Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, the following declaration of interest was made –

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 4 November 2013.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2014, subject to Minute 24 – Personal Debt – being amended to reflect that there were 8.8 million people in debt and not 8 million, as recorded.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

There were no items of Chair’s urgent business.

To review the Your Plymouth work programme 2013 – 2014 whilst having regard to possible matters for consideration during 2014 – 2015 (Transformation Programme).

The panel considered its work programme with a view to identifying items to carry forward to the 2014/15 municipal year, bearing in mind the requirement to also scrutinise the Council’s Transformation Programme.  With regard to the Transformation Programme, the Chair reported that there may be a an additional meeting of panels in April in order to brief members on the individual business plans and outline how the scrutiny process would be undertaken.  Members were advised that the focus for Your Plymouth would be Customer and Service Transformation. 

A concern was raised that there appeared to be duplication in the budget in terms of funding identified for Transformation with two separate budget line headings; one referring to Transformational Change and the other to Reshaping Council Services. As there was no detail provided against each of the budget headings it was difficult to ascertain exactly what each was for.   

Agreed that –

The panel will receive an update in respect of Tree Management, particularly in relation to the Tree Management Strategy submitted to its last meeting and to concerns raised over ownership issues.  A copy of the response to questions raised by Members at the last meeting is also attached for information.

The panel heard from Gareth Harrison-Poole, Waste and Street Scene Development Manager, who was in attendance to update members on progress with establishment of a Tree Management Policy for the City.  Members were advised that –

In response to further questions raised, Members heard that –

Members welcomed and supported the Tree Management Policy and, on behalf of the panel, the Chair thanked the officer for his attendance and a well-written, easy-to-read report.

The panel will receive an update in respect of the Emergency Welfare Support Fund.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Cooperatives and Community Development, and Ann Thorpe, Service Manager, who were in attendance to provide an update on progress with delivery of the Emergency and Welfare Fund (EWF) following its implementation in April 2013.  Highlights of the report included –

·         because of the lack of information available from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about allocations made under the previous scheme,  it had been difficult to predict demand for the EWF and this had therefore resulted in the scheme being limited in terms of the scope and level of award;

·         better promotion of the scheme had been undertaken with staff working closely with colleagues internally and partners externally to target those likely to be in need of support, this including working with Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) to promote switching to cheaper energy providers;

·         a series of measures funded from the EWF had been agreed by Councillor Penberthy; 

·         customers were now provided with payments by BACS in order to secure white goods for themselves;

·         10,710 calls had been received since April 2013 with a significant increase since September;

·         despite a slow take-up, spend projections indicated that the 2013/14 budget was now on track to be fully allocated.

In response to questions raised, Members were advised that –

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

The Panel to note the report arising from the Unauthorised Encampment Cooperative Review prior to its submission to the Cooperative Scrutiny Board.

The Chair reported on the cooperative review into Unauthorised Encampments.  He commented that it had been a difficult and emotive topic to cover, taking into consideration the concerns and expectations of the City’s residents and balancing those against the needs and rights of gypsies and travellers to be treated with dignity and respect.  He thanked everyone who had been involved in the scrutiny process, particularly the officers involved in producing the final report which he described as constructive and well written. 

Members noted the report which would now be submitted for consideration by the Cooperative Scrutiny Board.

The panel to review and monitor the progress of tracking resolutions and receive any relevant feedback from the Cooperative Scrutiny Board.

Further to minute 35, the Chair welcomed approval of the review into Personal Debt by the Cooperative Scrutiny Board.  He reported on his recent attendance at a debt summit where he had been astounded by some of the figures quoted and learned that some people often wait 12 months or more before seeking help.  Members also heard that a report, which had been produced by the Debt Advice Service and published just after Christmas 2013, revealed that 29 per cent of adults in Plymouth were in debt. 

The Chair explained that he had requested the review be webcast in order to try and get the message across that debt, and asking for help to address debt problems, was not something people should feel ashamed of.  However, should this deter people from getting involved, consideration would be given to taking elements of the review in private session (Part 2). 

The Vice-Chair highlighted the importance of ensuring the review was well-publicised before it started. 

The panel noted its tracking resolutions schedule and, as this was the last meeting of 2013/14, the Chair thanked members for their contribution to scrutiny and stated that he looked forward to working with them in 2014/15.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s)   of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

There were no items of exempt business.