Agenda and minutes

Venue: Chappell Room

Contact: Helen Lee  Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

18.

Apologies for Absence and Substitutions.

Minutes:

None.

19.

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2018 pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

 

20.

Declaration of Interests.

Minutes:

None.

21.

Programme of Portfolio Holder Attendance pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Report of the Democratic Services Officer

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee welcomed Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration to discuss a range of issues relating to her area of responsibility.  John Robinson, Chief Executive also attended the meeting.

 

Councillor Hollingsworth addressed a range of questions and topics that had been sent to her in advance of the meeting.

 

Employment and Skills - Apprenticeships and work placements

Until recently apprentices were not employed by the authority but through the Apprentiship Training Agency. Upon completion of the programme the training arrangement ceased as did their employment with the ATA. There is no formal tracking of apprentices once the apprenticeship ends.  The recent change in the apprenticeship model has resulted in the current group of apprentices mainly comprising of existing employees.  It is not always possible to guarantee ongoing employment and with a contacting work force this has become even more difficult.  Currently the programme has a strong practical relevance to work with the Council and equipping candidates to compete in a competitive jobs market.

Work experience

There are two types of work experience placement, school age and working age.  There is an active programme of school age work placements and up until December there have been nine opportunities above the internal target of six.  Placements are made through direct contact by a young person or by referral through the YouNG programme.   There is no formal evaluation of the placement other than an informal discussion between the team manager and the student.  Other outreach work is undertaken with schools to help pupils prepare for work for example attending schools to assist with mock interviews and information days.

There is a target of sixteen adult work experience placement each year.  In the year 2016/17 twenty six placements were facilitated.  About half were with PASC from a programme run by Babbington College. The remainder of the placement were from the DWP partners in Job Centre Plus. 

 

Inward Investment – Support for small businesses

Small businesses can access arrange of support from the Council including bespoke property searches for new or on the move accommodation as well as assistance with recruitment and training.  The Council facilities one to one business support surgeries from the Civic Centre with business advisors from the D”N” Growth Hub. The Council effectively promotes grant funding and financing opportunities , training and networking opportunities to the business community via direct mailing,  Keep me Posted alerts and bespoke meetings and existing business networks,

The issue of the increase in the number of empty shops in Arnold was raised, the reason for this is unclear, however the regeneration of Arnold market could increase footfall and halt this decline.

 

Housing Development – Planning Protocol

The draft Planning Protocol has been subject to a consultation exercise which closed in February and may be refined in view of the comment received. The Greater Nottingham Joint Planning Authority will periodically review the effectiveness of the Protocol.

 

Temporary Housing.

Currently the Council owns seven flats over shops which are used for temporary accommodation.  One was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Scrutiny of the Crime and Disorder. pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Officer, presented a report, prepared by the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, which was circulated in advance of the meeting. The report outlined the work undertaken of the South Nottinghamshire Community Safety Partnership and how it communicates with the public.

 

The issue of water safety in Gedling was raised and Members requested information regarding water safety education initiatives in the borough.

 

RESOLVED:

 

·         Thank Councillor D Ellis for the report

 

·         To note the report.

 

·         Receive information about water safety at the next committee.

 

 

23.

Recording of Meetings pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Officer presented a report, which was circulated in advance of the meeting. The report informed members of the Committee of a request by Cabinet to consider the audio recording of meetings and included information to assist them when considering whether to introduce a permeant arrangement for the recording of committee meetings.

 

The current microphone system used in the Council Chamber was discussed and agreed as being ineffective and not fit for purpose.  It was strongly felt that until the current system in the Chamber is upgraded, and replaced with one which clearly amplifies discussion, there was little point in implementing a system for the audio recording and broadcasting of committee meetings.

 

It was agreed that when a clear amplification system is available that in the interest of openness and transparency all committee meetings, including full Council and those not covered by the exclusion of the press and public,  should be recorded and broadcast. This would include not just meetings held in the Council Chamber but all committees including those held in different meeting rooms.

 

RESOLVED:

 

In the interest of openness and transparency, all meetings including full Council and those not covered by the exclusion of the press and public should be recorded and broadcast.  However, this should only happen when there is a suitable sound system with microphones that clearly amplify discussion available.

 

24.

Scrutiny Work Programme pdf icon PDF 90 KB

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

COMPLETED SCRUTINY REVIEWS

 

The final reports and recommendations arising from

 

·         Improving the Effectiveness of Scrutiny working group

 

and

 

·         The Gedling Councillor Standard working group.

 

were discussed and agreed.

 

SCRUTINY IN COMMITTEE

 

It was agreed that proposals for future scrutiny working  groups would be discussed at the next Committee.

 

SCRUTINY IN COMMITTEE

 

Programme of Portfolio Holder Attendance

 

The forward plan of Portfolio Holder attendance was noted and agreed.

 

25.

Reports and Notices received by the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee as required under the Constitution or Law. pdf icon PDF 39 KB

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Minutes:

Members considered a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, which included information on items referred to the Chair as required by the Constitution.

26.

Any other item which the Chair considers urgent.

Minutes:

None.