Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Zee Russell, Councillor Ian Angus for whom Councillor Harbans Singh Bagri substituted and Councillor Linda Leach for whom Councillor Tersaim Singh.

It was confirmed that Councillor Barry Findlay and Councillor Lynne Moran had submitted apologies for the previous meeting.

Resolved:

That, subject to the above amendments, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 May 2017 be approved as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

[Helen Winfield, Head of Service – Community Financial Support, to present report]

David Watts, Service Director of Adults and Helen Winfield, Head of Community Financial Support, presented a report on Approval to Consult on Review of Non-residential Contributions to Adult Social Carewhich was due to be considered by Cabinet on the 19 July 2017.

The board was advised that the report sought approval to undertake a public consultation from 24 July to 15 October 2017 as part of this year’s review of non-residential contributions. It was proposed that the Council change from a banded contributions scheme to a system of full financial assessment of individuals in receipt of non-residential Council support under the provisions of the Care Act 2014.

The board sought clarification on whether an appeals process would be in place. Helen Winfield clarified that there would be no change to appeals process, people would have the right to a review and then appeal. If individuals were still unhappy with the outcome the issue can be escalated to the ombudsman.  At present the Council did not have any cases escalated to the Ombudsman.

The board queried the adverse impact the policy would have on disabled individuals. David Watts clarified that the under the banded system the affluent individuals were favoured and that the contribution system would be fairer. Helen Winfield went on to add that if the 20% cap was not sufficient an enhanced level of support can be provided. She further added that the 20% cap was the same as Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and that this was more generous than other neighbouring authorities.

The board sought clarification in relation to the financial implications, David Watts advised that until the assessments were conducted the full financial implications would not be realised. 

Resolved:

1. That a review be undertaken following the consultation process with a focus on adverse impact before consideration by the board on the 10 October 2017.

That the report on Approval to Consult on Review of Non-residential Contributions to Adult Social Carebe presented to Cabinet on the 19 July 2017.

[To provide comments and feedback prior to the report being considered by Cabinet on 19 July 2017]

Shaun Walker, Public Protection: Service Lead, presented a report on the Proposed Citywide Public Spaces Protection Order - dog control which was due to be considered by Cabinet on the 19 July 2017.

The board was advised that the report presented findings from a review of existing dog control orders. Approval was sought for the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (“PSPO”) pursuant to section 59 to 75 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (“the Act”) to replace the existing dog control orders following a change in tools and powers introduced in the Act. He went to outline some of the other commonly used dog control measures and that the report would be amended further before submission to Cabinet to reflect the outcome of the consultation.

The board queried how enforcement would take place at school sites and whether school patrol wardens could be utilised as a resource. Shaun Walker welcomed the suggestion and would investigate the use of school patrol wardens.

In response to a question it was clarified that dog organisations had been consulted.

Resolved:

That the report on Proposed Citywide Public Spaces Protection Order - dog control be presented to Cabinet on the 19 July 2017.

[To provide comments and feedback on the electoral registration public engagement strategy for 2017/18]

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Cabinet Member for Resources, Martyn Sargeant, Head of Service for Democratic Services and Laura Noonan, Project Manager presented a report to outline the proposal for electoral registration activity for 2017/18, and in particular the approach to working with key partners to target under registered groups in Wolverhampton.

Martyn Sargent added the report was a follow on from the previous review by the board and addressed some of the concerns raised. He went on to add that Laura Noonan was on a two year secondment to bring extra capacity to the service area. The board was requested to comment on the priority areas identified within the report.

The board requested that further engagement be undertaken in the St Peter’s Ward with the members of the public who rented private sector accommodation, who were also an important group of people to engage with. Councillor Lynne Moran agreed to provide a list of organisations who could assist with the process. Martyn Sargeant welcomed the suggestion and requested that if the board had details of community organisations to forward these onto Laura Noonan.

The board queried whether polling station data had been drilled down further and that this would assist to put an engagement strategy in place for the groups of people identified as not voting. Martyn Sargeant clarified that at this stage data was not drilled down to polling stations.

The board queried whether there had been a high uptake on the Wolverhampton Information Network (WIN) and whether data could be provided on the take up. Laura Noonan advised that information was placed on WIN on the mayoral election however at present data had not been collated on uptake. Martyn Sargent agreed that as an interim arrangements relevant data on elections would be provided to the board.

The board requested that a review be undertaken on WIN, in relation to the groups registered on the site and the number of hits the site receives. 

The board acknowledged the work undertaken with BAME communities in the Blakenhall ward, whereby a guidance video was produced in four different languages to explain the voting system. A postcard was sent to residents explaining the system and videos were also placed onto WIN. The strategy proved to be very effective and would be used for subsequent elections.

Resolved:

1. That Councillor Lynne Moran provide Laura Noonan with a list of community organisations in the St Peter’s ward.
2. That Martyn Sargent to provide board members with data on WIN in connection with elections.
3. That a report be provided to the Scrutiny Board on WIN, the groups registered on the site and the number of hits received.

[Anna Zollino-Biscotti, Information Governance Manager, to present update report on the performance of Information Governance]

Martyn Sargeant, Head of Democratic Services, presented a report on the performance of Information Governance for quarter four (January –

March 2017). The council was performing consistently well when compared to neighbouring Councils.

He went on to add that the Information Governance team was providing support and advice to the West Midlands Combined Authority, Unison and Wolverhampton Homes. In response to a question it was clarified that the City Council was not charging for providing this support and guidance however going forward the information Governance Team was looking into income generation around the advice provided to schools in relations to General Data Protection Regulation.

The board requested that going forward population figures be taken into consideration when comparative data was provided.

The board welcomed the report and commended the work undertaken by the team.

Resolved:

1. That the IG performance figures for 2016/2017 for Freedom of Information (FOI)/Environmental Information (EIR) requests and Subject Access requests (SAR) be noted.
2. That the year on year performance figures for both regimes be noted.
3. That the FOI/EIR and SAR performance for the calendar year 2016, in comparison with regional local authorities be noted.
4. That the progress being made in relation to the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) be noted and quarterly progress reports on this matter be received.

[To receive an update from the Scrutiny Team on the Work Programmes.]

Julia Cleary, Scrutiny and Systems Manager, Earl Piggott-Smith, Scrutiny Officer and Neil White, Scrutiny Officer provided an update on the work programme for the Scrutiny Board and Scrutiny Panels. The work plans would be reviewed regularly to ensure the areas were still of relevance.

Julia Cleary advised that the Chair had agreed with the Leader to provide a report to Full Council in September to reflect the work undertaken by Scrutiny in the last municipal year and outline the work programme for this municipal year.  The board were requested to contribute to the report and provide details on outcomes and lessons learnt.

Earl Piggott-Smith requested Councillors to get more involved in the work programme and to take an active lead on areas of interest to them. He went on to advise that Councillors need not be subject specialist and that Scrutiny Officers would assist with the review. He reported that Councillor Martin Waite had agreed to lead on suicide prevention. 

Neil White reported that the Vibrant and Sustainable Panel looked into the Grenfell fire and that board were requested to consider whether a review be undertaken on fire safety or emergency planning. Discussion took place around emergency planning, fire safety and the council’s initial response to the Grenfell fire. The board were advised that a report was due to be presented at the July full council on fire safety and that a scoping exercise be undertaken following consideration of the fire safety report. The board agreed that a scoping exercise be undertaken and that Councillor Greg Brakenridge Chair the review.

Councillors were requested to submit any suggestion for pre-decision scrutiny to the Scrutiny Team. 

Resolved:

That a scoping exercise be undertaken and led by Councillor Greg Brakenridge.

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA)

The Chair advised that he attended the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the WMCA with Earl Piggott-Smith. He went on to add that there was a lack of attendance by elected members, lack of resources for the scrutiny function, that he would provide regular briefings on WMCA and that further consideration was required on the Wolverhampton perspective. 

The board agreed that the Mayor and Chief Executive of the WMCA be invited to a future citywide briefing session to set out his vision/priorities.

Resolved:

That the Mayor and Chief Executive of the WMCA be invited to a future citywide briefing session.