Agenda and minutes

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services, which proposed changes to the existing terms of reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to reflect its role as the body holding the responsibility for the Borough’s statutory health scrutiny function since its reconfiguration.  It also recognised the duty of scrutiny in addressing local government and local crime and disorder matters, as part of the government’s drive for ‘responsive services and empowered communities’.  These matters were addressed in the Health and Social Care Act 2001, Police and Justice Act 2006 and Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

In considering the report, the Committee was informed that the terms of reference would be further revisited at a future date, as part of the review of the reconfiguration.  The proposals before the Committee were to ensure that arrangements were in place to meet the provisions in the Acts.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (to Council)

That the proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out in bold text at Appendix 1 to these minutes, be approved.

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)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

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 Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2008 and the special meetings held on 12 May 2008 be deferred until the next ordinary meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2008 and the special meetings held on 12 May 2008 be deferred until the next ordinary meeting of the Committee.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 10.

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations were received at the meeting under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 10.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services

(See Recommendation I)

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman welcomed the Leader of the Council to his first meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as Leader.  He also welcomed the Chief Executive to the meeting, and stated that the Committee looked forward to hearing from the new Leader and the Chief Executive about their experiences and aspirations for the Council.

The Chairman took this opportunity to welcome a new Member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to her first Question and Answer Session with the Leader and the Chief Executive.   He emphasised that the Session was intended to question the political and officer leadership of the Council about activity and priorities during the last year(s) and on future issues.   Additionally, the spirit of scrutiny was to hold a robust question and answer session but to do so in a non?partisan environment.

It was noted that the Leader and Chief Executive had been advised of the following subject areas but not of any specific issues, other than where there had been a request for specific information.  The Chairman then invited the Leader and Chief Executive to make introductory comments prior to the asking of specific questions under the following themes:-

-                      the Council's Corporate Assessment Score

-                      the IDeA Peer Review

-                      resident satisfaction

-                      Council budget.

Introductory comments by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive

The Leader of the Council stated that one of his aspirations was to improve customer satisfaction levels and the attitude of the Council towards its residents who were the main customers of the Council.  It was important that communication from the Council to its residents was good, that residents were treated with respect and that they enjoyed their experience when dealing with the Council. 

The Chief Executive referred to his 9-point Plan, which had laid down the foundations for the organisation to realise its vision of becoming an ‘excellent’ authority.  Progress was being made on each of the elements of the Plan.  He intended to accelerate improvements within the Council with a view to achieving results in all aspects of the Council’s work. 

The Committee was informed that the structures to reflect the needs and priorities of the organisation and ensure excellence in the eyes of the customer had been re?visited.  As a result, a number of changes had been proposed and agreed by Cabinet.  A key ingredient of the change to drive the organisation forward and focus on the customer had been the creation of an Assistant Chief Executive with the post holder reporting directly to the Chief Executive.  The Assistant Chief Executive would be responsible for managing relationships with the Council’s partners and enhancing and building on their capacity.

The Chief Executive stated that, in addition, a ‘champion’ for the environment was important to the organisation and as a result, an appointment had been made to the post of the Divisional Director of Environment.

The reputation of the Council was also fundamental to how the organisation was perceived and,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 337.