Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             after notifying the Chair at the start of the meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no Reserve Members in attendance at this meeting.

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business transacted at this meeting.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That (1) in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the following agenda was admitted late to the agenda by virtue of the special circumstances and grounds for urgency detailed below:-

(2) all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 13 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions were received at this meeting under the provisions of the Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 13 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

Reference from the meeting of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee on 27 June 2005.

The Panel received a reference from the meeting of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee on 27 June 2005.  The reference explained that the Sub-Committee had received a presentation on a project initiated by Whitefriars First and Middle School, which had developed links with schools and communities in Uganda over the previous three years.  The Chair explained her intention to feed back to the Chair of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee that an article on the project had been included in the October edition of Harrow People.  A Member suggested that in future a more informal method of internal communication could be employed in similar circumstances.

RESOLVED:  That the reference be noted.

Report of the Group Manager, Communications.

The Panel received a report of the Group Manager (Communications) setting out the forthcoming publishing schedule for Harrow People.  The Group Manager (Communications) provided a brief overview of the deadlines and noted that the distribution to date had proved to be successful.  It was added that a job supplement would be introduced into the magazine.  The Panel further discussed opportunities for small advertisers, the cost of advertising for internal clients and issues surrounding Harrow People’s budget following the decision to move to a monthly magazine.  The Panel also suggested that future editions could include an article based on an issue raised by a local resident, which would provide a solution or advice on the query. 

RESOLVED:  That the Panel receive a report at its next meeting, providing details on costs associated with producing Harrow People.

Verbal report of the Group Manager, Communications.

Members received a verbal report from the Group Manager (Communications) providing an update on the Council’s Website.   Following initial discussions with CAPITA, it was reported that the website would be used as one of the main tools to promote a more interactive and customer focused approach to delivering the Council’s services.  Members also heard that the Council was considering changing the website’s existing content management system to make the site more accessible.  It was added that a Project Team would be established to help develop and redesign the website over the course of the coming months.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.

Which the Chair has decided is urgent and cannot otherwise be dealt with.

The Panel discussed the Council’s approach to recruitment advertising, including the various publications in which adverts were placed.

It was also agreed that Members would receive a copy of a communications booklet, which provided information on the officers in the section.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.