Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - County Hall. View directions

Contact: Wyn Richards, Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services  Email: wyn.richards@powys.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors L. George, J. Gibson-Watt, P. Pritchard, D. Selby, M. Barnes and from County Councillor J. Evans (Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Housing and Regulatory Services)

2.

Minutes of Previous Meetings pdf icon PDF 161 KB

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the previous meeting(s) held as follows as a correct record:

14 October, 2019

Minutes:

The Committee noted that an apology from County Councillor K. Curry had not been included in the minutes of the previous meeting.

 

Subject to the addition of Councillor Curry’s apology, the Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 October, 2019 as a correct record.

3.

Declaration of Party Whips

To receive disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

 

(NB: Members are reminded that under Section 78 Members having been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on a matter before the Committee.)

Minutes:

There were no declaration of party whips in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

4.

Disclosures of Interest

Any disclose of interests by Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting.

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interest from Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting.

5.

Crime and Disorder pdf icon PDF 321 KB

To receive and consider the report of the Community Safety Partnership Co-ordinator.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of the Community Safety Partnership Co-ordinator. (Copy filed with signed minutes)

 

The Safer Communities Programme – The Welsh Government’s Programme had been established in 2017 which was a vision for community safety in Wales and was supported by six key principles and 11 commitments. The programme was being taken forward by a multi-agency programme board with a number of workstreams. However little had come out of the programme to date which directly affected the Community Safety Partnership.

 

Commission for Justice in Wales Report – This was essentially about the devolution of criminal justice from Westminster to Welsh Government which was published in October 2019.

 

Question / Comment: Cautions for youngsters which was raised with the Police and Crime Commissioner previously – are there any changes proposed to reduce the number issued?

Response: These reports are more about strategic issues. The changes to the criminal justice system are very aspirational.

 

Question / Comment: Is there a way the Committee can make representations regarding cautions?

Response: The Committee was reminded that the election of the Police and Crime Commissioner would be held in 2020, so it was uncertain what could be achieved prior to that. The Community Safety Co-ordinator suggested that she and the Member prepared a submission to send to the Police and Crime Commissioner for consideration.

 

Question / Comment: The Council needs to promote a safe cycling campaign, similar to the “Be Seen” scheme, so that cyclists are visible and have correct lighting on bikes.

Response: All the Council can do is to advise and educate the public, as it cannot force individuals to comply.

 

Question / Comment: Why cannot the Council reuse the “Be Seen” campaign? What about Council staff? Could there not be a communications campaign for staff that cycle to work

 

Question / Comment: With the issue of substance misuse in schools, is there more the Council can do to deter people?

Response: Crime and disorder is not devolved in Wales, and action on substance misuse is dealt with as a public health issue. The Council has commissioned two organisations to deal with substance misuse (Kaleidescope for Adults and Cais for Young People). Cais do go into schools along with Police schools liaison officers. The Community Safety Partnership is doing as much as it can in relation to preventative work. More work has also been going on especially due to “county lines”. The Partnership will consider doing more where there is a specific action that it can undertake.

 

Question / Comment: With regard to “county lines” and the Home Office’s Serious Crime Strategy, how effective is this?

Response: The strategy was launched this year. There is a regional group responsible for the strategy which is a multi agency group, and in addition there are local groups in the county. There are seven serious organised crime groups operating in Powys, but these are low level groups, as groups supplying drugs in Powys have been the subject of action by the police. Police  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Prosecution Enforcement Policy pdf icon PDF 241 KB

To consider for pre-Cabinet Scrutiny the report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Housing and Regulatory Services.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received the draft Prosecution Enforcement Policy for pre-Cabinet Scrutiny. (Copy filed with signed minutes)

 

This was an update to the policy which provided the framework for enforcement to ensure that the Council is fair and proportionate in its enforcement activity. It was confirmed that the policy would meet the National Enforcement Priorities for Wales, the Principles of Good Regulation and the golden rules for guidance on Regulation.

 

In addition, a separate policy on proceeds of crime has been included within the policy framework which is a standard policy used across the UK. The principles of enforcement is bringing people to compliance, making people trade well and stopping serious breaches.

 

Question / Comment: Whilst prosecutions are taken in the public interest, are they also based on cost effectiveness?

Response: The Council is under a duty to enforce legislation. The policy covers evidence and whether a case can be won. Operation Gleam was a landmark case and Powys have secured proceeds of crime monies of around £180k. However the Council does not just prosecute cases where it can secure such monies, but it is about taking out criminal gangs and the money they have gained illegally.

 

Question / Comment: Is the Council spending excessive amounts of money on prosecutions?

Response: The Council has no choice but to pursue prosecutions in order to stop criminality. It also has to assess the level of criminality and there may be funding sources to assist the Council to undertake prosecutions and in other cases the Council may hand the case to others to take forward.

 

Question / Comment: Powys should not be footing the bill for large cases and we should seek to be working with partners.

Response: The Council does seek to use partners where possible.

 

Outcomes:

The Committee had no comment to make on the draft policy.

 

7.

Food Justice pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Arising from the Motion which was considered by Full Council on 11th July, 2019, to consider the terms of reference for the review which Full Council has asked the Committee to undertake as to how to take this motion forward.

 

A copy of the Motion considered by the Council is attached for information.

Minutes:

The Committee noted the Motion which had been considered by the Council at its meeting on 11 July, 2019. The Committee was asked how to take the motion forward.

 

It was suggested that work would need to be undertaken to assess the extent of the issue in Powys and would need to involve partners in the third sector, food banks and community groups. The Working Group established to consider this issue should involve County Councillor Joy Jones who had been appointed by Full Council to be the lead member to deliver food justice in view of her role as Poverty Champion.

 

Outcomes:

(i)         That a Working Group be established comprising County Councillor M. Dorrance, J. Jones and 3 other Members to assess the scale of the food poverty issue in Powys.

(ii)        That the Committee and non-scrutiny Members be cavassed for expressions of interest to join the Working Group.

8.

Working Group Recommendations

To receive the recommendations of the following Working Groups together with the responses of the Cabinet:

Minutes:

The Committee noted that there were no reports from Working Groups for consideration.

9.

Scrutiny Work Programme pdf icon PDF 128 KB

To receive a copy of the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme and to make any suggestions for items to be added or deleted for consideration by the Co-ordinating Committee.

Minutes:

The Committee received a copy of the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme. (Copy filed with signed Minutes)

 

HOWPS Working Group – the Committee noted that the information required for consideration by the Working Group was delayed. The Chair agreed to raise this with the Corporate Director, Environment and Economy.

 

Y Gaer – The Committee expressed concern that the revised business case had not been considered by scrutiny prior to the agreement being completed. An updated position would be sought from the Head of Service.

 

Car Parking Charges Working Group – the Scrutiny Manager reported that information has been sought. Councillor I McIntosh who raised the issue originally agreed to contact the Head of Service to pursue this matter.

 

Outcomes:

(i)         HOWPS Working Group - Chair to raise this with the Corporate Director, Environment and Economy

(ii)        Y Gaer - An updated position to be sought from the Head of Service

(iii)       Car Parking Charges Working Group - Councillor I McIntosh to contact the Head of Service regarding the provision of information.