Chris Holme, Acting Corporate Director, Resources, introduced the report on the Best Value Strategy and Action Plan in relation to Grants.

The Commissioners considered the report and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1. To approve the Best Value plan in relation to Grants

The Deputy Mayor noted the tabled amendments.

DECISION

1. To approve the Best Value plans in relation to Property and Communications;

2. To approve the Publicity Plan

3. To note the remaining Best Value Plans.

Action by:

HEAD OF PAID SERVICE (S. HALSEY)

(Service Head, Corporate Strategy and Equality (L. Russell)

Stephen Halsey, Head of Paid Service, introduced the report. Members attention was drawn to the tabled report which was an update on the version contained in the agenda. It was explained that all the Best Value Plans had been seen by the Commissioners and that it was for the Mayor to agree those in relation to Property, Communications and the Publicity Plan.

It was emphasised that this was the first iteration of the plan and that it would change and develop over time. The Mayor, Members of the Executive and of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were thanked for their contributions. Members would be kept informed of any changes to the plans.

The Deputy Mayor welcomed the report. On the issue of trust between officers and Members he asked that it be stated that he considered that officers displayed the highest standards of trust.

RESOLVED

1. To approve the Best Value plans in relation to Property and Communications;

2. To approve the Publicity Plan

3. To note the remaining Best Value Plans.

The Committee received a report that outlined the draft Best Value Plan that had been prepared in response to the Secretary of State’s Directions.  The Committee was asked to consider and comment upon the attached draft Best Value Action Plan prior to its submission to the Commissioners for their review and agreement, in order that the Council complies with the one of the directions issued by the Secretary of State on 17th December 2014.  The main points of the discussion may be summarised as follows.

• In response to concerns regarding the level of member engagement in the process to prepare the Action Plan.  The Committee was advised that LBTH had, had to work within the tight timescales laid down the Secretary of State undertaken a significant amount of work.  The Committee was also assured that there would be updates on the Action Plan every six months and any evidence relating to the Action Plan would be provided in a timely fashion.  Notwithstanding, these assurances regarding the development of the dialogue with regard to the Action Plan the Committee indicated that that it would have wished to have commenced this dialogue earlier to avoid having to retrospectively include councillors views into the process e.g. The Procurement Plan.
• The Committee heard that ideally councillors would have been engaged more effectively but this is the start of what will be a very long process.
• The Committee indicated that they would wish to see the Council’s constitution and governance arrangements subject to a review.
• The Committee heard that with regard to East End Life and the Media Advisers LBTH has learned from the findings of Office of Communications (OFCOM) and set in place mechanisms to address those concerns regarding East End Life and protocols regarding the Media Advisers who are subject to monitoring from outside the Mayor’s Office.  The Committee heard that East End Life is code compliant as if offers value for money and is subject to an ongoing dialogue with the Commissioners.
• The Committee indicated that they would wish to be involved in the review of the communications element of the Best Value Action Plan.
• The Committee heard that it would be engaged in dialogue regarding the communications element of the Plan.  In addition, whilst the Commissioners have not yet taken a view on East End Life at this stage of the process if that was to change then there will be a report back to this Committee.
• The Committee heard that with regard to the checks and balances for Main Stream Grants (MSG) and the Community Chest.  It is intended that all grant giving will be within a common framework and that the Commissioners will determine the structure and direction of both the MSG and innovative capacity building grants.
• The Committee stated that it would wish to see the outcomes and goals in relation to the Plan.
• The Committee indicated that it would wish to develop a dialogue with the Commissioners about the process.
• The Committee heard that the entire grant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7