Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance (copy enclosed).

The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance Presented the Programme of Work to the Committee advising that with the commencement of the new structure from 3 October 2019 the Committee would be working toward the new Terms of Reference.  Members were asked to review the current programme of work with a view to removing standing items, those which could not be progressed further, or alternatively add timelines for completion.

Waste Water

Following the presentation from Anglian Water at the 28 August 2019 meeting, it was acknowledged that no further work could be done on this item and therefore it was agreed that it be removed from the Programme of Work.

Health Care Provision

A portion of the Committee believed that this item ought to remain as it was considered crucial. 

Councillor E L Bamford, the Member Sponsor, requested that the item be retained.  She concurred with the Officers report that specifics on the S106 monies be designated as part of that item and that performance reports form part of the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee (PGA) agenda.  However, other aspects covered as part of this item of scrutiny should remain.

The Chairman put Councillor E L Bamford’s suggestions to the Committee and, following a vote, it was agreed this item remain on the Programme of Work.

Section 106 (S106) Updates

A discussion ensued with the majority Members requesting that this item remain.

The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance confirmed that S106 Updates would be reported to PGA, however any items going to this Committee should be on how S106 was reviewed or reported.  Members were reminded that this item of work had evolved from the recording of S106’s to scrutinising specific items on the database, and that a lot of prior concerns had been dealt with.  A percentage requested that the Committee retain a watching brief.

It was agreed that this item remain subject to review following receipt of the report due at the 31 October 2019 meeting.

Business Opportunities for Maldon District Council

Councillor S P Nunn expressed concern that this item specifically related to a request from Essex Police for additional space at the Council’s Princes Road offices and requested that this should form part of a wider brief to scrutinise decisions on the Council’s commercial operations.

In response to questions, the Director of Service Delivery confirmed that an accommodation offer had been made, but it remained under consideration by Essex Police.

The Chairman reminded the Committee that it was not their responsibility to identify business opportunities, but instead to scrutinise decisions taken by the Council.  Several Members suggested that this item remain on the Programme of Work with a wider brief so long as projects were reviewed effectively. The practicality of monthly updates was considered, followed by a short discussion as to whether this would be more suited to a working group of the Strategy and Resource Committee (S&R) with this item revisited for specific projects.

Councillor M S Heard expressed concern that Independent Members had been denied access to Working Groups, suggesting that Overview and Scrutiny had been formed to provide public reassurance, and this item should be retained to ensure that Independent Members remain informed.  The Chairman confirmed that Members had access to the minutes of working groups which would evidence the appropriate handling of items of work. 

The Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) confirmed that the Commercial Strategy would be taken forward by S&R, with concerns open to scrutiny by this committee.  It was further advised that this Committee should only be looking at specific occurrences requiring investigation, and a reminder that the role of the Committee was retrospective, and that duplication of work should be avoided.

The Chairman confirmed that the Committee had a duty to identify problematic operations and considered the work plan for the previous twelve months was too non-specific.  The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance confirmed that quarterly performance reports go to PGA Committee with issues being scrutinised by this committee as supplement to the Programme of Work.

Councillor S P Nunn proposed that scrutiny of the Application of the Council’s Commercial Strategy be added to the Programme of Work, and this was duly seconded.

The Chairman put Councillor S P Nunn’s proposal to the committee, and upon a vote being taken it was agreed that this item be added to the Programme of Work. 

Subsequent to the vote, it was agreed that Councillor S P Nunn and Councillor M S Heard be the Member Sponsor, and that Business Opportunities for Maldon District Council be removed from the Programme of Work.

Monitoring of the Organisational Change Programme

Councillor R H Siddall confirmed that an issue had been identified and requested that this item remain on the Programme of Work until the outcome had been fed back to Committee.

The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance confirmed that either specifics and deadlines be provided to the 31 October 2019 meeting of this committee or it be confirmed that this item be closed.

Provision of Car Parking

Events at Promenade Park

The Director of Service Delivery confirmed that the review by South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) was in hand, and would be an ongoing item of work for S&R.

The Committee agreed that, subject to the Director of Service Delivery circulating the completed review, Events at Promenade Park could be removed from the Programme of Work.

Park and Ride Schemes within the District and
Identification of a Second Park and Ride Scheme within the District

Councillor E L Bamford stated that this was a valid item of scrutiny and requested that this remain with a report identifying any links to items that may have similar failings as the Tesco Stores agreement.  The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance advised this would result in a duplication of work and requested that Members avoid generalising and identify specific items.

The Committee agreed that the items relating to Park and Ride Schemes be retained as an item on the Programme of Work.

Waste Contract

A brief discussion confirmed that the item was complete as the issue regarding the reliability of contractor vehicles had been fully investigated.  The Director of Service Delivery confirmed that the contract with SUEZ was under review, and should any further concerns raised this could be reinstated.

Councillor V Bell raised concerns on recycling and waste disposal within the district and was advised by the Chairman that this should be raised under Agenda Item 8, Any other items of scrutiny Members wish to consider.

The Committee agreed that this be removed from the Programme of Work.

Review of Fire and Rescue Service Provision within the Dengie

The Committee agreed that following the presentation from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) and no subsequent concerns being raised this item of work had been completed and could be removed from the programme of work.

RESOLVED

(i)              That the following items be removed from the Programme of Work:

·                 Business Opportunities for Maldon District Council;

·                 Provision of Car Parking:

o       Events at Promenade Park;

·                 Review of Fire and Rescue Service Provision within the Dengie;

·                 Waste Contract;

·                 Waste Water.

(ii)            That the following items remain on the Programme of Work:

·                 Health Care Provision;

·                 Monitoring of the Organisational Change Programme

·                 Provision of Car Parking:

o       Park and Ride Schemes within the District;

o       Identification of a Second Park and Ride Scheme within the District;

·                 Section 106 Updates.

(iii)          That the following items be added to the Programme of Work:

·                 Scrutinisation of the Application of the District Councils Commercial Strategy