To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jesse Grey (Councillor Julian Sharpe was sub) and Hashim Bhatti. 

Apologies for absence were also received from Superintendent Rai (Thames Valley Police). 

The Chairman informed everyone present that the meeting was being recorded and that the audio would be available on the RBWM website shortly. 

The Chairman also informed everyone present of the fire evacuation procedures.

To receive declarations of interests from Members of the Panel in respect of

any item to be considered at the meeting.

None.

To note the Part I minutes of the Crime & Disorder Overview & Scrutiny Panels held on the 14 November 2016.

The Part I minutes of the meeting held on the 14 November 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

To comment on the report to be considered by Cabinet on the 15 December 2016.

The Chairman informed everyone present that the extra meeting had been arranged due to the Delivering Differently in Operations and Customer Services – Civil Enforcement Officer and Community Warden Services that would be going before Cabinet tomorrow evening. 

The Strategic Director of Operations, Simon Fletcher, explained that on the 30 June 2016, Cabinet had approved in principle a proposal to consider the use of a private sector provider for the delivery of Civil Enforcement and Community Warden Services on behalf of the Council.  Members were informed that this paper was requesting authority to amend the original approach given by Cabinet in June 2016 to now look at potential alternative service delivery options for just Civil Enforcement Services. 

Members were informed that the paper also requested delegated authority to conclude a competitive procurement process for this service in order to test the private sector market. 

The Strategic Director of Operations assured Members that no final decisions had been made or approved and that the report requested a further report be presented to Cabinet in April which would set out the results of the procurement process and the other options available to the council for this service.  Comments from this Panel were requested on the procurement process.

Members noted that third party services were being considered as they had the potential to better cover and address parking enforcement needs across the Borough (e.g. greater flexibility and resilience associated with major events and better coverage and patrols of residential and more rural locations), they had the potential of increased enforcement need if parking issues were being better covered, had the ability to access private sector expertise on dynamic resource development utilising technology and quick response arrangements.  Also that third party services had the potential for costs associated with future investments and development in technology to be borne by the third party provider (e.g. new hand held units, virtual permit technology, etc). 

The Strategic Director of Operations informed Members that the Council was looking at Westminster City Council as they currently used third party providers.  It was noted that the Council had also commenced a pilot utilising third party resource to deliver Civil Enforcement services within a defined area of the Borough. 

The Chairman informed Members that he had been assured by officers that a paper would come back before this Panel before it went to Cabinet in April 2017.  It was noted that the Chairman’s concerns regarding the Night-time Economy being destroyed if civil enforcement workers stopped people from parking when collecting takeaways had been alleviated.  Members were informed by the Chairman that he had been assured that the appeals process would be retained as a council function.  The Chairman had also been assured that all RBWM civil enforcement officers would be offered jobs by the third party provider if that was the route Cabinet decided to go down. 

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

·         Councillor Sharma suggested that the pilot utilising third party resource to deliver Civil Enforcement services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

·         Tuesday 24 January 2017.

·         Monday 30 January 2017.

·         Thursday 20 April 2017.

The Chairman informed Members that the dates of the next meetings were as follows:

·         Tuesday 24 January 2017.

·         Thursday 20 April 2017.

It was noted that the meeting on Monday 30 January 2017 would likely be cancelled as the Budget and Council Tax report going to Cabinet in early February would now be available in time for the meeting scheduled to take place on the 24 January 2017.  The Clerk would confirm the cancellation shortly.

To note the Part II minutes of the Crime & Disorder Overview & Scrutiny Panel held on the 14 November 2016.