Meeting documents

Place Scrutiny Committee
Monday, 27th January, 2014 6.30 pm

Chairmen's scrutiny Forum Minutes

Date:
Monday, 20th January, 2014
Time:
18.00
Place:
Committee Room, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
1 Apologies and substitutions.
 Apologies were received from Councillor D Garston.
2 Declarations of interest.
 The following declaration of interest was made at the meeting:

(a) Councillor Assenheim - agenda item relating to discussion on scrutiny committees review - Board member South Essex Homes.
3 Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 15th July, 2013
  • Minutes
  • Update Note
Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 15th July, 2013 be received and confirmed as a correct record.
4 New Scrutiny Committees - review
Further to the decision at the last meeting, the Forum considered a report from the Corporate Director for Corporate Services which reviewed the operation of the new Scrutiny Committees.

The Forum felt that overall the workloads of the 3 Scrutiny Committees is fairly even, particularly now that presentations are being taken to separate Member briefings where possible.

Resolved:

That the workloads of the Scrutiny Committees be reviewed again in 6 months time.
5 Member briefing sessions
The Forum considered a note on the Member briefings / presentations which have been held on 17th December 2013 and 13th January 2014. The sessions have been well received and well attended and allow any Member to attend the ‘cross cutting' presentations rather than just those members of a particular scrutiny committee. The Member briefings / presentations provide a useful means of disseminating information, but are not a method of pre-Cabinet Scrutiny.

The Forum agreed that the Member briefings / presentations need good attendance and that when they are arranged, officers will try and have regard to when other meetings / Group meetings are scheduled.

The Forum also agreed that the relevant Corporate Director / officers, should have responsibility for what information is circulated at such briefings / presentations.

Resolved:

That copies of any handouts / presentation slides from Member briefings / presentations should be placed centrally on the Council's intranet so they can be easily accessible to all Members.
6 Support of Democratic Services to Council Bodies
Resolved:

That the Briefing note on the support of Democratic Services Section to Council Bodies be noted.
7 Update on In depth Scrutiny projects 2013 / 14
 The Forum discussed progress on the current in depth scrutiny projects:

(a) Impact of Welfare Changes (Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee);
(b) Promoting a positive image for the town (Place Scrutiny Committee); and
(c) Southend primary schools' falling grammar school entry figures (People Scrutiny Committee).
8 Any Items from Forum Members
 Council meetings - The Forum discussed the length of the last Council meeting and agreed that the Mayor be requested to consider having a 20 minute break in proceedings at about 9 o'clock.

Scrutiny at Southend - The Forum discussed the Scrutiny process at Southend and the possible merits of returning to the committee system.

Resolved: That officers undertake a short review and prepare a high level report for the next meeting of the Forum outlining the pro's / con's of both systems.
9 Information Items
 The Forum noted information about some recent publications available from the Centre for Public Scrutiny.
10 Date of next meeting
 The next meeting will be in June / July 2014 - to be advised.
18.00 / 19.10

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor Terry (Chairman)
Councillor Gilbert (Vice Chairman), Councillors Assenheim, Burdett, Flewitt, Holland, Kaye, Lewin, Longley and Woodley
In attendance:
J K Williams, F Abbott and T Row

 

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