23 02 2004

A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE POLICY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

WAS HELD ON 23 FEBRUARY 2004

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

36.		APOLOGIES

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

37.		DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Edgar declared a personal interest in agenda item no 4(ii) – 'Concessionary Travel/Dial-a-Ride'. Councillor Edgar withdrew from the meeting room whilst the matter was considered and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

38.		CONSIDERATION OF SCRUTINY FINDINGS

Draft Cultural Strategy

The Committee received the report of the Cultural Strategy Working Group, which outlined the background and methodology of the scrutiny process.

At their meeting on 28 January 2004, the Committee had considered the updated action plan and the progress being made in respect of the draft Cultural Strategy. Having taken account of further comments made by Members, the Leisure and Amenities Manager had revised the draft document to make reference to 'allotments' as one of the areas covered by the Strategy and, in the projected action for 2004, provision 'to identify and implement a range of improvements to allotment sites'.

The revised document would also clarify the situation with regard to Bridgemary School's bid for specialist status in sports activities. The projected action plan for 2004 would be amended to take account of Brune Park School already having achieved Specialist Status for Performing Arts.

The Leisure and Amenities Manager confirmed that the Cultural Strategy would encompass existing strategies and would replace the current documents covering Sport, Recreation and Play, Parks and Open Spaces and The Arts.

The general consensus of the Committee was that scrutiny of the draft Cultural Strategy had been a worthwhile exercise and that the final draft document would be easier to read, more user-friendly and would be a useful document.

Thanks were extended to officers for their hard work in compiling the strategy.

RESOLVED: That, following the completion of consultation with interested parties, the draft Cultural Strategy be recommended to the Policy and Organisation Board for adoption by the Council.

39.		REQUESTS FOR SCRUTINY

The Committee considered two requests for scrutiny. In accordance with Standing Order 5.4.2, Members had submitted requests for each of the following issues to be scrutinised:

(i) Charging Policy for Car Parks

The District Audit Letter had commented that the Council should explore new income streams and three Members requested that consideration be given to investigating the charging policy in relation to car parks throughout the Borough.

RESOLVED: That a Working Group, comprising Councillor Mrs Angus, Mrs Elshaw and Carter, be set up to scrutinise the charging policy for car parks and that a report on their findings be submitted to the Committee in September 2004.

(ii) Concessionary Travel/Dial-a-Ride

The District Audit Letter had commented on the Council's revenue reserves and Members felt that it would be opportune to scrutinise the above matter to 'fit' the agreed aims of the Council.

(NB: Councillor Edgar declared a personal interest in this item, withdrew from the meeting room and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)

RESOLVED: That a Working Group, comprising Councillors Hayward, Redrup and Mrs Salter, be set up to scrutinise concessionary travel and Dial-a-Ride, aiming to report their findings to the Committee in November 2004.

40.		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		January – March 2004
3/4	Asset Management Strategy } Officer Working		February – May 2004
3/4	Capital Strategy } Group		February – May 2004
6	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 - Report to this Committee			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


41.	ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business

42.	DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED: That the next meeting of the Committee be held on Wednesday 17 March 2004 at 6.00pm.



The meeting commenced at 6.00pm and concluded at 6.40pm

CHAIRMAN