17 03 2004

A MEETING OF THE POLICY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

WAS HELD ON 17 MARCH 2004

Councillors Mrs Angus (P), Carter (P), Edgar (P), Edwards (P), Mrs Elshaw (P), Mrs Gravell, Hayward (Vice-Chairman)(P), Kimber (Chairman)(P), Redrup (P) and Mrs Salter(P)

43.	APOLOGIES

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were received on behalf of Councillors Mrs Angus and Mrs Gravell.

44.	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Edgar declared a personal interest in agenda item no. 5(ii) – a progress report on the work of the Concessionary Travel/Dial-a-Ride Working Group. Councillor Edgar withdrew from the meeting room whilst the matter was considered and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

45.	MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 January 2004, the adjourned meeting held on 9 February 2004 and the special meeting held on 23 February 2004 be approved and signed as true and correct records.

46.	NOTES OF THE AUDIT SUB-COMMITTEE

The Committee considered the notes of the Audit Sub-Committee held on 2 February 2004. The notes indicated that the Sub-Committee had been satisfied with the performance of the Internal Audit Section at this stage of the year and had noted the Internal Audit nine-month year position.

The Sub-Committee had considered the emerging roles and responsibilities of Audit Committees and their potential to deliver benefits to assist the local authority in achieving its corporate objectives.

REOOLVED: That the notes of the meeting of the Audit Sub-Committee held on 2 February 2004 be noted.

47.	PROGRESS ON SCRUTINY

(i) Overview and Scrutiny Handbook Working Group

The Committee received a report on the progress being made in respect of the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Handbook Working Group.

The Committee was advised that scrutiny was central to the Council's business and assisted with long term planning, particularly in the light of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment. The handbook would therefore need to be placed into a wider context.

The Committee was advised that consideration would have to be given as to how scrutiny would fit in with the Council's business and that any conclusions would be brought back to the Committee. It was anticipated that this would take place in July 2004.

RESOLVED: That the progress made on the Overview and Scrutiny Handbook be noted.

(ii) Concessionary Travel/Dial-a -Ride Working Group

Note: Councillor Edgar declared a personal interest in this item, withdrew from the meeting room whilst the matter was considered and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

The Committee received a report on the progress made by the Concessionary Travel/Dial-a -Ride Working Group.

Members were advised that contact would be making with Farepass, and National Travel Tokens by the end of April 2004 with a view to presentations being made to the Working Group. It was also suggested that the Working Group request a presentation from Dial-a-Ride and possibly organise a meeting with access groups.

A further meeting of the Working Group would be arranged.

RESOLVED: That the progress made on the scrutiny of Concessionary Travel/Dial-a-Ride be noted

(iii) Car Parking Charging Policy Working Group

The Committee received a report on the progress made by the Car Parking Charging Policy Working Group.

It was reported that a meeting of the Working Group had taken place on 8 March 2004 at which discussions took place on how scrutiny of the car park charging policy would take place. The scrutiny process was planned to be completed by September 2004.

A further meeting of the Working Group would be arranged in due course.

RESOLVED: That the progress made on the scrutiny of the charging policy for car parks be noted.

48.				REPORT OF THE BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN (BVPP)

The Committee received a report from the Best Value Performance Plan 2004/05 (BVPP) Working Group (a copy of which is affixed in the Minute Book as Appendix "A").

The Working Group had agreed a number of minor amendments to the text of the BVPP document.

The Working Group had noted that the percentage of incorrect Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) had been an Audit concern the previous year and had agreed that an additional recommendation should be made to the Policy and Organisation Overview and Scrutiny Committee that officers producing performance data for inclusion in the Performance Chapter should have their attention drawn to the fact that the Auditors commented on the inaccuracy of the previous year's BVPIs, with the aim of improving the accuracy of this year's data.

RESOLVED: That -

(i) the Working Group's report on the scrutiny of the Best Value Performance Plan be noted;

(ii) the timetable for completion and publication of the Best Value Performance Plan 2004/05 and the Working Group's ongoing action plan, as attached at Appendix 'A' in the report, be noted;

(iii) the draft Best Value Performance Plan 2004/05, less the performance data, be submitted to Council at its meeting on 31 March 2004 with the recommendation that it be approved and that the Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders, be authorised to approve the final completed version to facilitate publication by 30 June 2004; and

(iv) officers producing performance data for inclusion in the Performance Chapter have their attention drawn to the fact that the Auditors commented on the inaccuracy of the previous year's Best Value Performance Indicators, with the aim of improving the accuracy of this year's data.

49.				WORK PROGRAMME

The Committee reviewed their work programme as follows:

Policy document						Timetable for scrutiny
1.		Council's long-term Corporate Plan				Begin Sept. 2004
2.		Best Value performance Plan				Jan – March 2004
3/4		Asset Management Strategy} Officer Working				Feb – May 2004
3/4		Capital Strategy } Group				Feb – May 2004
5.		Crime & Disorder Reduction Strategy				Begin November 2004
6.		Plans and strategies which together comprise the Development Plan				November 2004
7.		Community Strategy 2003-2006				Begin July 2005
		Draft Cultural Strategy				Scrutiny completed

Working Groups

1.	Overview and Scrutiny Handbook				July 2004
2.	Charging Policy for Car Parks				September 2004
3.	Concessionary Travel/Dial-a-Ride				November 2004

50.			ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Chairman thanked members of the Working Group and officers for their assistance during this Municipal Year.

Members thanked the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

The meeting commenced at 6.00 pm and concluded at 7.00 pm

CHAIRMAN