor provided the following update regarding operational policing in Selby:

·         There would be a change to the staffing arrangements for neighbourhood policing in Selby with Inspector Martin Wedgewood replacing Inspector Ian McNiff. Additionally, it was explained that a refresh of the neighbourhood teams was being considered which would look at how policing could be done in a more effective way. The Committee was informed that it was hoped the new arrangements would be in place from February 2019.

·         There had been a general increase in crime compared to the previous year and it was explained that was linked to the better recording of crime. In terms of specific crimes, there had been a general increase in dwelling burglary however a burglary co-ordinator had been appointed which had made an impact in addressing this issue.

·         There had been numerous operations conducted on inquisitive crime including on cross border crime. It was explained there had also been new rural watch schemes introduced.

·         There had been a 20% reduction in anti-social behaviour in the Selby district. It was noted that there were pockets of anti-social behaviour and work was being done with partners to tackle this issue. The Committee was informed that work was also being done to look at the prevention of crime and to protect those vulnerable from crime.

·         Crime updates for the Selby Inner area included work being done to tackle drug dealing in Selby Town and vehicle offences at the three lakes retail park.

·         With regard to the Selby North area, there had been a small increase in crime in October and November with this believed to be offenders from the West Yorkshire area and specifically relating to the burglary of shops. The Committee was informed that two people had been identified and arrested.

·         In relation to Tadcaster, there had been an increase in crime due to one individual who had mental health issues. The Committee was informed that the local beat officers had completed regular visits in the area and work had been done at looking at the CCTV for the area with the Town Council. Additionally, it was explained that meetings had taken place with rural watch in Appleton Roebuck in terms of working with farmers on joint patrols.

·         With regard to Selby South, there had been incidents of anti-social behaviour in Eggborough and a residents meeting had been held to discuss this where residents had been encouraged to report all incidents to the Police. It was noted that 41 young people had been identified as being involved and letters had been sent the parents of these people. The Chief Inspector explained that the Police had attended  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To receive the 2017-18 annual report of the Director of Public Health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant. Dr Sargeant will be in attendance at the meeting to present his report to Members.

The Chair welcomed Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Director of Public Health for North Yorkshire to the meeting to present the annual report of the Director of Public Health for North Yorkshire.

Dr Sargeant gave a presentation to the Committee on the report and the following points were highlighted:

·         The Committee was shown the areas of depravation in North Yorkshire with the former wards of Selby East and Selby West being highlighted as areas affected in Selby.

·         It was noted that the trend was demonstrating an ageing population across the country. The Director of Public Health highlighted statistics on the life expectancy of males and females including the healthy life expectancy of those in North Yorkshire. Additionally, the Committee was presented with the contribution to the life expectancy gap between the most and least deprived quintiles in North Yorkshire.

·         The Committee was presented with statistics regarding the life expectancy and healthy life expectancy for the highest and lowest areas in Selby.

·         With regard to children living in poverty, the Committee was informed that the latest estimates showed more than 21,000 children were living in poverty after housing costs in North Yorkshire.

·         In terms of engagement for future priorities for public health, the Director of Public Health explained that consultation had taken place with a number of stakeholders and the public. The key themes arising from the consultation exercise were health inequality, mental health, obesity and our ageing population.

·         With regard to inequalities, the Director of Public Health explained that there was inequality between in communities in North Yorkshire and that it was further complication by rurality, housing affordability and fuel poverty.

·         In respect of mental health, the Committee was informed that there had been a steep increase in people experiencing mental illness, mental distress and difficulties for these people to access appropriate services. It was also noted that people with mental health problems, also experienced worse physical health when compared to the general population.

·         The Director of Public Health explained that the three key recommendations arising out of the engagement would be reduce inequalities, improve public mental health and embed public health. The Director of Public Health outlined to the Committee how he would action the recommendations and this included:

o   In respect of reducing inequalities, improving the understanding of the experience of people who had poorer health outcomes to guide delivery and the planning of services.

o   In respect of mental health, work in partnerships with communities and other agencies to implement initiatives that both promote positive mental health and prevent mental ill health.

o   In respect of embedding a public health approach, ensuring greater joint working between sectors to co-ordinate and maximise use of resources to address population health.

The following discussion took place by the Committee:

·         Discussion took place about the budget pressures faced by North Yorkshire County Council and how this was affecting the services provided for young and older people. The Director of Public Health explained that the Council did face budget pressures however had invested  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To consider the report and accompanying presentation which updates the Scrutiny Committee on progress made since a joint presentation to the Policy Review and Scrutiny Committees in February 2017 by the Director of Public Health, North Yorkshire County Council and the Selby District Council Head of Service for Community, Partnerships and Customers.

The Head of Community, Partnerships and Customers introduced the report which asked the Committee to consider the report and accompanying presentation which updated them on progress made since a joint presentation to the Policy Review and Scrutiny Committees in February 2017 by the Director of Public Health, North Yorkshire County Council and the Head of Community, Partnerships and Customers. Kathryn Ingold, Public Health Consultant, North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) was also attendance for this item.

The Head of Community, Partnerships and Customers explained that a successful health conference had been held in 2017 with over 70 key partners present to bring ideas together on health and well-being in Selby District. Additionally, it was explained that a partnership action plan for public health had been created to be actioned over three years.

The Committee was taken through the achievements so far in the action plan, these included a closer working relationship being established with North Yorkshire County Council Public Health partners, a local mental health forum being established which was sector led and a commencement of the review of Community Engagement Forums.

The Head of Community, Partnerships and Customers explained some of the next steps to be taken which included an initiative entitled ‘Selby Health Matters’ led by NYCC Public Health which identified new and current initiatives aligned with the influence of the District Council and a three year focus group identifying NYCC, Selby District Council, third sector and joint delivery roles.

Concern was raised around the lack of provision to assist people with mental health problems. The Head of Community, Partnerships and Customers explained that it was important to understand what the community awareness around the issue was.

Concern was raised that the Yorkshire Ambulance Service had changed the criteria for those needing transport to hospitals and that they were now making further referrals to volunteer drivers who lacked the medical skills that staff in ambulances had. The Public Health Consultant, NYCC explained that the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) were aware of this issue and were also looking at issues such as extending GP hours.

It was agreed that the Vale of York CCG should be invited to a future meeting along with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service to discuss this issue.

RESOLVED:

i)             To note the update on the work being done on health and well-being in the district.

ii)            To invite the Vale of York CCG and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service to a future meeting of the Committee to discuss the issues raised above.

To consider the contents of the report and make any comments on the Council’s financial results and budget exceptions.

The Head of Finance introduced the report which asked the Committee to consider and make any comments on the Council’s financial results and budget exceptions to 30 September 2018.

The Committee was informed that at the end of quarter two, the General Fund was indicating an outturn deficit of £26k which compared to a deficit of £30k in quarter one. It was explained that there were a number of variances against the deficit which includes a shortfall on planning savings, additional investment interest and a shortfall in the housing benefit admin grant.

With regard to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), the Head of Finance explained that this was indicating a surplus of £348k, which was mainly driven by lower external borrowing requirements and housing rents which were anticipated to be lower than the target.

The Committee was informed that the Capital Programme was forecasting an underspend both in the General Fund and the HRA. It was noted that this was due to a number of factors including a significant underspend for Disabled Facilities Grants, slippage on the pointing and roofing schemes and the empty homes programme being unlikely to be fully committed this year.

In response to a query concerning the delay to the empty homes programme, it was acknowledged that obtaining compulsory purchase orders involved a legal process which had to be strictly followed.

An update on the current Programme for Growth was the subject of a separate report on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

                        To note the report.

To consider the contents of the report and make any comments on the Council’s treasury management.

The Head of Finance introduced the report which asked the Committee to consider the contents of the report and make any comments on the Council’s borrowing and investment activity for the period 1 April to 30 September 2018.

The Committee was informed that the Council’s investment over the quarter had an average rate of 0.37% compared to 0.49% in quarter one. With regard to investments, members queried what would be the use of the former NatWest banks in Tadcaster and Selby that the Council had purchased.

RESOLVED:

                        To note the report.