Agenda item

(To receive a report by Nigel West (Head of Democratic Services and Statutory Scrutiny Officer) which provides an update on the current scrutiny reviews and invites the Board to consider submissions for topics for future scrutiny reviews)

Consideration was given to a report from Nigel West (Head of Democratic Services and Statutory Scrutiny Officer) which provided an update on the current scrutiny reviews and invited the Board to consider submissions for topics for future scrutiny reviews.

Current Reviews

The Impact of Part-Night Street Lighting Scrutiny Review had heard a range of evidence in order to form a better understanding of the matters and to enable the panel to provide recommendations to the Executive.

The scrutiny review on the Future IT Provision to Support Council Working Practices had recommended that, before consideration of future technologies could be properly considered, certain building blocks needed to be in place.  Although the emphasis of the review had been on future IT provision, it had not been possible to separate past and present circumstances from future plans.  The Chairman of the Scrutiny Panel was, therefore, of the view that a six-month review would not allow sufficient opportunity to delve into the detail of the topic and suggested that a more in-depth study within a working group setting could make a greater contribution.  With that in mind, it was proposed to establish a working group of members and officers to allow member engagement in this area.  Volunteers were sought from members with a particular interest in IT, specifically relating to service delivery.

The Chairman invited the Board to ask questions, during which the following points were noted:-

·       The Board indicated their support for the proposal to establish a working group to consider IT provision;

·       Councillors M A Whittington, B Adams and A Bridges volunteered to sit on the working group; and

·       The Head of Democratic Services and Statutory Scrutiny Officer agreed to contact all Councillors to seek any further volunteers for the working group.

Future Review Topics

Five topics had been received for the Board to consider for future review topics:-

·       Roundabout Sponsorship;

·       Transitions;

·       Implications of the Children and Social Work Act 2017;

·       Social Mobility; and

·       Community Cohesion.

During discussion, the following points were noted:-

·       It was confirmed that the option of Roundabout Sponsorship had been supported by the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee although it was acknowledged that this review may impact on resources in that service area following completion of the Impact of Part-Night Street Lighting review;

·       The suggestion of Transitions was supported by the Chairmen of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee and the Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee to consider the transition of children into adulthood;

·       It was agreed that a report to the Board in relation to Social Mobility may be more appropriate in the first instance;

·       In relation to Community Cohesion, it was reported that the District Councils were already liaising with various communities in their areas to establish links.  It was agreed to consider this suggestion in the future once the District Councils had established a way forward; and

·       The topics of Obesity; and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and S106 agreements in relation to NHS contributions were suggested for future topics for consideration.

At 12.50pm, Mr S C Rudman, Added Member, left the meeting and did not return.

RESOLVED

1.    That the report be noted;

2.    That a working group to carry on the work so far undertaken by Scrutiny Panel A in relation to the scrutiny review entitled "Future IT Provision to Support Council Working Practices" be established; and

3.    That "Roundabout Sponsorship" and "Transitions" be progressed as the next two scrutiny reviews.

At 12.56pm, Councillors R Wootten and R D Butroid left the meeting and did not return.