Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Big plans, bright future

Executive Scrutiny Committee Minutes

Date:
Tuesday, 13th May, 2008
Time:
9.30 a.m.
Place:
Lecture Hall, 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 David Coleman, Cllr Mick Eddy, Cllr Colin Leckonby, Cllr Mrs Jean O'Donnell, Cllr Maurice Perry, Cllr Mrs Maureen Rigg, Cllr Mrs Allison Trainer, Cllr Bill Woodhead
Officers:
N. Hart; F Shayler (LD).
Apologies for absence:
were submitted on behalf of Harrington, Narroway, Mrs Nesbitt, Sherris, Smith and Womphrey.
Item Description Decision
Public
EXC
5/08		 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Preamble
 
EXC
6/08		 MINUTES FOR SIGNING - 1ST AND 10TH APRIL 2008
 The minutes of the meeting held on 1st and 10th April 2008 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
EXC
7/08		 SCRUTINY IMPROVEMENT PLAN /FEEDBACK FROM AWAY DAY
Preamble
RESOLVED that:-

1. The feedback received from the Executive Scrutiny Away Day be noted and the content of the Scrutiny Improvement Plan for 2008/2009 be approved.

2. An update be provided at the next meeting on the proposals for sharing of Scrutiny Review information between other authorities.

3. A presentation be provided on Housing Options to the next meeting.
EXC
8/08		 REPORT ON CHAIRS UPDATES ON THE SCOPING OF FORTHCOMING REVIEWS
Preamble
RESOLVED that the scope and project plans for each of the reviews be noted.
EXC
9/08		 REPORT ON CHAIRS UPDATES
Preamble
RESOLVED that the Chair's updates be noted.
EXC
10/08		 FORWARD PLAN
Preamble
RESOLVED that the Statutory Forward Plan be noted.

Preamble

ItemPreamble
EXC
5/08		Councillor Gibson declared a personal/non prejudicial interest further to being a Tristar Board Member.

Councillor Mrs Trainer declared a personal/non prejudicial interest further to being a Tristar Board Member.

Councillor Woodhead declared a personal/non prejudicial interest further to being a Tristar Board Member.
EXC
7/08		Members were provided with feedback from the Executive Scrutiny Away Day held on 27th February 2008 and were requested to consider the content of the revised Scrutiny Improvement Plan for 2008/2009.

Following the introduction of the Council's new scrutiny co-ordination arrangements, a review was carried out, during the Autumn of 2006, using the Centre for Public Scrutiny's Self Evaluation Framework. This posed a number of questions based on the four principles of good scrutiny. A questionnaire was issued to all Members and discussion groups were held with Select Committee Members, Cabinet Members and Officers. As a result of the review a Scrutiny Improvement Plan was developed and progress against the improvement plan has been monitored by the Executive Scrutiny Committee.

Areas for development incorporated within the improvement plan included:

· Raising the profile of scrutiny within the wider community
· Engagement of the wider select committee membership
· Developing links with the community
· Making an impact on service delivery

At the time of the review, it was agreed that the questionnaire would be issued to Members each year to continue to identify areas for improvement and track progress.

An Executive Scrutiny Away Day was held on 27 February 2008, which discussed a range of issues regarding the developing role of scrutiny, pressures on the work programme and constitutional issues as well as feedback from Members on this year's self evaluation questionnaire.

A summary of the key points from the Away Day were provided for Members information.

Discussion was also held on training for Health Select Committee and it was felt that this should be expanded to the Corporate, Adult Services and Social Inclusion Select Committee as well as any other member due to the wider remit of the Select Committees following the constitutional changes. It was stated that training would be required for Housing and Community Safety Select Committee to enable them to deal with referrals from the implementation of the Police and Justice Act and the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act.

Discussion was held on 'Momentum' and it was felt that input was required on the protocol for the Joint Committee. The Chairman would meet with Councillor Ann Cains and appropriate Officers to discuss further.

Members discussed the sharing of information of current scrutiny reviews with other Councils as detailed within the improvement plan. An update report would be provided at the next meeting.

Members discussed the Housing Options proposals and requested that a presentation be provided at the next meeting.
EXC
8/08		Members were provided with the scope and project plan for the following Select Committees:-

- Corporate, Adult Services & Social Inclusion - Older People Strategy
- Arts, Leisure & Culture - Tees Active
- Housing & Community Safety - Registered Social Landlords
- Environment - Customer First
- Regeneration & Transport - Highway Network Management
- Children & Young People - Obesity

Each of the Chairs highlighted the first reviews for 2008/09. Health Select Committee were delaying their review of Audiology awaiting the outcome of the review of audiology that Middlesbrough Borough Council had recently undertaken.
EXC
9/08		The Chairman of the following Select Committees provided an update on their current reviews/work programme:-

Corporate and Social Inclusion Select Committee - Review of Older People Strategy and Task and Finish Group - Review of Community and Voluntary Sector

Arts, Leisure and Culture Select Committee - Review of Tees Active

Housing and Community Safety Select Committee - Review of Registered Social Landlords

Environment Select Committee - Review of Customer First and Task and Finish Group - Review of Vermin Control

Regeneration and Transport Select Committee - Review of Highway Network Management

Children and Young People Select Committee - Review of Obesity

Health Select Committee - Review of the location and services of a new health centre, Momentum, and the development of a Local Involvement Network (LINk).
EXC
10/08		Members were provided with the Statutory Forward Plan for 1 May to 31 August 2008.

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