Agenda item

5.1

The following questions were asked by Alan Kewley:-

Q.  “The body presenting its annual report to this Scrutiny Committee is entitled - 'Sheffield Community Safety Partnership', but this currently appears elsewhere on the Council website as 'Sheffield Safer & Sustainable Communities Partnership', and previously as a Partnership 'Board'.  Is this the same body with different titles, which is confusing?

Q.  Previously, formal meetings of this Partnership (Board) have been publicised on the Council website, and open to members of the public, or community groups, to attend and submit relevant questions, but at its meeting on 12^th February, 2019,  I understand a decision was made to close its doors to the public forthwith.  We've not yet had confirmation of this retrograde step, and I'd request this Scrutiny Committee for clarification. 

I understand this decision was made by a show of hands of the members present, so I'd like to know if this statutory Partnership can legally make such a decision between themselves without wider consultation and scrutiny?

5.2

The Chair responded as follows:-

·                     The correct name is Safer and Sustainable Communities Partnership

·                     It was necessary to exclude the public and press at meetings due to the sensitive nature of the business to be discussed.

·                     It was necessary for a member of the Police and Crime Panel to sit on the Board of the Partnership.

·                     Recommends that the Chair of this Committee in 2019/20 looks to clarifying the issues raised.

·                     Maxine Stavrianakos (Head of Neighbourhood Intervention and Tenant Support) would be requested to provide a more definitive answer, in writing, to Mr. Kewley, and that those responses would be published with the minutes of this meeting.