Corporate Scrutiny Panel – 10 January 2013
Councillors Wilson (vice-chair), Bunyan, England and Jawaid MBE.
Councillors Collinson and Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.36 (b).
The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.
131 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.
132 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceeding of this panel held on 6 December 2012, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the Chairman.
133 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received.
134 CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The Chairman welcomed Councillor Poole to the meeting, the council’s Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources. 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 –
- The impact made by the new Commercial Manager,
- The progress on implementation of the new Commercial Policy,
- Further opportunities for procurement savings,
- The outcome of a meeting with the new Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner.
Following the update, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources.
Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted; (b) that the council’s Commercial Manager be invited to a future meeting of the panel, and (c) that the Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources be thanked for his attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions.
135 ABOLITION OF THE DISCRETIONARY SOCIAL FUND AND TRANSFER OF FUNDING FOR A NEW PROVISION – The Chairman welcomed Cindy Laherty and Richard Catlyn to the meeting, the Strategic Leads for Benefits and Revenues respectively from the shared service, North and North East Lincolnshire Councils.
Miss Laherty and Mr Catlyn had been invited to the meeting to discuss with members the of the abolition of the discretionary social fund and the implications of the transfer of funding for a new provision.
Following the oral presentation, the Chairman facilitated a discussion between panel members’ and the Strategic Leads for Benefits and Revenues. The Chairman also allowed members of the public in attendance to put questions to the council officers.
Resolved – (a) That the Strategic Leads for Benefits and Revenues respectively from North and North East Lincolnshire Councils be thanked for their attendance and for answering members’ questions, and (b) that the information be noted.
136 (11) ‘50 WAYS TO SAVE – EXAMPLES OF SENSIBLE SAVINGS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT’ – The Director of Policy and Resources circulated the Department for Communities and Local Government briefing paper on which listed 50 ways that councils could cut waste and make sensible savings to protect frontline services and keep council tax down.
Resolved – That the ‘50 Ways To Save – Examples Of Sensible Savings In Local Government’ paper be noted.
137 ADDED ITEM – The Chairman informed the members that as per the council’s constitution, Councillor Wilson had requested an added item on ‘grants to voluntary organisations’ be discussed at a future meeting of the panel.
The Chairman invited Councillor Wilson to explain his reasons for including the ‘added item’ on the panel’s work porogramme.
Resolved – (a) That consideration of the added item be discussed by the panel at its meeting on Thursday 21 February 2013, and (b) that as per the council’s constitution, the appropriate Director be invited and a briefing paper be prepared for members’ information.