Agenda and minutes

Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any matters on the agenda and, if so, to formally declare that interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the last meeting held on 9^th December.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the meeting, held on 9^th December 2014, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

A period of 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions on matters considered at the last meeting and set out in the minutes or on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

No members of the public were present at the meeting.

A presentation will be given at the meeting.

Councillor Isherwood, Cabinet Member for Environment, gave a presentation setting out information relating to the changes to refuse collection along with details of the work of the Recycling Awareness Team and their role in promoting recycling across the Borough.

Questions and comments were invited from the Committee and the following issues were raised:

·      In response to a question concerning the impact of the Recycling Awareness Team, the Cabinet Member explained that it was difficult to put a figure on the impact in terms of increased rates of recycling due to the changes in the way household waste is collected. Reference was made to the positive work undertaken on the ground with regard to waste audits, education awareness and community based campaigns.

·      The Chair, Councillor Gartside, enquired whether the changes to collections had resulted in an increase in the level of fly tipping across the Borough. The Cabinet Member reported that figures suggested there had actually been a decrease in the incidence of fly tipping for the period October December when compared with the previous year. An undertaking was given to provide the statistics to Committee Members.

·      With regard to future developments around recycling, it was explained that the Council had increased their share within the trade waste market. Additionally through Greater Manchester Waste were looking increase the types of materials, including lower grade plastics, that can be recycled.

·      In response to a question relating to the contract with Viridor, the Head of Waste Management explained that the contract had been awarded in 2009 by Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority for a 25 year period. It was explained that within the contract there was some capacity to encourage new operators to opt into the contract and also to identify and develop new recycling streams.

·      In response to a question concerning brown bins, the Cabinet Member confirmed that 3850 brown bins had been delivered,. With regard to rural properties it was reported that 600 were currently not on the brown bin round.

It was agreed:

That Councillor Isherwood be thanked for the presentation.

Report from the Head of Financial Mangement is attached.

Andrew Baldwin, Head of Financial Management, presented a report providing Members with an updated version of the anti-fraud and corruption strategy. It was explained that the strategy had been updated in order to take account of changes in department and post titles and the impact of the 2013 Whistleblowing Code of Practice.

Attached to the report was the revised document which was set out in 8 parts covering the following:

·      General Policy and Strategy

·      Whistleblowing Policy

·      Housing benefit / Council Tax Benefit Fraud Prosecution Policy

·      Standards of Conduct

·      Guidance for Members and Officers on how to report suspected fraud and corruption within outside bodies

·      Local Code of Corporate Governance

·      Anti-Money Laundering Guidance

·      Anti-Bribery Policy

In response to a question from the Chair, Councillor Gartside, concerning levels of fraud against the Council, The Head of Financial Management referred to the Fraud and Corruption survey undertaken via Audit to monitor the issue. An undertaking was given to circulate a comparative table of results from previous annual surveys.

During discussion of this item Members highlighted the importance of ensuring that the Whistleblowing Policy is publicised and promoted as widely as possible to all members of staff. The Head of Financial Management acknowledged the need to use various methods of communication to ensure all staff were aware of the Policy.

It was agreed:

That the updated Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy be accepted.

Report from Jackie Summerscales,Principal Strategy Officer - Corporate Policy, is attached.

Jackie Summerscales, Principal Strategy Officer, present a report setting out a summary of progress against the projects and performance indicators within the Council’s Poverty Strategy 2014-2016 at the end of Quarter 2 (2014/15). Statistical information was provided in relation to the following indicators:

·      Proportion of children in poverty in Bury

·      Number of children eligible for free school meals

·      Number of food bank provision supplied

·      Number of people contacting Bury Citizens Advice Bureau (BCAB) for help with debt or benefit issues

·      Number of people contacting BCAB for help due to pay day loans

Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Committee and the following issues were raised:

·      Councillor O’Brien expressed concerns about the future affordability of the Bury Support Fund in light of recent Government announcements

·      Councillor Carter sought confirmation that Universal Credit was still due to be rolled out o families in Bury on 26 January 2015.

·      Councillor Daly requested an analysis of the performance indicator relating to children in poverty in Bury. An undertaking was given to provide this information.

·      During discussion of this item it was requested that future updates demonstrate linkages between individual projects and the indicators.

·      In response to a question from Councillor Cassidy an undertaking was given to provide information in relation to uptake of the Credit Union.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.

A report from Claire Jenkins, Head of Customer Support and Collections, will follow.

It was agreed:

That this item be deferred to the March meeting of this Committee.

To consider passing the appropriate resolution under Section 100 (A)(4), Schedule 12(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the reason that the following business involves the disclosure of exempt information as detailed against the item.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

Delegated decision:

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as they involve the likely disclosure of information as detailed in the conditions of Category 3

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Committee in relation to the decision taken by Cabinet on 17 December 2014 (CA.530) to construct a temporary pool and gym on the site of the former Radcliffe Riverside School.

It was agreed:

That the information be noted.