Agenda and minutes

Drake, Efford & Lipson and Sutton & Mount Gould Area Committee - Thursday 18 March 2010 6.00 pm

Venue: St Paul's Church, Efford Lane, Efford, Plymouth, PL3 6JG

Contact: Ross Jago, Democratic Support Officer Email: ross.jago@plymouth.gov.uk

Items

No.

Item

51.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest in accordance with the code of conduct.

52.

MINUTES PDF 31 KB

The Committee will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2010.

Please note any questions relating to these minutes can be asked under question time for members of the public.

Minutes:

It was reported by Councillor Vincent that he had not yet received any contact from the Highways Department regarding parking issues at Salcombe Road and the surrounding area.

Resolved that -

(1) the minutes of the 21 January 2010 be approved as a correct record;

(2) that the Democratic Support Officer write a letter to the Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance expressing the Committees disappointment at the lack of contact from Council Officers.

53.

CHAIR'S URGENT BUSINESS

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

Minutes:

The Chair thanked Councillor Claude Miller MBE for his work within the area and wished him well in his retirement.

As the meeting was the last Area Committee, the Chair and Councillors on the committee thanked the co-opted representatives for their attendance and dedication to their communities.

54.

POLICING ISSUES AND POLICE AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER (PACT) PRIORITIES

Representatives from the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary will report on any relevant local issues.

Minutes:

This agenda item was taken alongside agenda item 6, Locality working. Please refer to minute no. 55.

55.

LOCALITY WORKING PDF 155 KB

The panel will receive a report from the Assistant Director for Safer Communities on the future of locality working.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report from the Assistant Director for Safer Communities and Devon and Cornwall Police Representatives on the future of locality working. It was reported that –

(i) a decision was made by a resolution of full council to discontinue area committees;

(ii) in their place six ‘Localities’ had been identified within Plymouth. Services can be organised around consistent boundaries. Each Locality would consist of a number of Plymouth’s 43 Neighbourhoods based on well-established natural boundaries, recognised by local people;

(iii) Locality Service Co-ordination Teams would be set up, involving practitioners from partner agencies;

(iv) consultation would be joined up at the local level and the Council would work more closely with the Police in these areas;

(v) Locality Service Co-ordination Teams would involve ward councillors, working with Police and Health Sector partners. To help identify priorities, Councillors would be invited to attend neighbourhood Partners & Communities Together (PACT) meetings;

(vi) previous PACT meetings had been limited in their terms of reference. The Police would with the council to increase PACT effectiveness;

(vii) there would be a meeting closed to the public, where ward councillors, council officers, police officers, community representatives and other agencies would be able to make decisions about the local area. The meeting would be followed by a public forum where residents could raise concerns. Discussions were ongoing on how to formalise the process but neighbourhood structures would not be imposed.

The Chair opened the meeting to the members of public present, in response to their questions it was reported that –

(viii) the parking problems at Salcombe Road were a good example of a local issue which could be taken on by a locality team to move forward;

(ix) Salcombe Road and the surrounding area had been identified as a priority tasking for the local police sector, not only for parking issues but also for issues around anti-social behaviour.

In response to questions from members of the committee, it was further reported that –

(x) closed meetings are being considered as it was often difficult to make a decision in and difficult to get other agencies to attend an open forum;

(xi) Police authority liaison meetings would continue;

(xii) there would be an officer at Assistant Director level who would be the contact for that neighbourhood

(xiii) neighbourhoods would make the decisions on what structures they would like to have in their area;

(xiv) a senior locality team member would Chair local meetings;

(xv) Police and Council officers had not met to discuss how local meetings would work;

(xvi) the way in which meetings would be conducted across the 43 neighbourhoods would not be dictated. If it was decided in an area that the recording of meetings and published minutes were required then that would happen.

There was a general concern expressed that localities would not work effectively, concerns were raised regarding-

(xvii) the role of the Ward member in relation to the localities team;

(xviii) the perceived democratic deficit and lack of ... view the full minutes text for item 55.

56.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

The Committee and Officers will respond to questions from members of the public attending the Committee. Any question not answered shall be the subject of a written response within ten working days.

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public.

57.

EXEMPT BUSINESS

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(s) 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.

Minutes:

There were no items of exempt business.