Agenda and minutes

(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 , Mrs J H Whitehouse and Mrs A Cooper declared a general  personal interest by virtue of being members of the Epping Forest Local Strategic Partnership. They declared that their interests were not prejudicial and that they would remain in the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Panel (attached).

Noted.

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

Noted that there were no substitute members.

(Lead officer – J Scott/Chairman of Panel) Having heard from some of the Chairmen of the various LSP Action Groups and representatives of the Partners involved, it is now timely to review the evidence gathered to date, identify which elements of the terms of reference (attached) are still outstanding to take them forward and give consideration to the task of drawing conclusions and making a final report.

Members are reminded of the agreed process as detailed within the guidance notes (attached).

Members should also give consideration to who should be asked to prepare elements (or the entire) report.

For members information we have included within the pack all the previous notes of meetings.

The Joint Chief Executive  (Community) drew attention to the government consultation document ‘ LSPs – Shaping their future’.

He referred to the intention to pass responsibility for the LSP as a whole to the Local Authority Executive and the indication that the Council itself should become the lead agency for its activity and accountable for its work.

The Panel had before them copies of the notes for all their pervious meetings and their terms of reference.

The Panel were asked to consider and begin to draft their final report and agreed the following:

(a)        EFDC/ Member involvement.

Agreed that the Council should not take the lead in appointing the Chairman of the EF LSP. Agreed that the post should continue to be open to any constituent partners based on merit as per the existing arrangements.

Noted the value Members could add to the LSP as the democratically elected representatives.  Agreed that back bench Member involvement in the Action Groups be encouraged and promoted by way of promotional items in suitable outlets and the Members Bulletin.

Agreed that the Council  should continue to be represented on the LSP Steering Board by two Portfolio Holders. The Panel feltthat this level of representation was proportionate and ensured a fair balance between the agencies. The Panel considered whether the Leader of the Council should become a member of the steering group.

Agreed that the issue of the LSP should be ascribed to a specific Portfolio to present reports on the Partnership and provide clear accountability. Agreed that the subject matter would best fit in with the Community Wellbeing Portfolio. Agreed that this Portfolio Holder should be involved in the monitoring arrangements for the Partnership and therefore should not be one of the Portfolio Holder representatives on the Steering Board.

Agreed that a procedure be established to formally recognise the Councils Member representatives on the LSP and Action Groups. Agreed that steps be taken to enable them to report back to full Council on activities to keep Members up to date on current work activities.

Noted a report from Councillor Mrs P Smith on her experience at a recent GO –East

Seminar on LSPs. The seminar was attended by six other representatives from agencies in the region and highlighted the good practices of the District LSP. 

(b)            Scrutiny involvement

Agreed that the role of scrutiny needed to be increased and that it should become a key forum for monitoring and holding to account the arrangements. Agreed that the Chairman of the Partnership should be asked to attend an Overview and Scrutiny meeting once a year. Agreed that the Council’s Member representatives should also be subject to Member scrutiny.

(c)            LAA/County LSP

Agreed that the LSP should be actively involved in the decision making process for the LAA funding steams and  should liaise with the County LSP to promote and secure local needs and facilitate two tier working.

Noted the opportunities in the white paper concerning two tier working with the County. Noted the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

11 December 2006  - 7.30 pm CR1.

Noted that the next meeting would be held on 15 December 2006 at 7.30.