Agenda item

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 assessment of Members was required. It was questioned whether this fall under the remit of Transformation and Resources or the Member Development Panel. There was not yet a brief for the work; the Chairs of the two committees would discuss the issue. The Constitution working group would be looking at new areas of the Constitution such as the saying of prayers at Full Council. Members noted on the work plan that Kidsgrove One Stop Shop staff would benefit from a basic local knowledge of Kidsgrove, and advised there had been a similar problem in Loggerheads, with a small reference book being produced. A copy would be made available to the Chair. The figures for Jubilee 2 were noted by Members; the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services confirmed J2 was performing ahead of its business plan and Members considered its income was over budget and its performance satisfactory. The modernisation of the Post Office network was a new addition to the Committee’s work plan and would consider the modernisation and transformation of the network and the possibility of partnership working.

The Chair of the Health Scrutiny committee provided an update on the work plan. The Committee’s serious concerns regarding the consultation on the mental health service had been presented to the County Council. A joint visit to the new Accident and Emergency Unit at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire may take place in November. Cardiac rehabilitation at Jubilee 2 was going well and had been implemented before funding was received. The Health and Well Being Strategy had been received in draft form by Cabinet; it was on the Council website and would be considered at the committee’s next meeting. The Council was now represented on the Health and Well Being Board by the North Staffordshire representative Frank Finlay, of Stafford Borough Council. The Chair of the Member Development Panel had attended the board as part of Link, and suggested a third representative for the County might be considered, as North Staffordshire was not being represented well enough. A response had been received from the Staffordshire cluster of Primary Care Trusts which had answered all concerns regarding phlebotomy services; the scrutiny topic was considered complete. Infant mortality remained a concern and the Committee were monitoring the issue seriously. An accountability session with the UHNS would take place in October.

The Chairs of the committees confirmed that Cabinet members were being invited to meetings. The Chair raised the question as to whether more meetings for Overview and Scrutiny Committees were required in 2013. Members considered whether there would be adequate Officer resource available, and the need for additional meetings would be dependant upon the issues that were being considered at the time.

RESOLVED:                        That the information be received.