ITEM SEVEN
WEST YORKSHIRE JOINT SERVICES COMMITTEE
ARCHIVES, ARCHAEOLOGY & TRADING STANDARDS SUB-COMMITTEE
THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2007
Present:
Bradford
Councillor Middleton
Councillor Slater
Kirklees
Councillor T Brice
Councillor M Sokhal
Leeds
Councillor K Wakefield
Wakefield
Councillor J Drysdale
Councillor M Cummings
Councillor H Mitchell
46.
APOLOGIES
Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillors, Harris, Walls, Cawthra,
Barret, Jennings and Ogilvie.
47.
CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman welcomed Jacqui Kennedy and Tony Quigley from Birmingham
City Council to the meeting, who attended in relation to Agenda Item 8.
The Chairman informed the Sub-Committee that the meetings scheduled for
Thursday 28 June have been re-scheduled to Friday 29 June as the TSI
Conference takes place that week.
There will also be a Joint Services
Committee meeting on that day to approve the Statement of Accounts.
The Chairman updated Members on the positive feedback from the Peer Review
team and informed the Sub-Committee that a report will be submitted to the April
meeting.
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Further to requests made at the meeting on 28 September 2006, the Chief
Officer updated Members on Home Information Packs.
48.
MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No declarations of interest were made.
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49.
MINUTES
Resolved – That the Minutes of the Sub-Committee held on 16 November 2006
be signed as a correct record.
50.
EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC - EXEMPT INFORMATION
Resolved – That the public and press be excluded from the meeting for
consideration of Agenda Items 19 and 20 on the grounds that they are likely to
involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule
12A to the Local Government Act 1972.
51.
LOAN SHARKS” - ILLEGAL MONEY LENDING PROJECT
A report of the Chief Officer advised Members of proposals to extend a pilot
project targeting illegal moneylending in Birmingham and Glasgow to Leeds.
The Head of Service from Birmingham City Council attended the meeting to
provide background information and explain why Leeds is an ideal location for
the extension of the scheme. The Chief Officer advised Members that it is
possible that the project may be extended to other West Yorkshire areas in the
future. Members agreed that it is vital to ensure that financial knowledge is
available and Credit Unions have a vital part to play in the successful operation
of the project. The Chairman thanked the representatives from Birmingham for
their attendance.
Resolved – Members supported the extension of the pilot scheme to the Leeds
area.
Reason for the Decision – Responsibility for enforcing unlicensed money
lending rests with local Trading Standards services, but investigations and
prosecutions are rare as the offence is difficult to investigate and Trading
Standards’ resources have not traditionally been available to deal with this
specialist area of work. The funding provided for this project will allow an
experienced team of Birmingham based officers to investigate whether similar
problems to those found in the two pilot areas exist in Leeds and for
enforcement action to be taken where appropriate.
52.
PUBLIC ANALYST’S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER
2006
Members received a report covering samples submitted under the Food Safety
Act 1990 by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service Department and
reported on by the Public Analyst during the quarter ended 31 December 2006.
The appendices to the reports included lists of samples reported upon adversely
and the nature of the irregularities in the products. It was noted that some 669
samples had been reported upon and of these 21% had received adverse
comments. The Laboratory Manager informed Members of the recent salt
awareness week, which took place week commencing 29 January 2006 and
made reference to the high levels of salt found in takeaway meals.
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Resolved – Members noted the report.
Reason for the Decision – To ensure that Members are aware of current
issues in relation to adverse reports on programmed and complaints Food
Safety Act samples.
Councillor J Drysdale made apologies and left the meeting.
53.
THE ARCHAEOLOGY ADVISORY SERVICE DAY SCHOOL 18 NOVEMBER
2006
A report of the Chief Officer informed Members of the success of this year’s
Archaeology Day School which was organised by the Education and Promotions
Team. The event, now in its seventh year was held at the Beckett Park Campus
of Leeds Metropolitan University and was attended by almost 200 guests.
Members were informed that next year’s event will take place at the Royal
Armouries and were invited to attend.
Resolved – Members noted the success of the day and supported its future
development and delivery.
Reason for the Decision – The annual Day School represents an ideal
opportunity for the Service to present its findings for the year relating to
archaeological excavations and discoveries, and for local societies and other
interested individuals to share their thoughts and ideas on the subject.
54.
ARCHIVE SERVICE COLLECTION POLICY
A report of the Chief Officer sought approval for the Archive Service’s revised
Collection Policy. The Head of Archives summarised the Policy and explained
how collections were chosen and disposed off.
Resolved – Members approved the new Collection Policy.
Reason for the Decision – To fulfil the requirement of the Standard for Record
Repositories (The National Archives, 2004) that “the governing body should
approve a clearly defined statement of collecting policy”.
55.
SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT WITH YORKSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
A report of the Chief Officer sought approval for the renewal of the Service Level
Agreement with Yorkshire Archaeological Society. The Head of Archives
summarised the agreement which concentrates primarily on preservation and
access.
Resolved – Members approved the terms of renewal.
Reason for the Decision – Both the Archive Service and the Society feel that
the agreement has worked well over the past 3 years and wish it to continue.
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56.
HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING BID
A report of the Chief Officer informed Members of a Funding Application to the
Heritage Lottery Fund. The Divisional Manager (Heritage) summarised the
project which aims to develop new services to new audiences. The Manager
advised that if successful, the funding will also be good for the sustainability of
existing projects. Members agreed that this was an excellent project.
Resolved – Members supported submission of the bid.
Reason for the Decision – To show organisational support as required by HLF
in their funding guidelines.
57.
WEST YORKSHIRE JOINT SERVICES’ KEY PRIORITIES
A report of the Chief Officer was submitted to the Sub-Committee for approval to
amend the wording of one of Joint Services’ Key Priorities from ‘Sustainable
Economic Development’ to Economic Development and the Environment’. The
Chief Officer advised that the amendment would ensure that Joint Services’
priorities aligned to those of the Constituent Authorities and other stakeholders.
Resolved – Members approved the change of the title of the Key Priority
‘Sustainable Economic Development’ to ‘Economic Development and the
Environment’.
Reason for the Decision – (1) Joint Services must ensure that its priorities and
activities are aligned to the priorities of the Constituent Authorities and reflect the
priorities of other stakeholders. It is also important that the work Joint Services
undertake is recognised as being relevant, particularly within the Constituent
Authorities, The Key Priorities and associated priority work areas have come out
of the consultation with stakeholders and recognition of the importance of the
Local Area Agreement (LAA) themes.
(2) The Government has recommended that one theme should be changed from
‘Economic Development and Enterprise’ to ‘Economic Development and the
Environment’.
58.
TRADING STANDARDS MEDIUM TERM ACTION PLAN
A report of the Chief Officer introduced a Medium term Action Plan for Trading
Standards outlining the challenges faced by the Service. The Plan will enable
officers to plan work in terms of priorities. The Chief Officer summarised the
plan and the weighting of priorities. Members requested that a Forum be
established to consider these priorities in more detail.
Resolved – Members approved the Medium Term Action Plan for Trading
Standards, subject to a future review of priorities.
Reason for the Decision – The adoption of the medium term plan will allow
Members, stakeholders and senior managers to understand the key drivers for
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the service and the risks associated with them. The plan will assist managers in
setting appropriate Service Improvement Plans and staff in understanding and
meeting the resultant targets.
59.
REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE PROJECT (YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER)
A report of the Chief Officers informed Members of the progress of the Regional
Intelligence Project and copies of the Strategic Assessment were made
available.
Resolved – Members noted the report and supported the continued
development of the project.
Reason for the Decision – (1) To ensure that Members are informed of the
latest developments in relation to the project and are able to monitor future
progress.
(2) To ensure that services are delivered in a manner that is in step with the
latest central government thinking and resources are utilised to tackle those
areas of work which are most detrimental to consumers.
60.
RETAIL ENFORCEMENT PILOT
A report of the Chief Officer informed Members of a pilot project to reduce the
number of inspections by maximising the use of Trading Standards,
Environmental Health and Fire Service resources. The Divisional Manager
(Business Compliance) explained that the project has worked well in Bexley and
Warwickshire leading to a 30% reduction in inspections. The next stage of the
pilot project would commence following a detailed review by the Better
Regulation Executive.
Resolved – Members approved West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service’s
participation in the Retail Enforcement Pilot.
Reason for the Decision – The Retail Enforcement Pilot is an innovative
project which aims to delivery both the Government’s agenda of reducing
burdens on business whilst increasing public protection.
61.
PROSECUTION DETAILS AND AUDIT – OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2006
A report of the Chief Officer was submitted for information on prosecutions
concluded by the Service during October to November 2006 which indicated the
nature of the offence, the legislation under which a prosecution had been
brought, the name of the defendant and the outcome. Detailed information on
several of the prosecutions was given in the report.
Resolved – (1) Members supported the prosecution policy adopted and the
action taken to secure compliance with the relevant legislation.
Reason for the decisions – The Service adheres to a published prosecution
policy, which takes into account the Enforcement Concordat and Home Office
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guidelines. Members need to be satisfied that any enforcement action taken is
in accordance with the overall policy.
IN PRIVATE
62.
WEST YORKSHIRE MATERIALS TESTING SERVICE RESTRUCTURE
A report of the Chief Officer informed Members of action taken to minimise a
projected deficit in the income of the West Yorkshire Materials Testing Service
during 2006/07. The Divisional Manager (Scientific Services) explained the
current situation and summarised the proposals necessary to ensure a balanced
budget in future years.
Resolved – Members noted the action taken in the report.
Reason for the Decision – The management actions taken have been in
response to an identified shortfall in the projected income of WYMTS. Prompt
action was necessary to minimise the deficit and develop new areas of income in
future years.
63.
SCHEDULE OF FEES 2007/08
The Chief Officer submitted an annual report proposing revised fees and
charges for the financial year 2007/08. It was noted that fees had generally
been adjusted by an inflation factor of 3% as advised by the West Yorkshire
Directors of Finance.
Resolved – The Committee approved the West Yorkshire Joint Services
Schedule of Fees for the financial year 2007/08 and authorised officers to
negotiate appropriate charges where this is in the interest of the Joint
Committee.
Reason for the Decision – Committee approval to increase the fees is
necessary in accordance with Clause 10 of the existing Joint Services
Agreement.
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