Agenda and minutes

(Head of Research and Democratic Services)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

No substitutes had been appointed to the meeting.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

To consider and agree the notes of the meetings of the Panel held on 16 and 30 January and 7 February 2006. (attached)

The notes of the meetings of the Panel held on 16 and 30 January and 7 February 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the draft Work Programme for the Panel. This is attached.

Noted that the draft programme for 2006-07 would be developed for the next meeting to show the cyclical items for consideration.

(Head of Human Resources and Performance Management) To consider the attached report.

The Panel reviewed the draft format of the BVP for 2006/07.

Recommending:

That the proposed format and structure of the Council’s draft Best Value Performance Plan for 2006/07 be approved with the exception that the Customer Charter be placed nearer the front of the document.

(Head of Human Resources and Performance Management) To consider the attached report.

Agreed:

(1)            That the Council’s performance in relation to the Key Performance Indicators for 2005/06 be noted; and

(2)            That proposals for the adoption of Key Performance Indicators for 2006/07, be considered at the next meeting.

(Head of Human Resources and Performance Management) To consider the attached report.

It was noted that the originally agreed consultation timescale for the Council Plan did not meet the requirements of the Code of Practice on Consultation and Policy Appraisal, agreed with the local voluntary and community sectors as part of the Epping Forest District Local Compact, that identified that wherever possible a twelve week period should be allowed for consultation with the voluntary sector.

In view of the need to ensure that consultation on the Council’s future priorities was as inclusive and accessible as possible, it was considered appropriate for the consultation period on the draft Council Plan to be extended

Noted:

That the timescale for consultation on the draft Council Plan for 2006 to 2010 has been extended by a period of two months.

To consider which reports are ready to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting.

Draft Best Value Performance Plan.

To consider the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel.

Noted that the next meeting would be held on 1 June 2006.