Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R L Foulkes, A J Jesson C L Strange and Added Members Mr P Thompson and Dr E van der Zee.

There were no declarations of members' interests made at this stage of the proceedings.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee meeting held on 26 January 2017 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman advised the meeting that he had attended the last meeting of the Executive held on 7 February 2017, along with Councillors A Bridges, C J T H Brewis, J D Hough and Mrs C A Talbot.  The Executive had considered four reports, which had been discussed at the last meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee held on 26 January 2017.  The comments from the Committee were duly presented to the Executive.

The Committee noted that in relation to the Draft Council Business Plan for 2017/18, the Executive had taken on board the Committee's comments in relation to having a separate measure for anti-social behaviour as well as the alcohol related anti-social behaviour.  The outcome of which had been that the Executive asked for a separate measure on anti-social behaviour to be included in the 2017/18 Council Business Plan.

(To consider any Call-Ins, should any be received)

The Committee was advised that no Call-Ins had been received.

(To consider any proposals for Scrutiny Reviews, should any be received)

The Committee was advised that no proposals for Scrutiny Reviews had been received.

One member highlighted that the Review of Scrutiny Report considered by the Council at its meeting on 16 December 2016 had agreed that an annual workshop for all members and senior officers to inform the development of the scrutiny work programmes for each scrutiny committee for the year ahead should take place in March.  The Committee agreed that the next Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, scheduled to be held on 30 March 2017 should be a one item agenda, to consider potential topics for each of the scrutiny committee's work programmes for 2017/18.  Officers advised that all Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny Committees would be invited to attend the above said meeting.

(To consider any Councillor Calls for Action, should any be received)

The Committee was advised that no Councillor Calls for Action had been received.

(To receive a report by Jasmine Sodhi (Performance and Equalities Manager), which presents Quarter 3 performance against the Council Business Plan 2016/17)

Consideration was given to a report from Jasmine Sodhi, Performance and Equalities Manager, which invited the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to review the Quarter 3 performance against the Council Business Plan and highlight any recommendations or further actions required.

The Committee was reminded that the Council Business Plan for 2016/17 had been approved by Council on 19 February 2016; and once Quarter 3 performance information had been considered by the Executive at its meeting on 7 March 2017, and feedback had been considered, the performance information would then be made publicly available on the Council's website.

It was highlighted to the Committee that due to a technical issue, measure 78 relating to the amount of Household Waste Recycled, had not achieved the target of 55% recycled.  As a result, two of the headline figures relating to the 15 commissioning strategies reported at the bottom of page 17 needed to be amended to read '8 had performed really well (all measures achieved)' and '4 had mixed performance (some measures achieved and some measures had not been achieved)'.

The Committee noted that the data relating to Chlamydia diagnoses for Quarter 3 was not available; this was due to data quality issues between nationally published information and performance data submitted by the Council's provider.  It was noted further that this matter was being investigated and it was expected that the data would be available for Quarter 4.

Appendix A to the report highlighted to the Committee the proposed changes to reporting performance against the Council Business Plan 2016/17.  Two changes were detailed relating to 'Increase public confidence in how we tackle domestic abuse', and 'Alcohol treatment'.  It was highlighted that the relevant Executive Councillors had been consulted and reasons for the changes relating to the above said areas was fully detailed in Appendix A.

Links to performance measures by service areas were provided in Appendix B for the Committee's information.

During discussion, reference was made to the following issues:-

·         In relation to the measure for permanent admissions to residential and nursing homes - Some concern was expressed as to the number of nursing homes de-registering as nursing homes to become residential homes.  This then resulted in a reduction in the number of beds available to meet nursing need.  Some reference was also made as to whether the measure could be separated out to provide information pertaining to admissions for residential homes and nursing homes, so that a clearer picture could be obtained to see whether the loss of nursing homes was having an impact;

·         Training and support being provided to carers as early as possible to help them sustain their caring role;

·         The definition of high risk premises visited by Trading Standards and whether the definition included illegal alcohol premises.  The Committee was advised that the description under the measure relating mainly to food premises which had been categorised by the Food Standards Agency, DEFRA and the Better Regulation Delivery Office as needing an annual compliance visit to food premises.  Officers agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

(To receive a report by Nigel West (Head of Democratic Services and Statutory Scrutiny Officer), which enables the Committee to consider both its own work programme and the scrutiny committee work programmes for 2017)

Consideration was given to a report which enabled the Committee to consider its own work programme and the work programmes from the scrutiny committees for 2017.

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

There were no changes to the published work programme.

Members supported cancelling the meeting scheduled to be held on 27 April 2017.

Adults Scrutiny Committee

There were no changes to the published work programme.

Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee

There were no changes to the published work programme.

The Committee noted that the next meeting scheduled to be held on 10 March 2017 was a full agenda.  It was further noted that the agenda included an item on the Government's consultation regarding the national funding formula for schools.  It was reported that a couple of Head Teachers were being invited to attend for the Sector Led Model for School Improvement item so that the Committee was able to find out how the peer review model was working for schools.

Community and Public Safety Scrutiny Committee

There were no changes to the published work programme.  It was noted that an additional meeting had been scheduled for 1 March 2017, to consider two pre-decision scrutiny items.

Economic Scrutiny Committee

There were no changes to the published work programme. 

It was highlighted that as there were no items on the agenda for the meeting scheduled on 28 March 2017, it was the intention to cancel the meeting unless any urgent business came forward.

The Chairman advised that a very successful meeting had taken place on 21 February 2017 at the Think Tank.

Environmental Scrutiny Committee and Flood and Drainage Management Scrutiny Committee

There were no changes to the published work programme.

Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire

The Chairman advised the Committee of two issues, which had considered by the Health Scrutiny Committee:-

            Grantham Accident and Emergency – Overnight Closure

The Committee noted that the Secretary of State for Health had passed the Health Scrutiny Committee's referral on the overnight closure of Grantham Accident and Emergency Department to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP).  The IRP would be carrying out an initial assessment by 22 March 2017, the results from which would be submitted to the Secretary of State with advice on whether the referral was suitable for a full IRP review. 

            Community Pharmacy

It was reported that a letter had been sent to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health advising him of the Health Scrutiny Committee's concerns in relation to the Government's policy and funding settlement entitled Community Pharmacy 2016/17 and Beyond.  The response received referred to the scheme devised to assist rural pharmacies, but did not address the issues of consultation.  It was noted that a further response was being considered.

            Work Programme

The Committee noted that for the 15 March 2017 meeting there would be additional items to those listed, these were an update report from Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; and the NHS England's Congenital Heart Disease Consultation.

            Working Group Activity

It was highlighted that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.