The Chair advised panel members that Councillor Jarvis was recovering from surgery following an emergency appendectomy and asked that they join him in wishing him all the very best for a speedy recovery.

In accordance with the code of conduct, the following declarations of interest were made –

The Panel will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2012.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2012.

There were no items of Chair’s urgent business.

The panel will receive an update in respect of the Culture, Sport and Leisure Programme, including progress with the Leisure Management Contract.

Members received an update on the Culture Sport and Leisure Programme in respect of progress against the following projects –

·         Plymouth Life Centre

·         Leisure Management

·         Plymouth Pavilions

In response to questions raised, Members heard that –

The panel will receive a progress update in respect of Library Modernisation.

The panel received for its information a summary of the results of the survey undertaken in respect of library services modernisation.  Members were advised that over 1,500 users and non-users had been asked for their views on current services and a range of options for future developments.

Concern was expressed at the relevance of some of the questions asked, particularly in regard to a person’s sexual orientation and, whilst it was appreciated that the Council had a duty under the Equalities Act to ask such questions, it would seem to be sensible to explain in the survey why they were being asked.  In addition, it made little sense to ask someone if they were disabled and then not ask for the nature of that disability. 

Agreed that –

(Councillor Jordan declared a personal interest in respect of the above item).

The panel will consider the results of the Tenancy Strategy consultation with a view to making recommendations to Cabinet on 11 December 2012.

The panel received for its consideration a copy of the Tenancy Strategy Consultation document.  Members were advised that Section 150 of the Localism Act 2011, ‘Tenancy Strategies’ requires Local Authorities to produce a tenancy strategy which Registered Housing Providers must have ‘regard to’ in formulating policies that cover:

·         the kind of tenancies granted;

·         circumstances in which particular types of tenancy will be granted;

·         lengths of tenancies granted when these are for a fixed term;

·         circumstances in which a further tenancy may be granted on expiry of an existing tenancy.

The Council’s draft strategy would shortly be available and Members would have the opportunity to discuss/comment on the document via open door drop-in sessions with either Matt Garrett or Kevin Neil, Housing Options Team Leader.

In response to questions raised, the panel heard that –

(Having declared disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of the above item, Councillors Michael Leaves and Ricketts left the meeting).

(Councillor Damarell declared a personal interest in respect of the above item).

The panel will receive for its information an update in respect of the Police and Crime Panel.

The panel received for its information an update on the developments of the Police and Crime Panel for Devon and Cornwall.

Members noted the report and agreed that minutes of the meetings of the Police and Crime Panel be included as a standard information item on future agendas of the Customers and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The panel will receive for its information a copy of the Social Fund Replacement Task and Finish Report.

The panel received for its information a copy of the task and finish group report into Social Fund Replacement.  The Chair took the opportunity to thank all of those involved in the review.

Agreed that -

The panel will consider the a project initiation document submitted in respect of The Compact and the relationship between Plymouth City Council and the Voluntary and Community Sector.

The panel considered the project initiation document submitted in respect of The Compact.  The purpose of the task and finish group was to advise on how the Council’s relationship with the third sector could be further developed, taking into account the principles of a co-operative council.  Councillor Penberthy commented that it was vital for the success of Plymouth that the Council, as a mature local authority, worked in partnership with the community and voluntary sector and that every opportunity to develop relationships should be explored.  He also highlighted that the current contract arrangement would expire on 31 March 2012 and it would therefore be more appropriate for pre-decision scrutiny to be undertaken during December 2012 rather than in April 2013, as scheduled in the panel’s work programme.

Agreed that –

The panel will monitor progress on previous resolutions.

The panel noted its tracking resolutions schedule.

The panel will consider its work programme for 2012/13.

The panel noted its work programme for 2012/13, including that consideration of the Compact and Library Modernisation would now both be undertaken in December 2012.

There were no items of exempt business.