28 01 2004

A MEETING OF THE POLICY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

WAS HELD ON 28 JANUARY 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)

26.	APOLOGIES

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were received on behalf of Councillor Mrs Gravell.

27.	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

28.	MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 19 November 2003 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.

29.	PROGRESS ON SCRUTINY

(i) Cultural Strategy Working Group

The Committee received a copy of the progress being made in respect of the draft Cultural Strategy.

Councillor Carter reported that officers had prepared a revised draft strategy and that he and Councillor Edwards had been asked to comment on the second draft of the document. The revised document had been reduced in size, was more understandable and was now beginning to show the required 'golden thread'. For the final version of the published strategy appendices, which would be of little interest to the general public, would be attached for sports organisations and other interested groups.

A copy of the revised draft cultural strategy, taking into account the comments proffered by Councillors Carter, Edwards and Kimber, together with a briefing note on prioritisation of action plans for strategies, would be sent to Members of the Working Group prior to their meeting on 9 February 2004.

Members were reminded that the special meeting of the Committee to be held on 23 February 2004 to consider the final draft of the Cultural Strategy would commence at 6.00pm and not 6.45pm as previously indicated.

RESOLVED: That the updated action plan and progress made for scrutiny of the draft Cultural Strategy be noted.

(ii) Overview and Scrutiny Handbook Working Group

The Committee received the action plan for the production of a handbook, which was intended to provide clear guidance on the Council's overview and scrutiny process, as well as affording practical advice to all those who would take part in scrutiny.

The Working Group had considered other local authorities' handbooks that had been downloaded from their websites. The consensus of the Working Group was that there were many good points in the examples that could be taken into account and considered for inclusion in the Council's handbook.

Whilst it was acknowledged that there should be a full, comprehensive and definitive handbook of A4 size, a smaller handy, crisp summary document should be produced for Members and the public/community.

Deference would be given to ensure that an easy-to-handle, user-friendly, larger font size, printed document would be produced in leaflet or booklet form.

Comments would be requested from all Members of the Council as part of the consultation process. Final approval would be required from the Policy and Organisation Board before being recommended for adoption by full Council and inclusion in the Council's Constitution.

RESOLVED: That the progress on the development of an Overview and Scrutiny Handbook be noted.

30.	SCRUTINY OF THE BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN (BVPP)

The Head of Corporate Policy confirmed that the BVPP formed part of the Council's policy framework and, as such, publication would need approval by full Council, following consideration by the Policy and Organisation Board.

The Head of Corporate Policy informed the Committee that new guidance was expected imminently from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister detailing the requirements for inclusion in future BVPP publication. In the light of unknown changes in arrangements for the production of future Plans and until the guidance had been confirmed, it was suggested that concentration might be focused on the specific elements referred to in the latest Audit Letter, whilst at the same time scrutinising last year's Plan and identifying recommended amendments for the forthcoming BVPP 2004/05.

The Committee considered that a working group should be set up to undertake scrutiny of the Council's BVPP on the terms referred to above.

RESOLVED: That a Best Value Performance Plan (BVPP) Working Group, comprising Councillors Edwards, Hayward and Redrup, be set up to address the comments raised in the Audit Letter with regard to the Council's BVPP.

31.	COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE PLAN (CPA)

The Director of Development and Environment updated the Committee on the initial report received from the CPA Inspector regarding the Council's CPA score. The Council had disputed the scoring and as the time limit had expired for the moderation process to be implemented, the Council had lodged an appeal against the assessment.

An Appeal Team Leader would be meeting with the Chief Executive and the Director of Development and Environment in the next few weeks to discuss the process and procedures for the Council's appeal.

The Director of Development and Environment referred to the Strategic Improvement Plan (STRIP) and suggested that there might be an opportunity for the Committee to become involved, following completion of the CPA process.

RESOLVED: That the report of the Director of Development and Environment be noted.

In view of the inclement weather, the Committee AGREED to adjourn the meeting and to defer consideration of the remaining items on the agenda until Monday 9 February 2004.



The meeting commenced at 6.00pm and concluded at 6.35pm

CHAIRMAN