Agenda and minutes

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

Noted that there were no substitute members.

(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.

Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs M Sartin declared a personal interest by virtue of being one of the Council’s Member representatives on the Epping Forest Local Strategic Partnership. She declared that her interest was not prejudicial and she would remain in the meeting.

Attached to this agenda is a copy of the proposal presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which led to the setting up of this Panel.  However, Members now need to determine the scope of the study and produce a set of Terms of Reference, which reflect those objectives for approval by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. To this end a Task and Finish Planning Form is attached.

Members will have also received a copy of the Government Consultation issued in December 2005 separately. This document has also been published separately on the website for members information.

In order to help the Panel, a set of ‘Notes for Guidance’ for the operating of a Task and Finish Panel is also attached. This sets out how a Task and Finish Panel should ideally go about scoping its programme of work, gathering information and evidence and finally reporting back to the main Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the larger Council. A draft layout for a final report is also attached.

The Panel were asked to determine the scope of their work and produce a Terms of Reference. The Panel had before them a copy of the government consultation document entitled ‘Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP) – Shaping their future’ and the request form submitted to the OSC in May 2006 which led to the setting up of this Panel.

The Joint Chief Executive (Community) reported some background. He referred to  the aims and visions behind the Partnership set out in the Community Strategy 2004 - 20. He referred to funding arrangements and unease over the alleged democratic deficit in the LSP which the proposals sought to address through giving local authorities a greater role.

The Panel noted the consultation contained significant proposals which sought to  pass responsibility for the LSP as a whole to the Local Authority Executive. It also indicated greater involvement in the partnership for Cabinet and ‘backbench’ ward members and that the Community Strategy should be a ‘sustainable community strategy’ be coterminous and closely liked to the new development planning framework which the Council had to produce.

Important questions for determination were the opportunities the proposals presented the Council, its future role and how it was to carry out this new role.

The Governments recommendations would be published in the Local Government White Paper expected in November 2006, however it was for Local Partnerships to determine how they wished to carryout the proposals.

It was reported that the Council’s Member representatives for this year on the District LSP were the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development Councillor Mrs A Grigg and the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Protection Councillor Mrs M Sartin. It was also reported that many of the Partnership’s themed action groups were chaired by EFDC Heads of Services and other key agencies including the Police and PCT.

Reference was made to the County LSP which would deliver the Local Area Agreements and current views on whether the County Strategy should be made up of District LSP strategies.

It was reported that the Partnership had its own performance targets and a performance framework. The Partnership did not have a budget but was funded by donations from the constituent agencies who received money directly from successful bids. Under the new role envisaged, responsibility for the aims and funding for the LSP would rest with the Council.

The Epping Forest LSP liaised with the Harlow Partnership but not other LSPs in the region as there was little common ground between the diverse areas covered. Noted that Aidan Thomas who chaired the co-ordinating group for the District LSP would be able to comment on liaison arrangements between partnerships.

The LSP network was to hold a meeting in Newmarket in November 2006 about the government consultation which the Panel might wish to attend.

The Panel asked whether the LSP meetings were open to the public? They also expressed a wish to attend action group meetings. The Policy and Research Officer undertook to find out when the next action group meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Having agreed the Scope of the Reviews and the Terms of Reference, it is necessary to agree a Work Programme to achieve the outcomes.

The Panel agreed that a meeting should be arranged for 30 August 2006 at 7.00pm.

The Panel requested that this next meeting be attended by Aidan Thomas, the former Chairman of the Epping Forest LSP, David Butler, the current Chairman and Marina Sherriff the Community Strategy and Partnership Manager. 

Agreed that a further meeting be arranged for 27 September 2006. Agreed that representatives of the Partnerships and the EFDC officers involved with the Action Groups be invited to this.

Agreed that a meeting also be arranged for 25 October 2006.

ACTION.

Democratic Services to invite the representatives indicated to next meeting and produce work programme.

None.

To be agreed.

The next meeting was agreed to be held on 30 August 2006 at 7.00 pm and then on 27 September and 25 October 2006.