The report had not been published five clear days in advance of the meeting.   However, the Chair of the Committee may indicate that he was satisfied that it was necessary to consider information about the Council’s Scrutiny Appointments and Terms of Reference without that consideration being delayed to a later meeting.

The Committee received a report regarding the establishment of the Scrutiny Sub-Committees and Appointment of Members to those Sub-Committees.

The Committee then asked a number of questions about the proposals and the points raised are summarised below:

The Committee:

·         Indicated that there was merit in considering the establishment of a  task and finish group, that would specifically looks at environmental issues to ensure that the Borough is a pleasant place to live for all;

·         Agreed that the Council’s scrutiny of grants process should now be discharged through the main Overview and Scrutiny Committee under the remit of the Scrutiny Lead for Resources. This would ensure that the decision-making process would remain transparent, accountable and inclusive;

·         Formally thanked Kim Hayman and Sue Kenten for their contributions to the work of the Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee; and

·         Asked if it was possible to consider the co-option of a person or persons on to the Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee.

As a result of discussions on the report the Chair moved and it was RESOLVED:

1. To thank Kim Hayman and Sue Kenten for their contributions to the work of the Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee;
2. That Councillor Sufia Alam would be Vice-Chair of the Committee and Scrutiny Lead for Children’s Services (becoming Scrutiny Lead for Children & Education):
3. That the Scrutiny Lead for Governance (becoming Scrutiny Lead for Community Safety & Environment) would be Councillor Bex White;
4. That the Scrutiny Lead for Health, Adults and Community (becoming Scrutiny Lead for Health & Adults) would be Councillor Kahar Chowdhury;
5. Scrutiny Lead for Place (becoming Scrutiny Lead for Housing & Regeneration) would be Councillor Dipa Das; and
6. Scrutiny Lead for Resources (becoming Scrutiny Lead for Resources & Finance) would be Councillor Tarik Khan.
7. To note the co-option requirements for education in accordance with legislation, as set out at Paragraphs 3.3 to 3.9 of the report;
8. To note that establishment of the Sub-Committees as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;
9. To refer back to the Political Groups for confirmation on the list of Members for the Sub-Committees prior to their formal ratification; and 
10. To agree the respective terms of reference as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

The Committee received a report regarding the establishment of the Scrutiny Sub-Committees and Appointment of Members to those Sub-Committees.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee advised of the nominations for the Scrutiny Leads and portfolios as set out in resolution 1 below.

Councillor Kevin Brady moved and Councillor Abdal Ullah seconded the following amendment to the Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee Terms of Reference.

Amendment – 3.1 (Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee – Terms of Reference)

It is proposed to amend paragraph 3.1 of the report, to change the membership of the sub-committee from being drawn strictly from the main O&S committee, to being drawn from the council. This would bring the sub-committee in line with the health scrutiny and housing scrutiny committees, and would retain the same political balance.

The amendment also increases the number of members from three to six, in line with the allocation of places report included as part of the council’s Annual General Meeting.

Proposed amendment to the terms of reference (deleted text scored out, added text underlined):

“The membership of the Grants Sub-Committee will consist of the Lead Member for Resources (or his nominated Deputy) as Chair of the Grants Sub-Committee, with the composition consisting of three six Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. council, in line with proportionality rules.”

The amendment was voted on and agreed. 

The Chair Moved and it was:-

RESOLVED

1.            That the following Members be appointed to the Scrutiny Leads posts as set out in Section 3 of the report.

Lead for Health, Adults and Community - Councillor Kahar Chowdhury

Lead for Place - Councillor Dipa Das

Lead for Children’s Services -  CouncillorSufia Alam

Lead for Resources - Councillor Marc Francis

            Lead for Governance - Councillor Mohammed Pappu

2.            To note the co-option to the membership of the OSC of representatives in respect of education matters, as set out at Paragraphs 3.3 to 3.9 of the report.

3.            To establish the Sub-Committee with Terms of Reference (Attached at Appendix 2 to the report) subject to the following amendment to the Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee terms of reference.

The membership of the Grants Sub-Committee will consist of the Lead Member for Resources (or his nominated Deputy) as Chair of the Grants Sub-Committee, with the composition consisting of six Members of the council, in line with proportionality rules.

4.            That the following Councillors be appointed to Chair the above Sub-Committees:

Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Councillor Kahar Chowdhury

            Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Councillor Dipa Das

            Grants Scrutiny-Sub-Committee - Councillor Marc Francis