Corporate Scrutiny Panel – 17 October 2011

PRESENT:   Councillor Glover in the chair.

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

Councillors Mrs Bromby, Briggs, Bunyan, T Foster, Waltham and Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

22  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. 

23  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAKThere were no requests received.

CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The chairman welcomed Councillor Mrs Redfern to the meeting, the council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration. Councillor Mrs Redfern 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:

  • Economic prosperity
  • Help for local businesses
  • Local Enterprise Partnership
  • Enterprise Zones
  • Sustainability of local businesses

Following the update, the chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

24  Resolved – (a) That the verbal update be noted, and (b) that the Cabinet Member for Regeneration be thanked for her attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions.

The chairman welcomed the council’s Assistant Director Democratic and Legal Services, Assistant Director Communications and the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services to the meeting.

Councillor C 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 – 

  • Social media policy
  • Review of Communications division
  • Sickness absence rates
  • Award of the Gold Health and Safety Standard from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).  This was the eleventh consecutive year the award had been received by the council
  • Shared Legal services with North East Lincolnshire Council
  • Increase in national minimum wage and the implications for the council

 

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

25  Resolved – (a) That the verbal update be noted, and (b) that the council’s Assistant Director Democratic and Legal Services, Assistant Director Communications and the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services be thanked for their attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions.

Finally the chairman welcomed the council’s Assistant Director IT Services, the Assistant Director for Strategic Procurement and Value for Money and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Procurement and IT Services to the meeting.

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.  Namely:

  • Shared services on Procurement, Benefits and Revenue, IT and e-tendering and e-auctions
  • IT Transformation Board
  • Savings achieved via shared procurement and e-auctions.

 

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

26  Resolved – (a) That the verbal update be noted, (b) that the Assistant Director IT Services, the Assistant Director for Strategic Procurement and Value for Money and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Procurement and IT Services be thanked for their attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions; and (c) that the additional information requested by members be circulated as soon as practicable.

27  (8)  CONSIDERATION OF WORK PROGRAMME – Members discussed their future work programme and priorities for the 2011/12 municipal year.

Resolved – That the Localism Bill, Worksmart and Councilwide Training Provision including Member Development be included on the members’ work programme for the 2011/2012 Municipal Year.

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