northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT:  Councillor Smith in the chair.

Councillors Wardle (Vice-Chair), Ali, Bainbridge, Berry, Collinson and Waltham.

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

68  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following member declared a personal interest in the following matter: –

No whip was declared.

69  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this Panel held on 7 July 2008, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chair.

70  PUBLIC SPEAKING – There were no requests from members of the public to address the Scrutiny Panel.

71  (4) REVIEW OF COUNCIL MEDIA AND ADVERTISEMENTS ACTION PLAN – In accordance with the procedures outlined within the Council’s Constitution, a copy of the Review of Council Media and Advertisements Action Plan had been submitted to the panel prior to the next Cabinet meeting.  The Chair referred members of the panel to the document asking for their comments.

Following discussions, it was agreed that further clarification should be given on two recommendations, these being –

• That the Digital Inclusion Team’s review of the Council’s website continues as an ongoing and necessary process.
• That dialogue with Lincolnshire County Council’s IT department is maintained and conducted on an annual basis, rather than three monthly basis, to review the impact of website advertising.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that the Service Director Legal and Democratic submit the comments, on behalf of the panel, to Cabinet for consideration.

72  (5) NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE MARKETS –   Questionnaires to the public and market traders – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated two questionnaires.  The panel was advised that one would be published in the Council’s Direct magazine and also on the Council’s Website, the other would be sent to all market traders within North Lincolnshire.  Due to time constraints the article for the Direct magazine had already been approved by the Chair and Vice-Chair to enable the article to be published in the September edition.  Panel members endorsed this decision.

The second questionnaire was aimed at the market traders and it was hoped that this would generate feedback on what improvements they would like to see.  The officers in attendance explained that they were still awaiting a list of all market trader’s details, and that once received the questionnaire would be sent out.

Following further discussion it was agreed that Democratic Service Officers should attend the next meeting of the Market Traders Association, to allay any concerns that may have been caused due to recent articles in the local newspaper.

The Chair reiterated that the purpose of the review was to improve the markets within North Lincolnshire and to attract more people to use them.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

73  NEXT STAGES – The Service Director Legal and Democratic was invited by the Chair to discuss the next stages of the review.

It was confirmed that the following actions would be undertaken –

• To invite the Cabinet Member overseeing the markets to the next meeting of the panel.
• To invite the Service Director overseeing the markets to the next meeting of the panel
• Speak to the Market’s Manager.
• Collate the feedback obtained from the questionnaires and assess the results.
• Site visits to the North Lincolnshire markets
• Market Traders’ forum – invite market traders to meet and discuss issues with members of the panel on an informal basis.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

74  (6)  LEADER OF THE COUNCILS FORWARD PLAN – SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2008 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for September to December 2008.

The plan contained details of all matters and issues likely to be the subject of key decisions for a period of the next four months, updated on a monthly basis.

Resolved – That the Leader of the Council’s Forward Plan for September to December 2008 be noted.

75  ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for discussion at this meeting