Agenda and minutes

To note the names of apologies given and deputy members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed members.

Apologies for the meeting were noted as above.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note:  Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.      

If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.

Councillor Hiscock declared a non-pecuniary interest concerning items upon the agenda that may be related to his role as a County Councillor.

There were no announcements.

That the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 2^nd February 2021 be approved and adopted.

To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on matters which fall within the remit of the Committee.

Members of the public and visiting councillors may speak at Scrutiny, provided they have registered to speak three working days in advance. Please contact Democratic Services by 5pm on 5^th March 2021 via democracy@winchester.gov.uk or (01962) 848 264 to register to speak and for further details.

No comments or questions were made during public participation.

Report Reference SC043

Scrutiny report reference SC043

The Cabinet Member for the Built Environment and Wellbeing introduced the report and provided an overview of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), its priorities and the key areas of activity for the previous period.

Chief Inspector Jon Turton addressed the committee and presented a summary of the current crime data as detailed in appendix 2 of the report. The data showed an overall reduction in crime of 30% and Chief Inspector Turton discussed several issues including county lines crime, hotel watch scheme, domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour and compliance with COVID-19 regulations.

The committee asked a range of questions which included; theft of dogs, knife crime, operation monument, fly-tipping, officer availability, safe at home initiative, catalytic convertor thefts, police and community crime meetings, speeding enforcements, violence against the person crimes, hot spot locations, online reporting of littering and anti-social behaviour (ASB) and how the council publishes its ASB data. These points were responded to by Chief Inspector Turton, the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Wellbeing and officers accordingly.

Members thanked officers and the Chief Inspector for their continued support.

RESOLVED:

The committee requested the cabinet member and officers to consider the following issues further.

1.    To consider the re-establishment or re-engagement of the Police and Community Crime meetings

To review how anti-social behaviour data could be published in future reports without specific groups of residents being highlighted.

Scrutiny Report Reference SC044

Cabinet Report Reference CAB3287

Scrutiny report reference SC044

Cabinet report reference CAB3287

The Chairperson of the Performance Panel introduced the report SC044 and advised that the panel had met on 22 February 2021 to scrutinise the cabinet report, ref CAB3287 which was being presented to Cabinet on 20 May 2021. She confirmed that all members had been issued with a copy of report CAB3287 and had been invited to observe the proceedings of the panel. The Chairperson provided the committee with an overview of the panel’s discussions and referred to the action points from the meeting which were included at appendix 6 of the report.

A recent matter relating to damaged waste bins was raised which was responded to by the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Wellbeing who agreed to discuss the matter with the Cabinet Member for Service Quality and Transformation.

RESOLVED:

The Scrutiny Committee:

1.    Noted that the performance panel met on 22 February 2021 to scrutinise the report, CAB3287 and its associated appendices.

2.    Noted that at the meeting of the performance panel, no items of further work were requested to be undertaken by the performance panel or referred to the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

The forward play of key decisions for April 2021 was noted.