northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT:  Councillor T Foster in the chair.

Councillors Davison (vice chair), Clark, Oldfield and P Vickers.

Councillor Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.36 (b).

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

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

No whip was declared.

207  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 14 November 2012, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chairman.

208  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received.

209  CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The Chairman welcomed Councillor Briggs to the meeting, the council’s Cabinet Member for Asset Management, Culture and Housing.  Councillor Briggs had been invited to the panel meeting to update members on any key decisions, important business or key developments, which had occurred during the last quarter.  Namely –

• The success of the Courtyard Café
• Over 29,000 visitors had now visited North Lincolnshire museum
• Weddings at Normanby Hall were 80% up on 2011
• Scunthorpe market renovations were now complete
• 100 extra car parking spaces had been created at the market, with the first hour free
• Strategic market Housing Assessment due on 4 December 2012
• Housing Advice Team relocation to Church Square House
•  Update on Advance Crosby project

Following the update, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Asset Management, Culture and Housing.

Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted, and (b) that the Cabinet Member for Asset Management, Culture and Housing be thanked for his attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions.

210  ELECTION FOR THE HUMBERSIDE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER – Further to Minute 101, and the subsequent approval by Cabinet at its meeting on 13 March 2012, the Chairman welcomed Simon Driver, Mel Holmes and Anthia Taylor, the council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Head of Democratic Services and Elections and Electoral Registration Officer.  Mr Driver, Mr Holmes and Mrs Taylor had been invited to discuss with panel members’ the recent election for the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Driver referred to the operational and strategic arrangements that the council had encountered due to the unique nature of the election.  Members’ were also informed of the impact of the scrutiny panel’s recommendations on the election and identified areas where additional resources could be deployed for future elections.

The Chairman then facilitated a discussion between panel members and the council officers.

Resolved – (a) That the council’s Chief Executive, Head of Democratic Services and Elections and Electoral Registration Officer be thanked for their attendance and for answering members questions; (b) that the officers be congratulated for the way the election was managed locally and for being the first authority in Humberside to declare its election results at both the first and second stage, and (c) that the Director of Policy and Resources contact the Electoral Commission to obtain a definitive ruling on the process to be followed for verifying postal votes.

211  SCRUTINY REVIEW OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT –The Chairman welcomed Will Bell, Dave Hey and Chris Skinner to the meeting, the council’s Assistant Director Legal and Democratic, Head of Stronger Communities and Head of Communications.  The officers had been invited to the meeting to guide members through the uEngage on-line consultation tool which was the councils preferred consultation mechanism.

Following a presentation, the Chairman facilitated a discussion between the officers and scrutiny panel members.

Resolved – (a) That the presentation be noted; (b) that members receive the amended version of the Corporate Consultation Questionnaire Guidelines, and (c) that the council’s Assistant Director Legal and Democratic, Head of Stronger Communities and Head of Communications be thanked for their attendance and for answering members’ questions.

212  JOINT REVIEW WITH THE PEOPLE SCRUTINY PANEL – ‘KEEPING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE’ – The Director of Policy and Resources informed members’ that the next meeting of the special joint scrutiny panel would be held on Tuesday 11 December 2012, commencing at 10.00 am at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

213  ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.