Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Heames.

A declaration of interest was received from Councillor Loades with regard to the Health and Well Being Strategy and LINk.

RESOLVED:            That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2012 be agreed as a correct record with the addition of Councillor Shenton’s apologies and a spelling error in the last paragraph of point 17.

The Chairs of the individual scrutiny committees updated the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Committee 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 Review of Grants and the Third Sector Commissioning Framework had been agreed in principle by Cabinet. With regard to Kidsgrove Sports Centre, work was to begin shortly on the repairs required to the roof. 

The Chair of the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Scrutiny Committee provided an update on the work plan. The Waste and Recycling Strategy would hopefully be bought to the Committee for its September meeting.  It was hoped there would be an update on the Carbon Management Plan at each meeting. The topic of policing in Kidsgrove was to be broadened out to other areas within the Borough. This was supported by Members who explained that there were problems with policing in rural areas, in particular with police being lost to other areas. It was possible that the Cleaner, Greener, Safer Committee would not proceed with scrutiny of Skip Fees, Heavy Traffic Enforcement and Take Aways.

The Chair of the Economic Development and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee provided an update on the work plan. A working group had been established for Local Enterprise Partnerships. This working group would receive a summary paper on LEPs and meet if required. It had been resolved that the HS2 working group should meet before the next Cabinet meeting. Councillor Cairns had replaced Councillor John Williams, who was now a member of the Cabinet and not eligible to sit on scrutiny committees or working groups. The former St Giles and St George’s school building and Knutton Recreation Centre would be considered at an additional meeting of the Committee on 28 June 2012. The Empty Homes Strategy should come to the Committee in December.

The Chair of the Transformation and Resources Scrutiny Committee provided an update on the work plan. It was suggested that a working party could be set up to scrutinise the Financial and Performance Management Report. An update was expected at the next meeting with regard to Flexible Working for Borough Council Employees.

The Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee provided an update on the work plan. An additional meeting of the Committee had been scheduled for 19 July 2012 to consider the Consultation on Mental Health Issues. The Coordinating Committee had received a request from the Active and Cohesive Communities Committee to consider the best way to scrutinise the Health and Well Being Strategy. The Chair of Active and Cohesive Communities felt it would be best for the Health Scrutiny Committee to retain this, as a report from the Council’s Head of Leisure and Cultural Services regarding the strategy had previously been received by Health Scrutiny. It was suggested that a task and finish group could be set up to consider the strategy. As Health Scrutiny was only a small committee, it would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Committee considered the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions, in order to identify any items listed within it which the Committee may wish to be considered as a scrutiny topic by the Overview & Scrutiny Committees or the Health Committee.

It was emphasised that it was not necessary to scrutinise every item on the Forward Plan. For example, the Upgrade/Replacement of the Financial System had not been considered by a scrutiny committee. There was more value to be gained by scrutinising certain items rather than all items. Members also advised not to consider items too close to the date they would be considered by Cabinet, as this would make scrutiny work futile.

The Forward Plan item of the Procurement of the Reporter would be considered at the September meeting of the Transformation and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

The Coordinating Committee discussed a Cabinet request regarding the Review of Community Centre Provision. The request was to set up a working party to shadow the officer group who would conduct the review of community centres.Members felt the officer group needed to be established first and a scrutiny brief was required before a working group could be formed by the Committee. It was therefore decided that an additional meeting of the Committee should be scheduled. It was also felt it would be beneficial to invite Officers to the additional meeting and perhaps the Portfolio Holder for Stronger and Active Neighbourhoods. The Chair of the Committee resolved to speak to the Cabinet to clarify their intentions.

RESOLVED:            (a) That the information be received

(b) That an additional meeting of the Coordinating Committee be scheduled regarding the Review of Community Centre Provision, when the officer working group had been established.

(c) That a scrutiny brief be provided at the additional meeting and the Member working party considered.

(d) That officers and possibly the Portfolio Holder for Stronger and Active Neighbourhoods be invited to the additional meeting.

(e) That the Chair speak with Cabinet to clarify their intentions.

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.