Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor S. P. Shannon.

There were no declarations of interest nor whipping arrangements.

The Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 16th September 2013 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The Portfolio Holder for Health and Well-being thanked Members for the comprehensive Youth Provision Task Group Report and confirmed that the recommendations had been agreed by Cabinet.  However, clarification had been requested on a number of recommendations.  Officers provided the following response:

Recommendation 3 – it was confirmed that the £15,000 funding was provided by Sandwell Leisure Trust and Worcestershire County Council had informed the Task Group Members that on completion of a written specification, providers would be asked to tender for the work.  The Task Group had been concerned at the delay which had occurred in this process and that it would not be completed in time for activities to be provided over the summer break.

Recommendations 7, 8, and 9 – Officers had spoken to the Communications Manager who had confirmed that there would be no cost implications in respect of these recommendations.

It was noted that in respect of recommendation 1 the Leader had indicated that he was in discussions with the Leader of Worcestershire County Council in order to understand the extent of potential cuts to Positive Activities. Unfortunately the Portfolio Holder was not able to provide any information on the outcome of those discussions.

RESOLVED that the recommendations be included within the quarterly recommendation tracker and the Youth Provision Task Group Report be reviewed in 12 months time.

The Vice Chairman informed Members that the second meeting of this joint scrutiny, which was hosted by the Council, had taken place on 10th October 2013.   The Task Group had reviewed the content of the original business case for Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) and one of the newsletters which were published on a quarterly basis.

Members had also provided some initial feedback on behalf of colleagues at participating local authorities about Members’ experiences of working with WRS.  A deadline of 31^st October 2013 was agreed for receipt of feedback from elected Members across the county.  It was important that, as the host authority, the Council provided feedback and the Vice Chairman encouraged Members to contact him or the supporting officers with any positive and negative comments they might have. The parish councils had also been asked to provide feedback.  The Task Group hoped to complete its investigations by April 2014.  It was also confirmed that the scope of the investigation would cover value for money.

The next meeting of the Task Group would take place on 22nd October 2013 and would include an interview with the Head of Regulatory Services.

The Chairman invited Councillor B. T. Cooper, as the Council’s representative on the HOSC, to provide an update on its most recent meeting.

Members were informed that there had been 2 main agenda items at the meeting held on 8th October, the first being the Well Connected Programme, which had integrated the care services within Worcestershire, this included the commissioning groups, district and county councils roles and local health groups.  It was noted that as this was at its early stages the benefits and outcomes would be available in due course.

The other item considered was the Joint Service Review which NHS England had now become involved in as an independent group and was it reviewing the two remaining options.  It was hoped that a response would be available by December, however the previous timelines had slipped and HOSC had also highlighted that it was keen to see that the consultation with the public was carried out in a more efficient and timely manner than previously.

Members also discussed the debt within the Worcestershire Acute Health Service group and how this was historical and that it was understood that this had not worsened.

In the absence of the Head of Planning and Regeneration it was

RESOLVED that the item be deferred until the meeting to be held on 16th December 2013.

The Board was informed that several actions had been completed and would be removed from the list.  Items in respect of the Finance Monitoring Report and Sickness Absence Performance and Health Report would be included within the next reports received by the Board.

The Executive Director, Finance and Resources, referred Members to an outstanding item from the March meeting and suggested that it would be helpful for all Members to receive a briefing from the Benefits Manager on the Hardship Fund and the Universal Credit scheme.

RESOLVED that Democratic Services Officers arrange a briefing for all Members in respect of the Hardship Fund and Universal Credit Scheme as soon as possible.

The Board considered the Cabinet Work Programme for 1st November to 28th February 2014.  Officers reminded Members that they were due to consider the Car Parking Review item at the November meeting and had requested a summary of the Playing Pitch Strategy which had been scheduled for the December meeting of the Board.

Officers confirmed that the Dodford, Hagley and Beoley Conservation Area Appraisals and Management plans were technical documents produced by a Conservation Officer in line with English Heritage Guidelines.  Similar documents had been produced in for Bromsgrove Town and St John’s in 2011.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Work Programme be noted.

The Board considered the Work Programme and discussed the number of reports which were scheduled for the November meeting.  There had been a delay with producing the Quarter 1 Write Off Report and Sickness Absence Report and it was agreed that these would be combined with the 2nd Quarter reports to be received at the December meeting.

The Chairman gave Members the opportunity to suggest topics which it was felt may be suitable for consideration by the Board at future meetings.  It was suggested that an update on the preventative work carried out in respect of flooding in the District would be pertinent in view of the approach of the winter months.

Members also discussed the recent staff survey and requested that the results of this would be an appropriate subject for the Board to consider.  After further discussion it was

RESOLVED:

(a)  that officers arrange a presentation providing an update on preventative flooding work within the District from the relevant officer, to be received at the meeting to be held on 16^th December 2013; and

(b)  that the Board receive a presentation on the results and findings of the staff survey as soon as practicable.