Agenda item
Development of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2013/14 (Oral Report)
An OSC Work Programme Development Session is scheduled to take place on Monday 24th June to discuss the Committee’s work programme for 2013/14. The OSC will receive an oral report and presentation on outline ideas for the OSC Work Programme.
Minutes:
Ms Louise Russell, Service Head Corporate Strategy & Equality, gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the development of the OSC Work Programme in 2013/14 which focused on the following points:
· Progress to Date:
- Scrutiny Leads received briefing notes/ discussion with Corporate Directors.
- Work Programme development session had taken place
- A range of possible areas and scrutiny methods identified
· Suggested Areas for Scrutiny were outlined.
· Analysis of potential scrutiny topics grouped topics by theme:
- Policy development
ØRight to Buy
Ø2 year old provision
- Assessment of existing processes and outcomes
ØCareer development for disabled staff
ØSchool Spaces
- Partnership engagement
ØIntegration of health and social care
ØResident engagement in the budget process
- Spotlight sessions were linked with the themes.
- Outcomes set out in a draft OSC Work Programme Tabled for discussion.
· Next Step: Corporate Strategy & Equality would continue to work with Scrutiny Leads and Officers on resource commitment, and finalise the Work Programme for presentation to OSC on 23rd July.
A discussion followed focused on the following points:
· The Chair thanked Louise Russell and her Officer team for the development session and formulation of the Work Programme. The programme was ambitious and frontloaded to take account of Member activity in the run up to Council elections in 2014.
· Councillor Helal Uddin commented that he had not attended the work programme development session and consequently the draft OSC Work Programme did not contain potential areas for scrutiny relating to his portfolio of Communities Localities and Culture. It was agreed that Councillor Uddin should forward any suggestions to Louise Russell, Service Head Corporate Strategy & Equality, and the Chair for them to consider inclusion in the finalised Work Programme to be presented to OSC on 23rd July.
· Councillor Saunders considered that the OSC meeting on 1st October was over-programmed, and suggested that the focus on integration of health and social care be included in the Health Scrutiny Panel work programme instead, with all OSC members invited to the appropriate HSP meeting.
· Councillor Whitelock considered that even with the suggested transfer of business, the OSC meeting on 1st October remained over-programmed: It was suggested that the SEN session be a Lead Member Briefing to reduce the items for the October meeting.
· Councillor Ullah considered that it would be more appropriate for the Community Safety Spotlight and Cabinet Member with portfolio to attend the October OSC as there was normally a spike in community safety issues around Guy Fawkes night (5th November) and it would be helpful to reach an understanding of preparations for that by the Council and its partners. The Chair responded that he would consider that but the Work Programme had been constructed so Cabinet Member attendance was not too onerous.
The Chair Moved and it was:-
Resolved
1. That the position update contained in the oral report/ presentation be noted.
2. That the draft 2013/14 OSC Work Programme be finalised, taking account of OSC member suggestions if possible and after consultation with the Chair, and presented to the next OSC meeting [23 July] for consideration and agreement.
Action by:
Daisy Beserve (Senior Strategy Policy & Performance Officer, Corporate Strategy & Equality Service, CE’s)
Angus Taylor (Principal Committee Officer, Democratic Services, CE’s)