Corporate Scrutiny Panel – 14 May 2012
Councillors Bainbridge, Eckhardt, England, Marper, Oldfield and Wardle.
Councillor Bromby, Collinson, T Foster and Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.36 (b).
The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.
72 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – Cllr Collinson declared a personal interest as a Trustee of the Citizens Advice Bureau. Cllr Eckhardt declared a personal interest as a Trustee of Arthritis Care.
No whip was declared.
73 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 16 April 2012, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the Chairman.
74 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received.
75 COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR FUNDING – The Chairman welcomed Dave Hey, the council’s Head of Stronger Communities to the meeting. The Head of Stronger Communities had been invited to discuss the council’s approach to funding the community and voluntary sectors.
Mr Hey explained how the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services had recently agreed to adopt a new approach in this area, namely –
- That a consultation exercise with the five groups that currently receive funding from the council had been completed,
- That it was identified that there was a need to make the process more open and transparent,
- That it was agreed to move towards a ‘custodian model’, where organisations could tender to become the custodian for (i) the support and development of the voluntary and community sector, and (ii) the provision of advice and guidance to local residents.
Following the presentation, the Chairman invited members to question the Head of Stronger Communities. Members asked a range of questions, including the appeals process, responsibilities, time periods and staffing implications.
Resolved – That (a) the update from the Head of Stronger Communities be received with thanks, and (b) that an update be provided to members when the tendering exercise is complete and the custodians were in place.
76 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.