Places Scrutiny Panel – 5 September 2011

PRESENT:  Councillor Davison in the chair.

Councillors Armitage, Clark, Collinson, England, Ogg and P Vickers.

Councillors Barkworth, Swift and Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

26  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared. 

27  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 11 July, and the special meeting held on 10 August 2011, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chair.

28  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAKThere were no requests received.

29  CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – Discussion and Questions with Councillor Briggs, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Asset and Estate Management and Sport, Leisure and Culture – The Director of Corporate and Community Services informed the meeting that unfortunately Councillor Briggs could not attend the panel today as he had to attend another meeting.  However, Councillor Briggs had apologised for his absence and had offered to attend the next timetabled meeting of the panel.

Resolved – (a) That consideration of the item be deferred to the next timetabled meeting of the panel, and (b) that the panel write to Councillor Briggs expressing their disappointment that he was unable to attend the meeting.

30  (8)  THE DECLARATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE COUNT FOLLOWING THE DISTRICT ELECTION AND NATIONAL REFERENDUM HELD ON THURSDAY 5 MAY 2011 – The chair invited members to comment on the findings of the panel’s questionnaire to both count staff and all candidates and agents.  Members went through the findings page by page and explored the implications of the responses.

In addition, members also discussed potential subject areas to be covered at the special meeting of the panel on 12 September 2011, whereby stakeholder interviews would be held with the council’s Chief Executive, Head of Democratic Services and Elections and Electoral Registration Officer.

Resolved – (a) That the findings from the panel’s questionnaires be noted, and (b) that the Director of Corporate and Community Services formulate some discussion areas to assist the panel with their stakeholder interviews on 12 September.

31  (9)  CO-ORDINATION OF THE NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK – The Director of Corporate and Community Services circulated the draft scrutiny brief for their forthcoming review, for member comments.

Resolved – That the scrutiny brief be approved.

32  VISIT TO HUMBERSIDE PROBATION TRUST – FEEDBACK – The Director of Corporate and Community Services invited members to comment on the panel’s visit to Humberside Probation Trust on 26 July 2011.

Resolved – That the Director of Corporate and Community Services write to the Director of Probation thanking her for there hospitality, time and informative presentations.

33  POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL – The Director of Corporate and Community Services updated the members on the developments in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

34  DEVELOPMENTS LOCALLY – UPDATE – The Director of Corporate and Community Services updated members on some key developments locally.

Resolved – That the situation be noted.

35  ADDED ITEM – Councillor Davison gave notice that she would like an added item on the subject of Leader of the Council’s Forward Plan to be included on a future agenda of the panel.  The Director of Corporate and Community Services then clarified the relevant sections of the council’s constitution.

Resolved – (a) That Councillor Davison submit a written request for an added item to the Assistant Director Democratic and Legal Services, giving clear reasons for the added item and details of likely questions, in accordance with the council’s constitution, and (b) that a relevant report be prepared by appropriate officers and, in consultation with the chairman, the issue be included on a future agenda.