Scrutiny Co-ordinating Panel – 1 July 2009

PRESENT: Councillor Davison in the chair.

Councillors Barker, Ellerby, Glover, C Sherwood, Smith, Waltham, Wells and Wilson.

Councillor Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure Rule 37(b).

74 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

75 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Panel held on 7 March 2009 having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.

76 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received

77 WORK PROGRAMME 2008/2009 – Update from the Chair and Vice-Chair of each Scrutiny Panel – The chairs and vice-chairs of each of the four scrutiny panels for North Lincolnshire Council were invited to provide the panel with a brief update on recent work completed and future work to be undertaken.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

78 (1) LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP – The Service Director Legal and Democratic referred members to the minutes of the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) event that had been held on Thursday 28 May 2009.

Concerns were raised over the number of partner agencies that had submitted apologies for the last meeting of the LSP and therefore had not had any representation at the meeting. It was agreed that this would be monitored.

Further discussion ensued over the performance monitoring training event that had been conducted earlier on 1 July 2009, and how this had highlighted areas where scrutiny could be included within the process, particularly the Performance Improvement Panels. The training had provided essential information on the presentation of the information and also the future role of scrutiny. Information would in future be fed to the panels through the scrutiny officers, who would highlight areas of concern and failings to panel members.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

79 (2) SCRUTINY OF CRIME AND DISORDER MATTERS – Report of the Service Director Legal and Democratic – The Service Director Legal and Democratic submitted a report which had been considered by the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel, and outlined key points for the scrutiny of Crime and Disorder matters. The Service Director Legal and Democratic explained that the recent guidance published by the Home Office had outlined the future development of scrutiny’s role and specifically the introduction of Crime and Disorder Committees that would be involved with issues raised through the Councillor Call for Action process.

Members were advised that the Safer and Stronger Communities scrutiny panel felt well placed to deal with the proposed changes as good working relationships had been developed with both the Police and also Safer Neighbourhoods.

The panel was advised that a report would be presented to a future meeting of the Council as there were certain points that would require consideration and approval before implementation and inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.

Resolved – That the position be noted.