Agenda item

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

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance providing an update on the current programme of work.  The Committee was requested to review the position on each item with a view to removal or otherwise specifying the exact area of scrutiny and suggested deadlines for completion.  The current programme of work was set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

Conduct Complaints

Following consideration of a separate report earlier in the meeting, this item would remain.

Council’s Accounts

Despite the concerns of some Members as to why the Council had reached the position it had and the process behind or affecting it, it was accepted that this was a live item of business still to be brought back to and concluded by the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee.  It was noted that the Auditors were due to complete their work and the matter brought to that Committee towards the end of November, and it was therefore agreed to await this outcome.  Officers were asked to clarify the date of publication of the accounts and the period for public inspection.  It was further agreed that Councillor Mrs J L Fleming be the Member sponsor for this scrutiny item.

Due Diligence: Capita

It was noted that this contract had already begun and that a briefing note would be prepared and circulated to Members outside of the meeting.  This item would then be deleted.

Health Care Provision

No new or specific item of scrutiny was identified and therefore this item would be deleted.

Monitoring of the Organisational Change Programme

Councillor R H Siddall reported that he had met with the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance who had made documents available.  He advised that it may take a period of up to three meetings before he was in a position to report back with an identified area of scrutiny.  This item would therefore remain until the new year.

Monitoring of the Organisation Change Programme: Monoworld

It was noted that a briefing note would be prepared and circulated to Members outside of the meeting.  This item would therefore now be deleted.

Provision of Car Parking:  Park and Ride Schemes within the District

It was noted that progress on Tesco meeting the requirements of the S106 agreement would be reported to the December meeting.

Provision of Car Parking:  Identification of a second Park and Ride Scheme within the District

Since there was nothing in terms of an opportunity currently to be looked at, it was agreed that this item be deleted.

Scrutiny of the application of the District Council’s Commercial Strategy:

It was noted that this was a new Strategy and that the Commercial Manager was due to start on 18 November 2019.  It was suggested however that this might become a wider piece of work for the new year. 

Of concern to Members was the process for agreeing commercial activity, decisions taken by Officers and the involvement of Members, the latter being important due to potential public reaction.  It was pointed out that the Strategy detailed the process and it remained to be established whether it was being followed.  The Director of Service Delivery pointed out that there was Member involvement through the Events Working Group and that Officers had financial targets to meet and were obligated to look to maximise potential revenue from the Council’s activities.

It was agreed that this item should remain on the programme of work.

Section 106 (S106) Updates

In light of the decision taken earlier in the meeting this item would now be deleted.  Officers were reminded of the previous request to clarify whether there were any unallocated monies, and following a question from Councillor W Stamp with the consent of the Chairman to identify how much might have been collected had CIL been implemented.

Working Group: Overview of Corporate Leadership Team and Leader of the Council Decision Making

Following a suggestion by Councillor R H Siddall it was agreed that the nominated Working Group members meet with the Lead Officer to establish the exact nature of decisions to be scrutinised and draft terms of reference for the Working Group.  It was further agreed that the Chairman of the Committee joins the Working Group.

RESOLVED

(i)              that the Programme of Work be updated to reflect the matters and positions set out above;

(ii)           that no new items of scrutiny are identified arising from this review.