Corporate Scrutiny Panel – 4 October 2012

PRESENT:   Councillor Robinson in the chair.

Councillors Wilson (vice-chair), Clark, Jawaid MBE and Wardle.

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

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

112  DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and personal or personal and prejudicial interests –

No whip was declared.

113  MINUTESResolved – That the minutes of the proceeding of this panel held on 13 September 2012, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the Chairman.

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

115  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 outcome of the recent review of the council’s IT service.
  • Services currently participating in soft market testing.
  • Local council tax support consultation.
  • Developments in the voluntary sector.
  • Council communications.
  • Procurement update.

Following the update, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources.

Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted, and (b) that the Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources be thanked for his attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions.

116  LOCALISING SUPPORT FOR COUNCIL TAX – The Chairman welcomed Mike Wedgewood, Peter Fijalkowski and Richard Catlyn to the meeting, the council’s Director of Policy and Resources, Assistant Director Financial Services and Income and Collections Manager for North and North East Lincolnshire Council respectively.  The Director, Assistant Director and Income and Collections Manager had been invited to update members on the recent ‘have your say – welfare reform’ forum that was held on Friday 21 September 2012.

The Director provided feedback to members on the following –

  • The structure of the day
  • Key stakeholders who attended
  • Key themes / issues which arose from the workshops
  • Stakeholders comments on how the scheme would be received once implemented.

Councillors Robinson and Wilson also provided the panel with their observations of the event as observers at the forum.

The Chairman also invited the Director to update the panel on the outcome of the on-going public consultation on the council’s preferred localised support for council tax scheme

The Chairman then facilitated a discussion between the panel and the Director, Assistant Director and Income and Collections Manager

Resolved – That the update be received with thanks.

117  (8)  WELFARE REFORM – CENTRE FOR PUBLIC SCRUTINY POLICY BRIEFING – The Director of Policy and Resources circulated the Centre for Public Scrutiny Policy Briefing 19 on welfare reform.  The briefing examined the Welfare Reform Act 2012, set out the policy landscape, the legislation and explored how local government overview and scrutiny could address those issues raised by the reforms and the impact on local government.

Resolved – That the policy briefing be noted.

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