Agenda and minutes

To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Select Committee noted that Councillor R Baldwin substituted for Councillor D Wixley.

To agree the notes of the meeting of the Select Committee held on 27 November 2018.

            RESOLVED:

That the notes of the last meeting of the Governance Select Committee held on 27 November 2018 be agreed.

To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a pecuniary or a non-pecuniary interest under the Code of Conduct, members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 9 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements. This requires the declaration of a non-pecuniary interest in any matter before an overview and scrutiny 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 9 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an overview and scrutiny meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

There were no declarations of interest made pursuant to the Members’ Code of Conduct.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the terms of reference of the Select Committee for the current municipal year. These are attached as an appendix to this agenda, along with the ongoing work programme for the Committee and Members are requested to review the terms of reference and progress towards the achievement of the work programme.

(1)             Terms of Reference

The Committee noted the Terms of Reference.

(2)             Work Programme

The Committee noted the current Work Programme.

To consider the attached report.

The Senior Project Manager presented a report on the Corporate Plan 2018-2023, Performance Report for Quarter 3 (2018/19). The Corporate Plan 2018-2023 was the authority’s key strategic planning document. The Plan laid out the journey the Council would take to transform the organisation to be ‘Ready for the Future’. The plan linked the key external drivers influencing Council services, with a set of corporate aims and objectives, grouped under three corporate ambitions:

§  Stronger Communities;

§  Stronger Place; and

§  Stronger Council.

A Corporate Specification for each year (previously called the Key Action Plan) detailed how the Corporate Plan was being delivered through operational objectives, with these in turn linked to annual Service Business Plans.

The success of the Corporate Plan was assessed through the achievement of a set of benefits, each measured through one or more performance indicators, which focussed on what the Council achieved for customers. Strategic Board, Cabinet and Scrutiny Committees had overview and scrutiny roles to drive improvement in performance and ensure corrective action was taken where necessary.

Councillor J M Whitehouse referred to page 17 of the agenda 8.1.1 Gain approval for electoral review and asked if he could have clarity on how the 75% progress was made up.

The Senior Project Manager advised in Q1 the progress was 25%, Q2 50% and this now Q3 75% and was therefore time elapsed rather than progress made.

To consider the attached report.

The Senior Project Manager presented a report on Equality Objectives 2018-2022 (2018/19) – 6 monthly reporting and compliance with the public sector equality duty. The Equality Act 2010 placed a number of responsibilities on the Council, including a Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)  to have due regard to equality in the exercise of its functions, with the need to eliminate discrimination, to advance equality of opportunity and to foster good relations between persons who shared a relevant characteristic and those who do not. Further specific responsibilities were introduced requiring the adoption of equality objectives to improve equality for service users and employees, to carry out equality analysis, and to publish equality information.

In April 2018, the Cabinet agreed four equality objectives for the four years from 2018 to 2022, designed to help the Council meet the aims of the PSED. This report reflects progress against these objectives at the beginning of March 2019 and other work to ensure compliance with the Council’s equality duty.

She highlighted action 1. on page 30 which was marked red. This action was behind schedule as it was on the action plan for the Customer Services Development role with a medium priority due for completion in June 2019.

Councillor J M Whitehouse highlighted action 4. Page 28, and asked what were the outcomes from the equality training available for all employees.

The Senior Project Manager replied that all diversity awareness and diversity for Managers, as well as an introduction to equalities through e learning were all part of the regular training programme for staff.

Councillor J M Whitehouse asked what percentage of staff had done the equality and diversity training.

The Service Director, Planning advised that they did not have the figures to hand but he would find out and report back either through these minutes or in the Council Bulletin.

To identify any matters to be reported to the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chairman reported that there were no reports to be made to the next O&S Committee on 16 April 2019.