Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2005 were taken as read, confirmed and signed as a correct record, subject to the following resolution being added to Minute 30.

“d)       That officers be asked to submit a report to a future meeting on the processes for decision making and consultation with members and other stakeholders prior to a decision being taken to externalise a service.”

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no urgent items for consideration.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of the Party Whip.

The Chief Executive reported that there were no petitions to be presented.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning the development of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) and seeking its views on the Agreement prior to the final draft being submitted.  A copy of the report marked ‘B’ is filed with these minutes.

In response to questions the Commission was advised that:

(i)         consultation was currently underway on the list of settlements which would be included in the Economic Development and Enterprise block.  This list would determine the market towns, urban areas and village centres to benefit from regeneration activity;

(ii)        the priority neighbourhoods identified under Outcome 7 on page 14 were the same as those shown on Appendix 5.  These areas would qualify for additional funding from a number of the LAA priority blocks;

(iii)       there was still uncertainty at the level of funding that would be available particularly in relation to the Safer Communities block.  The working assumption had been that the level of funding available would be broadly in line with the resources currently available to the District based Crime Reduction Partnerships.  This being the case, the level of resources available for investment would be limited;

(iv)       mechanisms had been put in place to ensure that expenditure and progress against targets could be monitored.  Further work needed to be done to establish a clearer framework for member involvement and Scrutiny, recognising the complex governance arrangements for implementation;

(v)        the determination of the level of ‘stretch’ was done in consultation with the Government Office.  Officers were reasonably confident that the ‘stretch targets’, whilst challenging, would be achievable.

RESOLVED:

That a report be submitted to the Commission in October/November outlining progress against the targets and commitments in the LAA.

The Commission considered a report of the Scrutiny Review Panel established to examine Community Safety activities and in particular strategies for tackling antisocial behaviour.  A copy of the report marked ‘C’ is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel set out in paragraph 12 of the report be supported;

(b)       That the recommendations of the Panel be forwarded to the Cabinet and other partners as appropriate;

(c)        That the findings of the Panel be drawn to the attention of the County Council.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning the Community Safety Plan.  A copy of the report marked ‘D’ is filed with these minutes.

In response to questions the Commission was advised that:

(i)         a detailed Domestic Violence Strategy was being developed and the provision of safehouses or refuges for women who had been abused would be explored;

(ii)        ‘smart’ targets would be incorporated into the Plan once the negotiation on the LAA had been completed;

(iii)       the Corporate Community Safety Group would be looking at how the Community Safety issues could be mainstreamed in accordance with the requirements of Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.  To that end the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel would be of assistance.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet be asked to have regard to the relevant recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel on Community Safety and incorporate these into the Plan.

The next meeting of the Commission will be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 1^st February 2006.

It was noted that the next meeting would be held at 2.00 pm. on Wednesday 1 February 2006.

18 January 2006                                                                                   CHAIRMAN

2.00 pm – 3.10 pm