Corporate Scrutiny Panel – 16 April 2012

PRESENT:  Councillor Glover in the chair.

Councillors Wilson (Vice-Chair), Bainbridge, Eckhardt, Marper, Oldfield and Ogg.

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

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

64  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.

65  MINUTESResolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held 12 December 2011, 23 January, 20 February and 19 March 2012, and the special meetings held on 6 February and 8 March 2012, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the Chairman.

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

CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The Chairman welcomed Councillor Poole to the meeting, the council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Procurement and IT Services.  Councillor Poole 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.

Discussion centred around the following –

  • Findings from the council review of IT services
  • Use of new technology to drive council IT infrastructure forward
  • Members and their use of IT
  • Council saving of £2.43 million as a result of joint working on procurement with North East Lincolnshire Council
  • Council saving of £1 million pounds on consultants
  • E-tendering
  • Council’s balanced budget

Following the update, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Finance, Procurement and IT Services.

67  Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted; and (b) that the council’s Finance, Procurement and IT Services Cabinet Manager be thanked for his attendance, oral update and for answering members’ questions.

The Chairman then welcomed Councillor C Sherwood, the council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services to the meeting.

Councillor Sherwood 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 –

  • Implementation of the council’s new Redeployment Policy
  • Installation of a new Professional Personnel IT system
  • Council sickness absence statistics
  • Implementation of the council’s new Social Media policy
  • Council awarded the RoSPA award for health and safety for the 12th year running
  • Community and Voluntary Sector funding

Following the update, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services.

68  Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted, (b) that the council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services be thanked for his attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions, and (c) that members receive a presentation on the new Community and Voluntary Sector funding arrangements as soon as possible.

69  LOCALISM ACT – The Chairman welcomed the council’s Chief Executive to the meeting.  The Chief Executive had been invited to update members on the progress and implications for North Lincolnshire Council on the Localism Bill

Mr Driver explained how the main measures of the Localism Bill would impact on the council, namely –

  • New freedoms and flexibilities for local government
  • New rights and powers for communities and individuals
  • Reform to make the planning system more democratic and more effective
  • Reform to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally.

Following the presentation, the Chairman invited members to question the Chief Executive.

Resolved – That the update from the Chief Executive be received with thanks.

70  THE DEVELOPING ROLE FOR OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY – The Director of Corporate and Community Services submitted the panel’s final report into its review into ‘the developing role for overview and scrutiny’.

The Chairman opened discussion on the report, inviting comments, changes or input from members.  A debate on the content occurred and a number of minor changes were agreed.

Resolved – (a) That members and witnesses be thanked for their input and hard work, and (b) that the report be approved by the panel and submitted to the next meeting of Cabinet for consideration and debate.

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