Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of 13 January 2020.

The minutes of the meeting of 13 January 2020 were confirmed and signed.

Members to receive an update on the previous meeting’s Action Plan.

Members were provided with an update on the status of actions raised at previous meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

Councillor Booth suggested that in relation to Action 1, there is still work to be carried out on the formatting of reports.

Councillor Mason stated that in relation to Action 5, the member briefing note is still outstanding.

To receive an update with regard to the emerging Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Health and Wellbeing strategy and consider local priorities for the refreshed Fenland Health and Wellbeing strategy.

Members considered the Health and Wellbeing Strategic priorities report presented by Councillor Mrs Wallwork.

She introduced members to Liz Robin (Director of Public Health) and welcomed her to today’s meeting.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows;

1.    Councillor Purser highlighted the varying types of mental health issues with some being of a very complex nature. He stated that many parents do not have the professional knowledge to detect these issues and early detection is paramount to the appropriate treatment. He asked what provisions and services are available to detect mental health problems and resolve them. Councillor Mrs Wallwork stated that in her professional opinion, family involvement is key to young people’s mental health as usually parents are the first point of delivery of children’s needs. She stated that the services are out there and whilst detection is important, the wider issue is the availability and suitability of these services. She highlighted that currently there is a minimum of 6-8 months waiting time for most mental health services.

2.    Councillor Mrs Wallwork reminded members that whilst the Council do not deliver these services, there are various mental health services and referral routes available for residents including one which works alongside the whole family. She stated that the help is there however the need of these services outweigh their availability due to the growing number of patients.

3.    Councillor Purser asked what assistance is given to individuals whose issues start at home. Councillor Mrs Wallwork confirmed that other services feed into one another. For example, in domestic violence cases the Police automatically feed into the relevant education provider. She stated that further work needs to be taken to engage with individuals that are not flagged up by services, in particular young adult men who have suicidal thoughts do not always engage with the necessary support and further focus needs to be given to this.

4.    Councillor Mason stated that the report contains lots of figures highlighting the health inequalities across Fenland. He asked what progress is being made on improving these figures and what new ideas are being pursued in actions that have not been successful to date. Carol Pilson explained that the Council’s Health & Wellbeing strategy has been developed to support other service partners in tackling these problems. She explained that the report captures the large number of health systems and structures available including the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the new Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and the Council’s role is focused more on prevention work. She stated that the Council can assist via their environmental health, leisure and planning services to contribute support to other health partners to improve these statistics. She added that some of the Council’s most impactful work has been in relation to the ‘Active Fenland’ project as this engages with individuals that face health problems such as obesity and provides an accessible service to them as well as educating them on longer-term solutions.

5.    Councillor Mason stated that neighbouring authorities, such  ...  view the full minutes text for item OSC38/19

The purpose of this report is to set out how the Fenland Community Safety Partnership (referred to as partnership) identifies priorities for Fenland. The report also details an up to date performance picture for 2019/20, and includes the performance report relating to CCTV services for 2019.

Members considered the Fenland Community Safety Partnership priorities report presented by Councillor Mrs Wallwork.

She introduced members to Inspector Ian Lombardo (Cambridgeshire Constabulary) and welcomed him to today’s meeting.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows;

1.    Councillor Miscandlon asked if the Police intend to continue with the community hub interface in Fenland. Inspector Lombardo confirmed that the Police will continue this line of engagement and hope to increase this throughout the coming year. He confirmed that members will shortly be invited to attend a meeting with the Police in relation to this.

2.    Councillor Booth highlighted that the Council had previously attended community meetings in the district’s villages alongside the Police and asked for commitment that the Council would revert back to this process, as over recent months there has been no representation from them. Dan Horn explained that the Council try to consult with residents subject to the resource available and confirmed that the Council work closely with the Police and try to hold community events in town locations which the rural community visit too, such as supermarkets.

3.    Councillor Booth reiterated that these community engagement events are held in the district’s towns and as a result, the villages do not benefit. Councillor Mrs Wallwork explained that the resources are placed in locations with the greatest need however she agreed to review this.

4.    Councillor Miscandlon stated that previously villages had been visited by the Police’s mobile police station and asked if there were plans to reintroduce this. Inspector Lombardo confirmed that this approach is no longer taken however the Police are committed to increased public engagement in locations across the district.

5.    Councillor Wicks asked what the Police’s timeline is for improving the online reporting facility for criminal intelligence. Inspector Lombardo confirmed that work is ongoing in improving this service and members will be kept updated with the progress of this.

6.    Councillor Wicks stated that previously Trading Standard’s Little Book of Scams was available for residents and asked if this it still being circulated. Inspector Lombardo explained that this information is available online and work has been undertaken to engage with the older generation at community events to ensure the information reaches them. Councillor Mrs Wallwork confirmed that a small number of printed versions are still available but agreed to circulate the web link to members.

7.    Councillor Hay referenced minute OSC40/18 and asked if the analysis of women offender’s in Fenland had taken place yet. Councillor Mrs Wallwork explained that following a higher priority demand placed upon the Police and as a result of the introduction of a new multi-functional recording application, this analysis had not been completed. She confirmed that the partnership had discussed this work at the recent January 2020 meeting and agreed that the introduction of ‘Essentials by Sue’ (page 53 of the agenda pack) will reduce female offending in Fenland. She assured members that the level of female offending in Fenland was not significantly above the national average.  ...  view the full minutes text for item OSC39/19

This report sets out the Council's progress in delivering the corporate objectives from April 2019 to December 2019.  This is to ensure that members have the most up to date information possible.

Members considered the Progress in Delivering the Environment Corporate Objectives 2019-2020 report.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows;

1.    Councillor Miscandlon asked for further information on the priorities and future initiatives contained within the report. Councillor Tierney explained that there a number of upcoming initiatives including delivery of the Wisbech High Street project, the National Waste and Resources Strategy, implementation of the Council’s new environmental enforcement service and the delivery of the FCSP Action Plan.

2.    Councillor Hay asked if the Council are still on target to maximise the National Lottery Heritage Funding for the 11-12 High Street, Wisbech project. Councillor Seaton confirmed that the project is on target and the developer is fully on board. He confirmed that the fund deadline is January 2021 however if required, the Council may be able to seek a small extension of time.

3.    Councillor Booth referenced page 112 of the report and the assessment that the Council’s street lighting contract is performing ‘exceptionally well’. He asked what consultation had taken place to obtain this feedback. Carol Pilson explained that the service is performing well from a contract management point of view. Councillor Mrs French explained that further information on this would be provided to members at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 20 February 2020.

4.    Councillor Booth stated that it must be clear in reports if statistics are the opinion of officer’s or service users.

5.    Councillor Booth asked that in future, the report contains the service level performance of the street lighting contract and should include feedback from service users.

6.    Councillor Hay asked for an update on the environmental enforcement service in light of the Council’s contract with Kingdom ending. Councillor Murphy explained that the Council are currently considering the options available to them and members will be kept updated.

7.    Councillor Tierney assured members that cover is currently being provided by the Council’s street scene officers alongside their existing work.

8.    Councillor Hay asked for a timescale of the replacement service. Councillor Murphy confirmed that the Council hope to have a new service in place within the next 3-4 months.

9.    Councillor Mason asked what questions will be included as part of the customer satisfaction survey referenced on page 131 of the report. Councillor Tierney confirmed that the survey is available to view on the Council’s website.

10.Councillor Mason asked what the Council’s approach is towards the disposal of food waste. Councillor Murphy confirmed that this information is contained within the survey and literature available on the website too. He added that the disposal of food waste is a priority of central government who are developing a waste and resources strategy. He confirmed that in Fenland, food waste must be placed in the residual bin.

11.Councillor Cornwell stated that he had heard reports that rural littering and graffiti have increased over the winter months. Councillor Murphy confirmed that there had been issues with graffiti in March recently however these had been reported  ...  view the full minutes text for item OSC40/19

To consider the Cabinet decision in relation to the Creation of Investment Board and Delegation of Functions, further to the provisions of the ‘call in’ process contained within section 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

Councillor Booth explained that he had exercised the right to call-in this Cabinet decision due to his concerns surrounding the accountability and governance arrangements of the proposed Investment Board. He explained that the governance arrangements propose a quorate of only two members with one non-voting officer in attendance. He highlighted that in instances where there is not a unanimous decision the Leader will be able to exercise his casting vote as chairman of the board. Councillor Booth stated that this is not democratically appropriate and he recommends that membership to the Investment Board is increased which will both reduce the burden for board members and increase member involvement in the decision making process.

Councillor Boden thanked Councillor Booth for his feedback and agreed that it was highly appropriate to call-in this item for consideration due to its importance. Councillor Boden assured members that whilst the arrangements allow the provision of a chairman’s casting vote, where required it will only be used in decisions which will restrict the Investment Board as oppose to empowering them. He confirmed to members that he plans to produce a code for the use of the chairman’s casting vote and will keep them updated on this matter.

Councillor Booth thanked Councillor Boden for his explanation but reiterated that the current arrangements do not include the proposed mechanism and therefore his concern still stands. Councillor Boden reminded members that the Investment Board is a sub-committee of Cabinet therefore it is unlikely that a unanimous decision will not be reached during decision making. He offered members assurance that he will consider these comments at the earliest opportunity. Councillor Booth welcomed this.

Councillor Booth asked for clarification that non-board members will be prevented from attending meetings of the Investment Board and will be unable to exercise their ‘right to speak’. Councillor Boden explained that as the Investment Board is a sub-committee of Cabinet, members will have plenty of opportunities to challenge and discuss proposed decisions. He highlighted that holding public meetings of the Investment Board would be inappropriate due to the sensitivity and confidential nature of some of the commercial decisions but the Investment Board welcome members input and scrutiny in the decision making process.

Councillor Hay reminded members that the Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Panel will be invited to attend meetings of the Investment Board and will therefore have an oversight of the process. Councillor Boden confirmed this.

Councillor Mason asked what research had been carried out in relation to the Commercial Investment Strategy (CIS) and associated boards. Peter Catchpole explained that a lot of evidence had been sought from other local authorities and he benefits from knowledge of this area, as he was previously appointed non-executive director of a LATCO in his previous role. He highlighted that the Council have considered investment models from authorities such as the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, Peterborough City Council and South Norfolk Council and received guidance from Lawyers in Local Government (LMG).

Councillor Wicks recommended that  ...  view the full minutes text for item OSC41/19

To consider the Draft Work Programme for Overview & Scrutiny Panel 2019/20.

Members agreed the Future Work Programme subject to the following comments;

1.    Members requested that future meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel commence at an earlier time of 1.30pm.