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

The following declarations of interest were made in accordance with the Code of Conduct in relation to the item under discussion –

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.

Members will note the Project Initiation Document setting out the scope of this  review and receive for information a copy of the report arising from the last review.

The scope and background to the review were noted.

The Assistant Director for Safer Communities will provide an introduction to the Localities and Neighbourhood Working Task and Finish Group.

By way of an introduction to the Task and Finish Group and, as a means of ‘setting the scene’, Members received a presentation from Pete Aley, Assistant Director for Safer Communities.  The presentation –

·        set out the objectives of Localities and Neighbourhood Working

·        provided details on the current situation and performance so far

·        highlighted some success stories

·        identified issues to be addressed and possible areas for change

Members will have the opportunity to question representatives of council service areas, community groups, partner agencies, councillors and members of the public in relation to their views on locality and neighbourhood working.

The Task and Finish Group heard from a number of witnesses on how locality working had progressed since its introduction in 2009. 

Members will review the day’s findings.

The full report and recommendations relating to the Task and Finish Group’s scrutiny of Localities and Neighbourhood Working are attached as an appendix to these minutes.  This report will be submitted to the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board for consideration on 27 July 2011.  

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.

There were no items of exempt business.