Agenda item

To consider the attached report on the six monthly work programme.

Mr Hill, the Senior Democratic Services Officer took the Committee through their current Work Programme reviewing the 6 months of work carried out so far. He reported that all the recommendations made so far by this Committee had been adopted during the last six months. He noted that the work programme process would be reviewed in February in light of the Overview and Scrutiny Review Task and Finish Panel’s report.

(a)        Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Committee noted the work covered so far, and that:

·         The Work Programme was on target for completion;

·         That no Task and Finish Panels had been set up this year; and

·         That there were two issues pending; officers were awaiting the PICK forms.

(b)       Housing Standing Panel

The Chairman of the Housing Standing Panel, Councillor Murray took the meeting through their recent work programme. The Committee noted that they were tasked to review parking enforcement which would be looked at in January.

(c)        Constitution and Member Services Standing Panel

The Chairman of the Constitution and Member Services Standing Panel, Councillor Philip took the meeting through their recent work programme. It was noted that this meeting had already covered the report on Licensing and that the report on the Vice Chairman of Council should be coming to the January meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The petition scheme would be considered later on in the year. Councillor Philip noted that he would be producing a PICK form on the constitutional position on questions at council and those without notice. He noted that the next Overview and Scrutiny Committee would not be held until after the next Constitution and Member Services Panel meeting and suggested that the Committee send this directly to his Panel to look at, as the issue was clearly and constitutional matter. This was agreed by the Committee.

AGREED: That the impending PICK form looking at the constitutional position on questions at Council be added to the work programme of the Panel.

(d)       Safer Cleaner Greener Standing Panel

The Chairman of the Panel Councillor Lea, took the Committee through the recent work of her Panel, noting the changes in CCTV that was published in the Member’s Bulletin, that recycling in flat blocks had now mostly been rolled out. She noted that the work of the Highways Panel was progressing very slowly and that the Panel was also looking at the minutes of NEPP meetings.

(e)       Planning Services Standing Panel

The Committee noted the progress made by this Panel during the year.

(f)        Finance and Performance Management Standing Panel

The Chairman of the Panel Councillor Lion took the committee through their recent work. He noted they had received the financial issues paper at their last meeting and that the need for more saving was highlighted. They had a discussion on future fees and charges and noted that the only viable way to raise revenue was by raising parking fees. They had looked at the ICT strategy and the cost of a new IT licence for the council and had requested a survey of members but noted that the response to this was very poor. The Sub-group looking at the allocations of cost (recharging) had now submitted an interim report which was on this agenda.

(g)       Task and Finish Panels

No Task and Finish Panels were established this year.