Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor B. Lewis F.CMI.

No declarations of interest or whipping arrangements were made.

The minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Steering Board held on 5th February 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record.

The Chairman of the Refuse and Recycling Task Group, Councillor C. R. Scurrell, was welcomed to the meeting and he presented the Refuse and Recycling Scrutiny Report to the Board. 

Councillor Scurrell first wanted to thank all those who had assisted with the scrutiny investigation including other Members of the Task Group, officers and the facilitator.

It was pointed out that Bromsgrove District Council was ranked 50 out of 393 (one being the best) for its combined recycling and composting for the year 2006/07 and that it was the highest ranked authority in the County.  It was also stated that the recommendations relating to NVQ training for the workforce were considered key.

The Board considered each recommendation in turn.  Questions were raised relating to the first recommendation on NVQ training and these were answered. 

RESOLVED:

(a)    that it be clarified which NVQ level refuse and recycling crews would be required to undertake if recommendation one was approved; and

(b)    that the Refuse and Recycling Scrutiny Report containing recommendations be approved.

RECOMMENDED that the Refuse and Recycling Scrutiny Report be placed on the next available Agenda for Cabinet’s consideration and all recommendations contained within the report be approved.

The Board considered the membership of the two newly established Task Groups.  An additional membership form for the Alcohol Free Zones Task Group from Councillor Mrs. M. Bunker was tabled.

It was commented that the response from Members to join either of the Task Groups had been poor and therefore it was suggested that Members be canvassed once more.

Members of the Board also discussed appointing a Chairman for the Anti?Social Behaviour Task Group and the terms of reference of the Alcohol Free Zones Task Group.

RESOLVED:

(a)    that Councillor K. Taylor be appointed as Chairman of the Anti-Social Behaviour Task Group;

(b)    that the scrutiny exercise scoping checklist for the Alcohol Free Zones Task Group, which would act as the Task Group’s terms of reference, be approved; and

(c)     that a letter be sent to all non-Cabinet Members requesting them to complete a membership form if they wish to join one of the recently established Task Groups.

The recommendation tracker report was considered.  Members were informed that, in relation to Air Quality Scrutiny recommendation 16 (b), at a recent meeting of the Modern Councillor Steering Group, it had been agreed that a showing of the film “An Inconvenient Truth” would be organised and would be incorporated within the Member Training Programme.  It was suggested that the film could be the basis of a discussion and that Ms. R. Ford from the Energy Saving Trust could assist and act as a facilitator.

RESOLVED that the recommendation tracker and verbal update on Air Quality Scrutiny recommendation 16 (b) be noted.

Members of the Board considered the Cabinet’s Forward Plan which contained the key decisions scheduled to be made over the next few months.

The Chairman asked for further details on item number 14 on the Cabinet’s Forward Plan which related to the Artrix Service Level Agreement (SLA).  The Chief Executive assured Members that the reason for the SLA was to ensure the Council received value for money.  It was stated that the Performance Management Board had also considered this item at the end of 2007 and was due to consider the draft SLA at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a)    that Councillor J. T. Duddy, as Chairman of the Performance Management Board, ensure that the Performance Management Board considers the draft Artrix Service Level Agreement; and

(b)    that the Cabinet’s Forward Plan be noted.

Consideration was given to the work programme for the Scrutiny Steering Board.

It was explained that the Energy Efficiency Project Group was at the development stage and the key issues it was considering included working towards reducing carbon emissions (which meant the Council needed to investigate current levels) and developing a sustainability statement and a travel plan for the Council.  The Executive Director – Partnerships and Projects informed the Board that the next meeting was scheduled to be held on 26th March 2008.

With regard to Value for Money in relation to Street Scene and Waste Management and the ICT Spatial Programme, there was a discussion on whether these topics should remain on the Scrutiny Steering Board’s work programme or whether it was more appropriate to refer one or both topics to the Audit Board or Performance Management Board for consideration. 

RESOLVED:

(a)    that the Executive Director – Partnerships and Projects submit a report  to the meeting of this Board on 3rd June 2008 on the progress of the Energy Efficiency Project Group;

(b)    that ‘Climate Change’ as a possible topic for scrutiny, be deferred until the meeting of this Board on 3rd June 2008, following consideration of the report mentioned in (a) above;

(c)     that all other topics stated on the Scrutiny Steering Board’s work programme remain listed and be considered at a future meeting when existing Task Groups have completed their scrutiny investigations; and

(d)    that the remainder of the work programme be noted.