The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee of Coventry City Council discussed several key issues, including parking enforcement and road safety, the complaints policy and procedure, and the re-procurement of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services. Decisions were made to recommend the introduction of red routes on certain roads, amend the complaints policy, and support the re-procurement process for drug and alcohol services.

Parking Enforcement and Road Safety

The Committee reviewed a Briefing Note from the Director of City Services on the Council’s Civil Parking Enforcement function. The note outlined the Council's responsibilities since 2005, including improving road safety, traffic flow, and air quality. Key activities discussed included civil parking enforcement, bus lane enforcement, and resident parking scheme management.

The Committee raised several issues, such as the implementation of disabled parking bays, bus lane enforcement's impact on city centre footfall, and traffic management in areas like Burges and Trinity Street. Concerns were also voiced about school parking issues, the wellbeing of parking staff, and problem parking on main routes like Foleshill Road and Stoney Stanton Road.

The Committee resolved to:

1. Welcome the current actions and initiatives.
2. Recommend the Cabinet Member for City Services consider introducing red routes on Foleshill Road, Stoney Stanton Road, Clay Lane, and Longford Road, and review city centre parking restrictions.
3. Recommend the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities request West Midlands Police enforce parking on white zig-zag lines.
4. Request officers continue working with schools on parking issues, review road signage, and ensure delivery driver parking bays in White Street car park.

Complaints Policy and Procedure Task and Finish Group

The Committee considered a Briefing Note detailing recommendations from the Complaints Policy and Procedure Task and Finish Group, chaired by Councillor N Akhtar. The group aimed to make the complaints process more accessible and understandable.

Key points discussed included the need for proper processes before system implementation, training for staff, and the inclusion of surveys for complainants. The group proposed a renewed policy differentiating between contacting the Council, service requests, and complaints, and suggested case studies or flow charts for complaint handling.

The Committee resolved to:

1. Approve the submission of the Task and Finish Group's recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources, including amending the policy, identifying timescales for an electronic complaints system, and considering future strategic planning opportunities.
2. Add a progress report on these recommendations to the Committee’s Work Programme for 2024-25.

Rebuilding Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services

The Committee reviewed a report from the Director of Public Health and Wellbeing on the re-procurement of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services, which will be considered by Cabinet on 16 April. The current contract expires in March 2025, and the new procurement aligns with the national Drug Strategy “From Harm to Hope”, aiming to rebuild treatment services.

The Committee discussed the procurement process, contract value, resource sufficiency, and performance improvement measures. They also considered the consultation process with service users and the integration of mental health services.

The Committee resolved to:

1. Support the recommendations to Cabinet with additional recommendations for officers to ensure continuous consultation, detail performance improvements, ensure capacity for innovative approaches, gather GP feedback, and collect data on repeat attendances.

Work Programme and Outstanding Issues 2023/2024

The Committee reviewed their Work Programme and outstanding issues for 2023/24. They resolved to ensure maximum Member involvement in Scrutiny during 2024/25 and add items like the Local Development Plan and a review of external partners to the appropriate Scrutiny Board’s Work Programme for 2024/25.