Agenda and minutes

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

Noted that Councillor Markham was substituting for Councillor Faulkner.

(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 interests were declared.

(Head of Human Resources and Performance Management) To consider the attached report. The draft plan has been circulated separately.

The Panel made the following comments of the Draft Plan:

(1)        GU2 – The Panel asked that the Portfolio Holder give consideration to setting a higher recycling target for the authority;

(2)        HN1 – The Panel considered that the proposed target would not meet the objective. They noted that the Housing OS Panel were considering the potential of small development sites and considered that this objective should be revisited once the Panel had reported. Furthermore the Panel questioned whether the objective was achievable given the demand for affordable homes and the shortage of housing;

(3)        HN4 – The Panel considered that the proposed limit of £200,000 on private sector grants would not address the objective. i.e. more resources were likely to be required. The Panel also enquired whether the production of an Empty Homes Strategy was on target for 1/9/6

(4)        SC1 – The Panel thought that a local Performance Indicator mighht be an appropriate way to measure this action;

(5)        SC2 – The Panel thought that there was a need to have some measure of performance for the Community Policing Team although this would not necessarily be reflected in the Council Plan itself;

(6)        SC3 - The Panel thought that there was a need to have some measure of performance for the effectiveness of ASBOs although this might form a local Performance Indicator rather than be included in the Plan itself;

(7)        EP6 – The Panel felt that objective should be broader to encompass links with the wider business community not just the TCP’s and that a different type of Business Forum might be needed;

(8)        IP3 – The Panel noted the increase in resources in Planning and that the target would be to attain and maintain top quartile performance; and

(9)        IP5 – Agreed that the reference to the specific list of KPI’s should be replaced with ‘as identified by members each year’.

The Panel also considered that the Council’s Community Leadership role should included within the plan.

The Panel agreed proposed consultation arrangements but asked that in addition to discussion at Local Council’s Liaison Committee, the plan be sent to each Parish/Town Council individually seeking their comments. The Panel noted that it was the officers’ intention to seek advice from the Race Equality Council on groups to be approached during the consultation period. Also agreed that consultation on the plan should also be undertaken via the Council’s Website.

(Senior Performance Management Officer) To consider the attached report.

The Panel received proposals for a Policy and Strategy for Consultation and Engagement. Noted that each year the Cabinet would receive proposals under the Policy and that Overview and Scrutiny would then have a role in overseeing the programme.

The Policy was supported and the Panel asked that the Town Centre Partnerships be specifically listed under section 3 (consultees).

RECOMMENDED to Cabinet:

That subject to the amendment above, the policy be adopted.

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

(i)            Council Plan 2006-2010; and

(ii)            Consultation and Engagement Policy and Strategy.

To note that the next meeting of the Panel will held on 7 February 2006 at 7.00 p.m.

Next meeting 7 February 2006 at 7.00 p.m.