Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs Heames, Councillor M. Olszewski and Councillor Mrs Williams.

To receive Declarations of Interest from Members on items included in the agenda.

Declarations of interest were received as follows:

• Councillor Cairns – Park Road, Silverdale Community Centre Management Committee and Silverdale Social Centre Community Centre Management Committee.
• Councillor Mrs Johnson – Chesterton Community Centre Management Committee, Crackley Community Centre Management Committee and Red Street Community Centre Management Committee.
• Councillor Matthews – Marsh Hall Community Centre Management Committee.
• Councillor Sweeney – Clayton Community Centre Management Committee.
• Councillor Miss Walklate – Harriet Higgins Community Centre Management Committee and Whitfield Community Centre Management Committee.

To agree as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2012. The minutes will be sent to follow.

RESOLVED:                        That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2012 be agreed as a correct record.

To consider the Members who will form the working group for the Community Centre Review.

The Committee considered the Members who would constitute the Community Centre Review Member working party. The Chair had informed Full Council of the request for nominations for the working group at its 12 September meeting and a letter had been sent to Group Leaders requesting nominations from the political parties.

It was agreed the following Members would form the working group:

• Councillor Cairns
• Councillor Hambleton
• Councillor Mrs Heesom
• Councillor Loades
• Councillor Robinson
• Councillor Mrs Shenton

The previously agreed scrutiny brief would be received by the working group, and it would be the decision of the group how often they met and when to report back to the Committee. The working group’s timescales and workload would be influenced by the Officers work and it was emphasised that the group would be shadowing Officers rather than the review. The Head of Leisure and Cultural Services would sit on the working group and information would be communicated regarding issues that were arising. The consultation questions were an important element of the review and the group’s input would be vital to these questions. A draft timetable had been drawn up which included the deadlines for the working group; this would be communicated after the meeting. It was agreed that the members of the working group and Officers would meet before the review began.

The Chair of the Committee considered it would be helpful if the community centres were advised of the working group and informed they could communicate any of their concerns to the group. Officers assured the Committee that decisions had not been made in advance.

RESOLVED:                        (a) That the information be received.

(b) That a Member working group be set up to shadow the Officer review group.

The Chairs of the scrutiny committees provided updates on their committee’s work by reference to the work plan and provided further information on scrutiny topics as necessary.

The Chair of the Active and Cohesive Communities scrutiny committee provided an update on the work plan. The Chair had still not received requested information from Officers regarding Coalfield Alliance funding. The Committee had received the Bateswood Local Nature Reserve working party recommendations and had agreed they should be forwarded to Cabinet for their consideration. The Committee were awaiting an outline business case from the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services for Leisure Trust Options. An update from Officers had been requested for the Allotments Service Review. Mixed news had been received regarding Kidsgrove Sports Centre; the centre was soon to be re-opened, but further closures in the next twelve months could not be ruled out. At its last meeting, the Committee had discussed local sporting achievements and the possible establishment of a School of Sports. The next meeting of the committee was confirmed as 13 December 2012.

The vice-Chair of the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Communities scrutiny committee provided an update on the work plan. The Waste and Recycling Strategy would involve looking at contracts many years ahead and would require a working group. The move of Fenton Magistrates Courts had been considered by the Committee on 5 September. The courts sent a letter in place of attending the meeting, which advised that CCTV would cover the court building and civil cases would be heard at Stafford Magistrates Court with criminal cases to be heard at Newcastle. Further meetings with the courts would be required. The Chair questioned whether town centre retail premises had been spoken to regarding the move. This had not been raised but was considered a valid point. The next meeting of the committee was confirmed as 5 December 2012.

The Chair of the Economic Development and Enterprise scrutiny committee provided an update on the work plan. The HS2 working group would continue as it was. A small report regarding the Community Infrastructure Levy had been received at the Committee’s last meeting on 17 September; there would be a full report at the next meeting. A report regarding Knutton Recreation Centre had been received by Cabinet the previous week. A small working group had been established to consider town centre car parking. The next meeting of the committee was confirmed as 19 December 2012.

The Chair of the Transformation and Resources scrutiny committee provided an update on the work plan. The budget would form the majority of the work for the committee and there would be a new approach to the budget setting process. A budget café would take place in January 2013 which would give Members the opportunity to ask questions of Cabinet and Officers. A meeting of the committee specifically for the budget took place on 30 October. The Chair of the Member Development Panel raised the issue of Member’s liability and whether a risk  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee considered the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions in order to identify any items listed within it which may be considered as a scrutiny topic by the scrutiny committees. The Chair reminded Members that items on the Forward Plan did not necessarily need to be scrutinised.

RESOLVED:                        That the information be received. 

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of section 100(4) of the Local Government Act 1972

There was no urgent business considered.