Places Scrutiny Panel – 1 October 2014

PRESENT: – Councillor Evison in the chair.

Councillors England, Glover, Godfrey and Oldfield.

Councillor Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

413 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following member declared a personal interest –

Member Minute Nature of Interest
 Councillor England  419 Member of Humberside Police and Crime Panel
 Councillor Evison  419 Member of Humberside Police and Crime Panel

No whip was declared.

414 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 10 September 2014, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chairman.

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

416 CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – Resolved – That consideration of this item be deferred to a future meeting.

417 PREPARATION FOR THE GENERAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS – 7 MAY 2015 – The Chairman welcomed Simon Driver, the council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Mel Holmes, the council’s Head of Democratic Services and Anthia Taylor, the council’s Electoral Services Manager to the meeting to discuss the preparations for the general and local elections on 7 May 2015.

The Returning Officer briefed members on the following –

• Lessons learnt from Scrutiny Review
• Preparation leading up to the election
• Training of staff – Presiding Officers, Poll Clerks, Count Staff
• Opening of Postal Votes
• Polling Day – Two General Elections and a Local Election
• Location of Count – Facilities
• Verification and Count – Thursday night and/or Friday
• Clean Up

Following the Returning Officers update, the Chairman facilitated a discussion between panel members and the Returning Officer, Head of Democratic Services and Electoral Services Manager.

Resolved – (a) That the Returning Officer, Head of Democratic Services and Electoral Services Manager be thanked for their attendance and for answering members questions, and (b) that the panel receive a further update on election preparations on 25 February 2015.

418 THE PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – The Director of Policy and Resources provided an oral update on the status of the review.  Members also discussed a suitable date to invite stakeholders in to discuss their experiences of running attractions in North Lincolnshire.

Resolved – (a) That the update be noted, and (b) that the 12 November meeting be moved to 7.00 pm, to which tourism stakeholders be invited.

419 HUMBERSIDE POLICE AND CRIME PANEL – The Chairman informed members that North Lincolnshire Council was now providing the secretariat for the Police and Crime Panel.

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