Corporate Scrutiny Panel – 31 January 2013

PRESENT:  Councillor Robinson in the chair.
Councillors Wilson (vice-chair), Collinson, England and Wardle.

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

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

138  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.

139  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceeding of this panel held on        10 January 2013, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the Chairman.

140  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK There were no requests received.

141  (12)  SHARED SERVICES – The Chairman welcomed Mike Wedgewood, Jason Whaler and Councillor Poole to the meeting, the council’s Director of Policy and Resources, Assistant Director Business Support and Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources respectively to the meeting.  The Director, Assistant Director and Cabinet Member had been invited to update members on the success of the council’s shared services arrangements over the last financial year.

The Assistant Director guided panel members through a detailed report which identified the services that currently experienced shared service arrangements; the efficiencies that had been achieved; set up costs and timescales for implementation; impact of the shared service on customer satisfaction and outcomes and any future savings from the shared service.

Following the oral presentation, the Chairman invited panel members’ to discuss the council’s shared service arrangements with the Director, Assistant Director and Cabinet Member.

Resolved – (a) That the Director, Assistant Director and Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources be thanked for their attendance, oral presentation and for answering members’ questions, and (b) that the panel add ‘review of the council’s IT service to its work programme.

142  ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR SEVERE HARDSHIP – The Chairman welcomed Jo Robinson to the meeting, the Local Taxation and Benefits Shared Service Manager for North and North East Lincolnshire Councils.  Mrs Robinson had been invited to the meeting to inform members’ of the ‘as is’ model for those residents who were in dire financial need and required access to the hardship fund.

The Shared Service Manager then guided the panel through the key changes to the application process following the implementation of the Localised Support for Council Tax policy.

Following the Shared Service Managers oral presentation, the Chairman facilitated a discussion between panel members and Mrs Robinson.

Resolved – (a) That the Local Taxation and Benefits Shared Service Manager for North and North East Lincolnshire Councils be thanked for her attendance, oral presentation and for answering members’ questions, and (b) that the assessment process for severe hardship be re-visited in six months time.

143  DEBT RECOVERY PROCESS – The Chairman welcomed Richard Catlyn to the meeting, the Strategic Lead for Revenues for North and North East Lincolnshire Councils.  Mr Catlyn had been invited to the meeting to inform members’ of the ‘as is’ model for those residents who had not made their council tax payment to the local authority.

The Strategic Lead for Revenues then guided the panel through the support channels that would be put in place for those residents who would be required to contribute towards a council tax bill for the first time.

Following the Strategic Lead for Revenues oral presentation, the Chairman facilitated a discussion between panel members and Mr Catlyn.

Resolved – (a) That the Strategic Lead for Revenues for North and North East Lincolnshire Councils be thanked for his attendance, oral presentation and for answering members’ questions, and (b) that the debt recovery process be re-visited in six months time.

144  ADDED ITEM – The Chairman informed the members that the added item on ‘grants to voluntary organisations’ would be discussed at the panel’s meeting on Thursday 21 February 2013.