Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Sood, Assistant Mayor (Community Involvement, Partnerships and Equalities) as, although not a member of the Commission, she normally attended its meetings.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

Councillor Dr Chowdhury declared an Other Disclosable Interest in relation to agenda item 6, “Transforming Neighbourhood Services Programme – West Area”, in that he worked in the voluntary sector.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, this interest was not considered so significant that it was likely to prejudice Councillor Dr Chowdhury’s judgement of the public interest.  He was not, therefore, required to withdraw from the meeting.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Neighbourhood Services and Community Involvement Scrutiny Committee held on 30 June 2014 have been circulated, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the minutes of the meeting of the Neighbourhood Services and Community Involvement Scrutiny Commission held on 30 June 2014 be approved as a correct record; and

2)    That in future the minutes of the previous meeting be circulated with each agenda.

The Monitoring Officer will report on the receipt of any petitions submitted in accordance with the council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no petitions had been received.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no questions, representations or statements of case had been received.

Members of the commission will receive a presentation on ‘Pass It On’ – Leicester’s Reuse Service. A copy of the presentation is attached in Appendix A.

The Commission received a presentation giving an update on progress with the Pass It On scheme, a copy of which had been circulated with the agenda. 

The Assistant Mayor (Neighbourhood Services) drew particular attention to the following points:-

·           Community Support Grant initially had been awarded for two years for this scheme.  Funding for the scheme had subsequently been included in the Council’s revenue grants;

·           The Council wanted to find ways in which to continue to support the most vulnerable residents and this scheme was one element of this work;

·           The offers made under the scheme were of items that were more than the basics, but would help make a place feel more like a home;

·           Most goods offered were pre-used, but mattresses were always bought new;

·           If other sources of help were more appropriate for callers, they were diverted to those sources;

·           The scheme also helped people to stay in their homes, (for example, by providing higher chairs for people with mobility problems);

·           Donations to the scheme were collected separately to bulk waste collections;

·           It was hoped that a catalogue of items could be made available to successful applicants to the scheme in the future, rather than just providing a description of items over the telephone as at present;

·           Getting items to applicants quickly could help establish a tenancy quickly; and

·           It was hoped that the proposed new waste recycling centre would have a shop facility, run by a third sector partner.  This possibly could work with the Pass It On scheme once established.

The Commission warmly welcomed the news of the success so far of the scheme, noting that a similar scheme called The Vine, operated in Fosse Ward.  Details of this would be passed on to the Assistant Mayor (Neighbourhood Services).

The Director of Culture and Neighbourhood Services submits a report that provides an update on the Transforming Neighbourhood Services (TNS) programme and the engagement work that has been carried out in the West Area of the city.  The report also sets out the proposals that the City Mayor and Executive are minded to implement in relation to the West Area of the city.  The Scrutiny Commission is invited to note the progress made to date and invited to comment on the proposals made in relation to the West Area prior to confirmation of an Executive decision.

The Director of Culture and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report updating the Commission on the Transforming Neighbourhood Services (TNS) programme and setting out the proposals that the City Mayor and Executive were considering implementing in relation to the West Area of the city.  The Chair reminded the Commission that this was Phase 2 of the Programme.

The Assistant Mayor (Neighbourhood Services) explained that efforts had been made to learn from the first phase of the programme, including letting people know as early as possible in the process what options were available and what each involved.  Consequently, at the start of the process, questionnaires were made available on-line and at buildings in the Wards affected, (Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields, Fosse, Westcotes, and Western Park).  The importance of buildings just outside each area was recognised, so questionnaires also were placed in these buildings.

In addition to actively encouraging people to fill in the questionnaires, the Council hosted separate focus groups for people from different demographic groups.  The proposals drawn up therefore reflected the views expressed through the questionnaires and the focus groups, but also had to take in to account the Council’s need to meet its savings target of a 30% reduction in costs.

The Assistant Mayor then drew attention to the following points:-

·           The Leicester Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL) had taken over the running of the West End Community Centre.  The Centre remained in the ownership of the Council and continued to be used as a community centre.  However, established income from groups using the centre was enabling LCIL to expand the range of services being offered;

·           Libraries would have an increased importance in the future, especially in relation to the aim to improve digital inclusion;

·           The Winstanley Centre had for some time been solely used by a local dance group.  It therefore was proposed to consider options for community asset transfer of this Centre by way of a lease;

·           Newfoundpool Community Centre and the Oak Centre were well used in the evening, but had limited use during the day.  It therefore was suggested that community sector providers should be sought to take over the running of these facilities, through community asset transfer;

·           If there were not community groups interested in taking over the running of Cort Crescent Community Centre, it was suggested that the building could be demolished and the site used for other purposes, such as the provision of affordable housing;

·           Assurances would be sought from any organisation taking on the running of Braunstone Grove Youth Centre and the Braunstone Oak Community Centre that youth provision would continue;

·           It was recognised that transport links between north and south Braunstone were not good.  Community centre provision already existed in the south of the area, so consideration was being given to what could be provided in the northern part of that area;

·           Manor House was a Building of Local Interest.  However, it was expensive to run, due to the age of the building, and its upper floor was not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

The Scrutiny Commission is asked to note the Chair’s observations on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Commissioning Plan. The plan is attached, along with the Chair’s response and a response from the Deputy City Mayor and some of the Assistant City Mayors.

RESOLVED:

That the following be noted:-

a)    The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Commissioning Plan;

b)    The Chair’s observations on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Commissioning Plan; and

c)    A response from the Deputy City Mayor and some of the Assistant Mayors.

The scrutiny commission’s work programme is attached for Members’ consideration and comment.

RESOLVED:

1)    That in future details of already considered by the Commission be removed from the work programme;

2)    That an item on welfare reform be included in the work programme for October 2014; and

3)    That the Scrutiny Support Officer be asked to update the Commission’s work programme as above.

The meeting closed at 7.22 pm