Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no interests declared at this meeting.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 28 February 2020.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 28 February 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

The Overview and Scrutiny Manager detailed a number of key points in relation to Scrutiny at North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC).  Members were provided with the Terms of Reference for the Organisation Scrutiny Committee, Growth Scrutiny Committee, Communities Scrutiny Committee, and the Audit and Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee.

Members were reminded that the Committees’ Terms of Reference provided the basis for the Committees’ remit. The Committee noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Manager was responsible for three Scrutiny Committees at the Council, and that on some occasions, particular issues could fall within the functions of two or more Scrutiny Committees.  It was stated that at this point, it would be up to the Chairs’ to decide which Committee would be best suited to review that particular topic. 

Members were reminded that Scrutiny was a mechanism in which Council performance could be monitored.  That included monitoring performance, monitoring action plans, being alert to service information, and monitoring Cabinet decisions.

The Committee heard that following a Scrutiny Review it could make a series of recommendations to Cabinet.   It was advised, however, that Scrutiny could not make decisions or policies.

Members heard that the Work Programme was not a set document, but a work in progress.  The Overview and Scrutiny Manager explained that it was usual practice for the Committee to choose a review topic, which would form the basis of the Work Programme.  This would usually be an in depth review, and evidence would be gathered for the majority of the Municipal Year.  There was however, also the option for spotlight reviews.

To consider the work of the Partnership for the year against the Partnership Plan.

The Committee welcomed the Community Safety Manager, the Joint Director of Environment and Enforcement, and Sgt Wilson from Derbyshire Constabulary to provide an update on the Community Safety Partnership. The Committee noted the statutory requirements that surround Community Safety.

Members received a presentation from the Community Safety Manager which outlined the North East Derbyshire Community Safety Partnership. The Committee heard about crime and anti-social behaviour in the District, including theft, public disorder, domestic abuse, hate crime and violence. The officer also detailed numerous actions the Authority was taking to prevent crime within the District. This included anti-social behaviour interventions, CCTV, and partnerships with the Police, Rykneld Homes, and charities to identify victims and perpetrators. The Committee was also informed of the impact the Coronavirus Pandemic has had on crime rates in the District. For example public disorder offences had increased, whilst shoplifting had decreased.  

Sgt Wilson from Derbyshire Constabulary explained that the Police worked very closely with housing providers and community safety partnerships. Members noted that the Police sought to deliver the ‘three pillars of policing’ – community engagement, crime prevention, and long term problem solving. Sgt Wilson also informed the Committee of the approach the police was taking to crime in the District, and the changing nature of it in light of the Pandemic.

Jonathon Butt – Derbyshire County Council (DDC) updated the Committee on the input DCC was having on the Community Safety Partnership.  Members heard about the work being done to prevent serious and organised crime, including County Lines, and the serious violence strategy. The Committee noted that these were both being driven by Central Government. The officer also discussed various consultations and strategies the County Council was engaging with to prevent crime. 

The Committee discussed anti-social behaviour and the ‘hotspots’ in the District that were of concern to the Council and residents. Members also enquired about the Council’s partnership with Rykneld Homes, and how tenants who engaged in alleged anti-social behaviour were dealt with. This included tenancy warnings, and in serious situations, evictions.

Members expressed concern in regards to the small rise in domestic violence, and assurances and clarity was provided by Sgt Wilson in terms of how complaints were handled and investigated by the Police. The Committee also enquired about the easing of lockdown restrictions, and the affect this could have on crime in the District.

The Committee thanked the Community Safety Manager, the Joint Director of Environment and Enforcement, Jonathon Butt – Derbyshire County Council, and Sgt Wilson from Derbyshire Constabulary for attending the meeting.

The officers then left the meeting.

To discuss and select a topic for the Committee’s Scrutiny Review. (Please fill in the attached sheet if you have any suggestions which we can discuss at the meeting).

The Committee had a wide ranging discussion on potential Scrutiny Review topics for the municipal year. It was agreed that the Review should focus on the mental and physical health of the District’s younger residents. Members expressed concern in regards to the impact of the lockdown, in particular, how the closure of schools and leisure facilities, and youth services in general had impacted younger people.

Members also agreed to Review childhood obesity, and that this would be scoped at the next meeting.

To consider the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions – 15 May 2020 to 15 June 2020.

AGREED – That the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions – 15 May 2020 to 15 June 2020 be noted.

To consider the Work Programme for the Communities Scrutiny Committee 2020/2021.

AGREED – That the Scrutiny Work Programme 2020/21 be noted.

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items to be discussed at the meeting.

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee will be held on Friday, 7 August 2020 at 1.30 pm.

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee will be held on Friday, 7 August 2020 at 1.30 pm.