Executive Scrutiny Committee Minutes

Date:
Tuesday, 15th January, 2008
Time:
09.30 a.m
Place:
Stockton Library, The Square, Stockton on Tees
 
Please note: all Minutes are subject to approval at the next Meeting

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr Robert Gibson (Chairman), Cllr Mrs Ann Cains, Cllr Dick Cains, Cllr Mick Eddy, Cllr Colin Leckonby, Cllr Mrs Liz Nesbitt, Cllr Maurice Perry, Cllr Mrs Maureen Rigg, Cllr Mrs Allison Trainer, Cllr William Woodhead, Mrs Mustafa (Parent Governor Representative).
Officers:
F Shayler, J Trainer, M Waggott (LD).
In Attendance:
None
Apologies for absence:
were submitted on behalf of Cllrs Coleman, Harrington, Narroway, Mrs O'Donnell, Sherris, Smith, Womphrey.
Item Description Decision
Public
EXC
56/07		 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 None
EXC
57/07		 DRAFT MINUTES - 11TH DECEMBER 2007
 RESOLVED that the draft minutes of the meeting held on 11th December 2007 be noted.
EXC
58/07		 MINUTES FOR SIGNING - 13TH NOVEMBER 2007
 RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13th November 2007 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
EXC
59/07		 ADULT SERVICES AND HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE - REVIEW OF ALCOHOL SERVICES
Preamble
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and forwarded to the next meeting of Cabinet.
EXC
60/07		 SCRUTINY IMPROVEMENT PLAN - UPDATE
Preamble
RESOLVED that the update be noted.
EXC
61/07		 PARKVIEW CARE HOME - REFERRAL FROM CABINET
Preamble
RESOLVED that the Adult Services and Health Select Committee undertake a review of Parkview Care Home and report their findings to Cabinet in March 2008.
EXC
62/07		 FORWARD PLAN
Preamble
RESOLVED that the Forward Plan be noted.
EXC
63/07		 REPORT ON CHAIRS UPDATES
Preamble
RESOLVED that the updates be noted.

Preamble

ItemPreamble
EXC
59/07		Members gave consideration to the Adult Services and Health Select Committee's report on the Review of Alcohol Services.
EXC
60/07		Members were provided with a progress report against the scrutiny improvement plan.

A review of the operation of the Council’s new scrutiny co-ordination arrangements took place during November/December 2006. Views on the implementation of the new arrangements were sought from Members and Officers utilising the Centre for Public Scrutiny’s self evaluation framework. The framework was based on the principles set out in the “Good Scrutiny Guide”.

An Improvement Plan was developed based on feedback from the review and this was approved by Executive Scrutiny Committee in May 2007.

In addition to the Scrutiny Improvement Plan, a number of other improvements were identified by Members at an Executive Scrutiny Away Day held on 11 July 2007. Progress in respect of the specific actions identified were outlined.

A further Executive Scrutiny Away Day was to be held on 27th February, 2008.
EXC
61/07		Members were requested to consider the request from Cabinet to include the review of Parkview Care Home as the second review topic of the Adult Services and Health Select Committee in the current municipal year.

On 20 December, 2007 Cabinet received a report on the future of Parkview Care Home. Cabinet agreed to refer the issue to the Adult Services and Health Select Committee to ask them to take forward a time limited piece of work to determine:

- The national and local policy framework around services for older people

- The factual issues around Parkview Care Home focusing particularly on the building, occupancy, care standards, financial information and staffing

Cabinet had requested that the Select Committee seek and analyse information and feedback the results of their findings to Cabinet in March 2008.

This review would replace the Select Committee’s review of Audiology as the second review topic for 2007/08.
EXC
62/07		Members were provided with the Statutory Forward Plan for 1st January 2008 to 30th April 2008.
EXC
63/07		Corporate and Social Inclusion Select Committee

The Committee had appointed Members to a smaller task and finish group of the full committee to conduct the review of the Community and Voluntary Sector. A scoping meeting would be held in January but was anticipated that the review would examine the relationship between voluntary and community sector organisations and the Council and to ensure that there was adequate advice and support for the sector with funding aligned to Community Strategy priorities and targets.

The Committee had received a further progress report on the implementation of the Meetings Venues Review in December together with a progress report on the implementation of the Consultation review.

Arts, Leisure and Culture Select Committee

The Committee was still undertaking its review of River Based Leisure Facilities. At a meeting on 9 January the Committee heard evidence from representatives of Yarm Town Council and Yarm School in relation to use of the river for recreational use in the Yarm area.

The Committee also considered the issue of the Fish Pass at the Tees Barrage, following correspondence in the local media.

Responses continued to be received from Parish/Town Councils and members of the public. The Committee would also be considering the results of the Adult and Youth Viewpoint surveys from late 2007.

The review remained on schedule and was due to report to Cabinet at the first meeting of the next municipal year.

Housing and Community Safety Select Committee

At a meeting on 13 December Committee received evidence from Margaret Reynolds from the Traveller Education Service. During this the Committee became aware that sites smaller than those that were being considered may be more suitable and attractive for Travellers.

The Committee considered a report and agreed a shortlist of 4 potential sites, but following the information received from Mrs Reynolds it was decided to look again at available sites with a view to considering smaller sites also.

On 20 December, a site visit to the 4 short listed sites plus 6 smaller, newly identified sites took place. Following discussion at Committee, Bowesfield Pumping Station was chosen as the preferred option for consultation.

The Traveller Transit Site Selection review would be reporting to Cabinet on 14 February, 2008.

Environment Select Committee

The Committee met on 19 November 2007 to agree the scope for its second review - Waste Management and Recycling. The aim of the review was to seek improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of household waste collection and disposal services and improve recycling rates whilst maintaining/ improving customer satisfaction rates.

At a further meeting on 19 December 2007, the Committee took evidence from Dr Andrew Craig on the National Waste Strategy and the Joint Tees Value Waste Strategy. The Committee also agreed a detailed consultation plan for the review including a questionnaire in the January edition of Stockton News.

The Waste review was due to report to Cabinet in May 2008.

The Committee were due to receive a progress report on the implementation of the Cemeteries phase 1 review in January 2008.

Regeneration and Transport Select Committee

Since the last update the final report on Employability was approved by Cabinet on 20 December.

The current topic for review was the Sustainable School Travel Strategy. This was referred to Executive Scrutiny by Cabinet in August. Cabinet suggested that School Travel Plans be considered as part of the review, in relation to what degree they had been implemented in Stockton and how effective they have been.

A School Travel Plan was a document setting out a package of measures for reducing the number of car trips made to a school or a group of schools by parents and staff and for improving safety on the school journey. School Travel Plans aim to cut congestion caused by the school run; reduce traffic danger; and support pupils who are already travelling by more sustainable means. A Sustainable School Travel Strategy was the policy background within which School Travel Plans are developed.

The review scope and project plan was due to be determined by the Committee in January following the first tripartite meeting which took place in December.

The review was currently on schedule with a view to the final report being presented to Cabinet in May, 2008.

Children and Young People Select Committee

The Committee was undertaking a review of the School Organisation Plan and had received an initial briefing from John Hegarty, Planning and Policy Development Officer (CESC) and Steve Turner, TVJSU on 19th December to assist the identification of the review remit.

The tripartite meeting to scope and project plan this review was to take place on 14th January, 2008 when results of the current Building Schools for the Future consultation results were known.

Adult, Health and Social Care Select Committee

The Committee would finalise its report on the Review of Alcohol Services at its meeting on 7th January, 2008 as the meeting on the 18th December was not quorate. This report would be considered by Cabinet on 17th January and not the 20th December as originally projected.

The Committee was to develop the scope and project plan for its review of audiology services in the borough. This review had now been superseded by a Cabinet referral to review the information that was being used to determine the future outcome of Parkview Residential Home. The Committee’s findings would be reported to Cabinet in March 2008.

The Committee was to receive presentation/information from Carole Langrick, Director of Strategic Service Development regarding the current position of Momentum - pathways to healthcare (new hospital location and service provision) on 7th January, 2008. The consultation period for the location of the new hospital site was being brought forward to June 2008 instead of January 2009.

The Committee would be consulted by the North Tees PCT and North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals Trust in January / February regarding its submission to the Healthcare Commission’s Annual Healthcheck.

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