Scrutiny Committee Minutes - 10 April 2008

Present:

Sc/77/4/08 Minutes

Minutes Sc/56/2/08 to Sc/75/2/08 of the meeting of this Committee on 14 February 2008 were approved as a correct record of those proceedings with the inclusion of the previously omitted appendix showing the new style of reporting performance information.

Sc/78/4/08 Declarations of Interest/Party Whip

There was no party whip on either the Conservative or Liberal Democrat Groups.

Sc/79/4/08 Report from Policy Committee Shadows

The Committee received oral reports from Councillor G R Savage about the meeting of Community and Economy Committee on 6 March 2008 and from Councillor Mrs G M Lumley about the meetings of Environment Committee on 20 March 2008 and Joint Community and Economy and Environment Committee on 26 March 2008.

Following the resolution by the Joint Community and Economy and Environment Committee to defer a decision on the Core Strategy, the Chief Executive advised the Committee that a joint cross-party Member working group had been established to consider the Strategy before it is brought back to another joint meeting.

Sc/80/4/08 Information on PIs requested by Scrutiny Committee

The Committee considered report TS16-08 of the Director of Technical Services which provided Members with additional information on a number of Best Value Comparison Indicators as requested by the Committee at its meeting on 14 February 2008.

During consideration of BV91a (% household residents served by kerbside collection for recyclables), Members raised the possibility of shredding plastic to condense volume of plastic. The Senior Assistant Director (Community Services) stated that this was an option that could be considered in an evaluation of the refuse and recycling services prior to retendering in 2012.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Reasons for decision

1. Scrutiny Committee on 14 February 2008 requested further information in respect of the PIs:
   • BV91a (% household residents served by a kerbside collection for recyclables)
   • (% general user satisfaction with cleanliness of the environment)
   • a (score against a checklist of best practice for Environmental Health)
2. The report has indicated the background and performance in connection with these indicators.

Sc/81/4/08 Internal Audit: Strategic Audit Plan 2008-10

The Committee considered report F31/08 of the Director of Finance which sought approval of the Strategic Audit Plan.

RESOLVED that the Strategic Audit Plan attached to these minutes as Appendix A (PDF: 69 Kb / 4 pages) be approved.

Sc/82/4/08 Internal Audit - Completed Audit Reports

The Committee considered report F41/08 of the Director of Finance which advised Members of the findings and recommendations of reports that have recently been completed by the Council's Internal Audit Service.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Sc/83/4/08 Implementation of Internal Audit Recommendations

The Committee considered report F42/08 of the Director of Finance which set out progress on implementing the agreed recommendations from the internal audit reports.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Sc/84/4/08 Scrutiny Reviews 2006/7 - Progress Report

The Committee considered report PP24/08 of the Director of Policy and Performance which updated Members on the progress of the reviews into The Role and Reporting Procedures of Policy 'Shadows' and Representatives of Outside Bodies and Parishing Penrith.

RESOLVED that:

1. The review into the Role and Reporting Procedures of Policy 'Shadows' and Representatives on Outside Bodies be halted and only reconsidered should there be no change to the political management arrangements
2. The review into Parishing Penrith be signed off having been implemented.

Reasons for decision

To request that Members sign off the reviews which have been completed or superseded by ongoing work.

Sc/85/4/08 'Living Well Beyond Retirement' Scrutiny Review - Final Report

The Committee considered report PP25/08 of the Chairman of the Review Group which asked Members to consider the final report into services for older people in Eden, entitled 'Living Well Beyond Retirement'.

Councillor H W Threlkeld withdrew from the meeting at 8.04pm and rejoined at 8.08pm.

During consideration of the item, Members highlighted the impact that post office closures may have upon older people in the district. The Committee also wished to place on record their thanks to the Scrutiny Officer, Gillian Kartach, for working extra hours in order to complete the report.

Motion by Councillor G M Lumley
Seconded by Councillor M D Eyles

That:

1. The final report and recommendations be approved.
2. The report be distributed widely to stakeholders, partners, voluntary bodies and residents of the district, and also to relevant departments and policy committees of Eden District Council.
3. A report be brought before this Committee in six months time to ensure that actions have been taken up.

Amendment by Councillor Mrs P A Bell

That the words "and voluntary" be inserted immediately after the words "investigate the public" in recommendation six of the report.

The amendment fell for the want of a seconder.

RESOLVED that:

1. The final report and recommendations attached to these minutes at Appendix B (PDF: 216 Kb / 51 pages) be approved.
2. The report be distributed widely to stakeholders, partners, voluntary bodies and residents of the district, and also to relevant departments and policy committees of Eden District Council.
3. A report be brought before this Committee in six months time to ensure that actions have been taken up.

Reasons for decision

The Review Group has made nine recommendations where they feel can make the most difference. The Group was aware of the financial constraints of all the bodies involved in this subject and have tried to suggest improvements which will not add a great burden to budgets.

Sc/86/4/08 Scrutiny Annual Report

The Committee considered report PP23/08 of the Director of Policy and Performance which presented to Members the 2007/8 Annual Report for approval.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Annual Report attached to these minutes at Appendix C (PDF: 59 Kb / 9 pages) be approved.
2. The report be forwarded to Council for approval.

Reason for decision

As part of the Constitution an annual report must be published and approved.

Sc/87/4/08 Joint Scrutiny - The Proposed Way Forward

The Committee considered report PP26/08 of the Director of Policy and Performance which asked Members to endorse the recommendations of the Cumbria Joint Overview and Scrutiny meeting.

RESOLVED that the proposals of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny meeting attached to these minutes at Appendix D (PDF: 14 Kb / 2 pages) be approved.

Reasons for decision

All the local authorities contributing to the Cumbria Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee needs to be in agreement to the proposed way forward.

Sc/88/4/08 Chairman's Urgent Items

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman acknowledged the contribution from the co-optees whose terms of office end in May. Under the new proposed arrangements, the Scrutiny Panels will have the power to commission specialist advisers to assist on particular reviews.

The Chairman also passed on his best wishes to Councillor H W Threlkeld who was due to go into hospital.

Sc/89/4/08 Exclusion of Press and Public

RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, members of the public (including the press) be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Sc/90/4/08 Minutes

Minute Sc/76/2/08 of the meeting of this Committee on 14 February 2008 was approved as a correct record of those proceedings.

The meeting closed at 8.26pm