Report to: Overview and Scrutiny Committee Date: Monday 22nd October, 2007 Report Author: Paul Preston, Overview and Scrutiny Officer Work Programme of the Committees and Sub-Committees – Monitoring and Review 1. Purpose of Report 1.1 Members are invited to monitor and review the Work Programmes of the Committee and Sub-Committees and note and/or amend the Committee and/or Sub-Committees Work Programmes. 2. Recommendations 2.1 That Members’ monitor and review the Work Programmes of the Committee and Sub-Committees and note and/or amend the Committee and/or Sub-Committees Work Programmes. 3. Background 3.1 The latest version of the work programmes for the Committee and Sub-Committees are attached at Appendices 1A, 1B and 1C for Members information. 3.2 A copy of the latest edition of the Council Forward Plan is also attached at Appendix 2. Members are invited to identify any Forward Plan items which they wish to be included in the work programme. 3.3 The criteria previously agreed by the Committee to assist with the selection of work programme items is attached at Appendix 3 1 4. Reasons for Recommendations 4.1 The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is the relevant body to monitor and review the Work Programme of this Committee and its SubCommittees. 5. Alternative Options considered and Reasons for Rejection 5.1 Not applicable 6. Implications Issue Comments Financial (including mainstreaming) Legal Assessment of Risk Equality Key Decision Not applicable Not applicable There are no significant risks identified Not applicable Not applicable 7. Consultations 7.1 The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is the relevant body to consider this matter. 2 8. Links to Corporate Priorities Priority Comments Corporate Governance and Community Leadership The monitoring and review of the Committee and Sub-Committees Work Programmes is the responsibility of the Overview and Scrutiny as defined in the Council’s Constitution. Comments as above Comments as above Comments as above Comments as above Comments as above Community Safety Housing and the Environment Economy and Employment Culture and Leisure Other priorities with partners: Health and Social Care Education and Lifelong Learning 9. Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985: List of Background Papers Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 18th June, 2007. Meetings of the Resources and the Communities and Well-Being Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees – July – September, 2007. 10. Freedom of Information The report does not contain exempt information under the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A and all information can be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 3 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (Chair: Councillor D Hayes) APPENDIX 1a Topics Suggested Timescale Officer Contact Minutes of last meeting 18 February, 2008 Paul Preston Responses of the Executive to reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 18 February, 2008 Paul Preston Work Programmes of the Committee and Sub-Committees – monitor and review 18 February, 2008 Paul Preston Invitations to External Meetings / Networking Opportunities 18 February, 2008 Paul Preston The work of Scrutiny Panel(s) – Update on Progress (Ad-Hoc) 18 February, 2008 Paul Preston Budget Scrutiny 18 February, 2008 Joe McIntyre, Executive Director – Resources Topics to be allocated a date Suggested Timescale Officer Contact Transport/Highways – Presentation by LCC Highways (condition of Inner Roads in Hyndburn) Provisionally allocated for 22nd October, 2007 meeting (subject of confirmation of availability to attend by LCC) Lancashire County Council (LCC) Environment Directorate (Highways) Local Government White Paper – Update To be reallocated from October 2007 meeting to a future date. David Welsby, Managing Director 4 Resources Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee (Chair: Councillor Jennet Liddle) WORK PROGRAMME 2007/2008 Appendix 1B Topics Suggested Timescale Officer Contact Minutes of last meeting (Standing Item) 13 November, 2007 Paul Preston Responses of the Executive to reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Standing Item) 13 November, 2007 Paul Preston Work Programme (Standing Item) 13 November, 2007 Paul Preston Overview & Scrutiny Improvement Plan – Progress Report (Standing Item – July, November & March meetings) 13 November, 2007 Paul Preston Scrutiny Panels – Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules - to receive a progress/final report on the Scrutiny Panel (Policies and Procedures) (Ad-Hoc) 13 November, 2007 Paul Preston Council Budget - Monitoring report on budgetary position (Standing Item - See Sub-Committee’s main terms of reference) 13 November, 2007 Joe McIntyre (Portfolio: Cllr Haworth) Service Plans – to be submitted on a programmed basis (Standing Item – See minutes of Resources Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 19th March, 2007) Selected Plan: Benefits and Customer Services 13 November, 2007 Pauline Duckworth (Portfolio: Cllr Haworth) 1. Update on the performance between Hyndburn & Blackburn with Darwen Borough Councils – 12 month report back. 13 November, 2007 David Welsby, Managing Director / Sayyed Osman Executive Adviser to Hyndburn, Blackburn with Darwen BC (Portfolio: Cllr Britcliffe) (added as a Work Programme Item at Resources O&S Sub-Committee meeting held on 11th September, 2006) 5 Topics Suggested Timescale Officer Contact 2. Green Spaces Strategy 13 November, 2007 Craig Horabin, Parks & Open Spaces Manager 3. Sustainable Community Strategy 13 November, 2007 Scott Butterfield, Principal Policy & Research Officer 4. Housing Benefits and Customer Service – Progress and future plans. 13 November, 2007 Pauline Duckworth, Head of Benefits & Customer Services. Minutes of last meeting (Standing Item) 29 January, 2008 Paul Preston Responses of the Executive to reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Standing Item) 29 January, 2008 Paul Preston Work Programme (Standing Item) 29 January, 2008 Paul Preston Update on Committee Decisions and Recommendations (Standing Item – September & January meetings) 29 January, 2008 Paul Preston Scrutiny Panels – Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules - to give consideration to the appointment of a Scrutiny Panel (Ad-Hoc) 29 January, 2008 Paul Preston Council Budget - Monitoring report on budgetary position (Standing Item - See Sub-Committee’s main terms of reference) 29 January, 2008 Joe McIntyre Service Plans – to be submitted on a programmed basis (Standing Item – See minutes of Resources Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 19th March, 2007) 29 January, 2008 Corporate Performance Manager (Service Managers) 1. Job Evaluation – Outcome report (added as a Work Programme Item at Resources O&S Sub-Committee meeting held on 15thJanuary, 2007) 29 January, 2008 Head of Human Resources (Executive Director – Legal & Democratic Services) 6 Topics Suggested Timescale Officer Contact 2. ICT for Members – Update on progress 29 January, 2008 Scott Gardner – Head of ICT 3. 29 January, 2008 Minutes of last meeting (Standing Item) 18 March, 2008 Paul Preston Responses of the Executive to reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Standing Item) 18 March, 2008 Paul Preston Work Programme (Standing Item) 18 March, 2008 Paul Preston Overview & Scrutiny Improvement Plan – Progress Report (Standing Item – July, November & March meetings) 18 March, 2008 Paul Preston Scrutiny Panels – Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules - to give consideration to the appointment of a Scrutiny Panel (Ad-Hoc) 18 March, 2008 Paul Preston Council Budget - Monitoring report on budgetary position (Standing Item - See Sub-Committee’s main terms of reference) 18 March, 2008 Joe McIntyre Service Plans – to be submitted on a programmed basis (Standing Item – See minutes of Resources Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 19th March, 2007) 18 March, 2008 Corporate Performance Manager (Service Managers) 1. Equalities Scheme – Progress against Action Plans 18 March, 2008 Head of Human Resources 2. Annual Report on the Leisure in Hyndburn Charitable Trust (including review on the Performance of the Accrington Information Centre) 18 March, 2008 (See minutes of Resources Overview & Scrutiny SubCommittee held on 17th July, 2007 and Cabinet minute of 7 25th June, 2007) 3. 18 March, 2008 4. 18 March, 2008 Topics to be allocated a date / for consideration as Scrutiny Panel topics Suggested Timescale Officer Contact Cost of Christmas Decorations/Activities 2007/2008 Municipal Year (suggested timescale Nov 2007 – Jan 2008) Steve Watson (Kevin Leadbitter) (added as a Work Programme Item at Resources O&S SubCommittee meeting held on 19th March 2007 for consideration as a Scrutiny Panel Topic during the 2007/2008 Municipal Year to undertake an in-depth examination of the cost of Christmas Decorations/Activities in Hyndburn, including procurement and storage). (Now Allocated) Review of Selected Council Policies (selection of a topic for Policy Review/Development) Approved timescale: JulyNovember, 2007 Energy Efficiency – Vehicles (the topic to be expanded to include information on power saving measures that could be implemented) – Possible Scrutiny Panel topic 2007/2008 Municipal Year To be allocated “Green Review” – such as Power Saving measures (usage 2007/2008 Municipal Year of lights, computers on standby etc – keeping costs to a minimum) – Possible Scrutiny Panel topic To be allocated Vehicle Leasing and Associated Matters (added as a Work Programme Item at Resources O&S Sub-Committee meeting held on 11th September, 2006) - Possible Scrutiny Panel topic Environmental Services Manager 2007/2008 Municipal Year 8 9 Topics to be allocated a date Suggested Timescale Officer Contact Procurement Policies and Practices – Overseeing work to develop Hyndburn’s policies in relation to the national Strategy for Local Government Procurement (See minutes of former Service Improvement O&S Committee Work Programme 2005/2006) 2007/2008 Municipal Year Executive Director – Resources / Nicola Hallsworth Contact Centre – Progress and future plans. 2007/2008 Municipal Year Rachael Mabbutt, Senior Contact Centre Officer (Pauline Duckworth) Accrington Market Hall – Refurbishment – Progress Report 2007/2008 Municipal Year To be allocated Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act (CNEA) – impact of Smoking ban / Chewing Gum problems 2007/2008 Municipal Year Chief Environmental Services Officer Waste Collection Policies (Policy Development)` 2007/2008 Municipal Year (High Priority) Steve Riley, Waste Services Manager The Work of the Organisational Development Section (Human Resources) – Progress and Future Plans 2007/2008 Municipal Year Head of Human Resources (Steph Badley, Organisational Development Officer) Topics requiring written response only for Resources Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee Members consideration. Suggested Timescale Officer Contact Annual Joint Ventures Report (Exempt Information) Written correspondence only Joe McIntyre, Executive Director - Resources Community Advice Centre – Progress and future plans Written correspondence only Shaukat Ali, Community Advice Centre Manager 10 Floral Market Towns Initiative – Outcomes / future plans Written correspondence only Steve Watson, Area Councils Manager Cemeteries & Crematorium Service – Progress and Future plans Written correspondence only Janice Tolson Topics requiring a report back to Resources Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee Scrutiny Panel – Report & Findings/Recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel on the scrutiny of a Service Budget (Policy & Performance Team) Suggested Timescale Officer Contact October,2007 Chief Finance Officer requested to provide update on progress made in achieving recommendations within 6 months following submission of report to Cabinet. Information due - July 2007 onwards. Michael Walker, Corporate Performance Manager January 2008 onwards Service Managers (Report submitted to Cabinet – 4th April, 2007) Annual Efficiency Statement – Backward Looking Annual Efficiency Statement. (Resolution 2 – meeting 19th March, 2007 – “That the Corporate Performance Manager be requested to inform the Sub-Committee of the 2006/07 Backward Looking Annual Efficiency Statement once performance has been assessed” Service Plans – 6 month updates – written updates to be received from Service Managers 6 months after the submission of their Service Plans to the Sub-Committee. 11 Communities & Well-Being Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee (Chair: Councillor Janet Storey) APPENDIX 1C WORK PROGRAMME 2007/2008 Topics Suggested Timescale Officer Contact Minutes of last meeting (Standing Item) 14 November, 2007 Paul Preston Responses of the Executive to reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Standing Item) 14 November, 2007 Paul Preston Work Programme (Standing Item) 14 November, 2007 Paul Preston Overview & Scrutiny Improvement Plan – Progress Report (Standing Item – July, November & March meetings) 14 November, 2007 Paul Preston Scrutiny Panels – Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules - to receive the final/progress report of the Scrutiny Panel on the topic “Hyndburn Homes”. (Ad-Hoc) 14 November, 2007 Paul Preston 1. Policing Matters (including Scrutiny on Police & Communities Together (PACT)) 14 November, 2007 Lancashire Constabulary 2. Review of the effectiveness of Dispersal Orders (Oswaldtwistle/Rishton) 14 November, 2007 Lancashire Constabulary 3. Community Cohesion – Production of a Community Cohesion Strategy for Hyndburn. 14 November, 2007 Robert Ruston (Nick Moule) 12 Topics (Continued) Suggested Timescale Officer Contact Minutes of last meeting (Standing Item) 23 January, 2008 Paul Preston Responses of the Executive to reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Standing Item) 23 January, 2008 Paul Preston Work Programme (Standing Item) 23 January, 2008 Paul Preston Update on Committee Decisions and Recommendations (Standing Item – September & January meetings) 23 January, 2008 Paul Preston Scrutiny Panels – Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules - to give consideration to the appointment of a Scrutiny Panel (Ad-Hoc) 23 January, 2008 Paul Preston 1. Community Safety Partnership (CSP) – Update Progress/Future Plans 23 January, 2008 Cllr B Roberts, Chair of CSP 2. Town Centre – Masterplan Options 23 January, 2008 Nick Moule / Bill Huntly 3. Regeneration Strategy – Vision and Delivery 23 January, 2008 Nick Moule Minutes of last meeting (Standing Item) 19 March, 2008 Paul Preston Responses of the Executive to reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Standing Item) 19 March, 2008 Paul Preston Work Programme (Standing Item) 19 March, 2008 Paul Preston Overview & Scrutiny Improvement Plan – Progress Report (Standing Item – July, November & March meetings) 19 March, 2008 Paul Preston 13 Topics (Continued) Suggested Timescale Officer Contact Scrutiny Panels – Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules - to give consideration to the appointment of a Scrutiny Panel (Ad-Hoc) 19 March, 2008 Paul Preston 1. Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) – Update Progress/Future Plans 19 March, 2008 Chair of LSP LSP Manager 2. 19 March, 2008 3. 19 March, 2008 4. 19 March, 2008 Topics to be allocated a date / for consideration as Scrutiny Panel topics Suggested Timescales Officer Contact Royal Blackburn Hospital – Standards of Cleanliness – MRSA 2007/2008 Municipal Year Jo Cubbon Hyndburn Homes (including Repairs Service) Until November, 2007 Hyndburn Homes Blighted Sites 2007/2008 Municipal Year Mick Onley, Environmental Initiatives Officer Topics to be allocated a date Suggested Timescales Officer Contact Licensing in the Private Rented Sector as Introduced by the Housing Act 2004 – Update report (Added at former Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee in January, 2006) 2007/2008 Municipal Year Julian Hickinbottom Housing Market Renewal – Progress/Issues 2007/2008 Municipal Year Mark Hoyle 14 East Lancashire Hospitals National Health Service Trust – 2007/2008 Municipal Year the case for and against the fluoridation of Water Supplies (Added at former Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee in November, 2005) East Lancashire Primary Care Trust New Bus Station – Progress Report 2007/2008 Municipal Year Steve Tanti Scrutiny on Rapid Transport Route (review of proposals) 2007/2008 Municipal Year Lancashire County Council Topics requiring a report back to Communities & WellBeing Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee Suggested Timescales Officer Contact Scrutiny Panel – Report & Findings/Recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel on the scrutiny of Dog fouling in the Borough October,2007 Chief Environmental Services Officer requested to provide update on progress made in achieving recommendations 6 months following Cabinet Meeting. Update Report – Work being undertaken to reduce the Under 18 Conception Rate in Hyndburn (Added at former Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee in January, 2006) 2007/2008 Municipal Year Wendy Hemsworth, Lancashire Teenage Pregnancy Co-Ordinator East Lancashire PCT 12 month update report on progress, challenges and achievements and future plans 2008/09 Municipal Year David Peat, Chief Executive, east Lancashire PCT June 2008 (2008/09 Municipal Year) Steve Tanti (Added at Communities and Well-Being Overview & Scrutiny Committee in September, 2007) (Report submitted to Cabinet – 4th April, 2007) (Initial responses received June, 2007, further report to follow October, 2007) (Added at Communities and Well-Being Overview & Scrutiny Committee in September, 2007) Communities for Health Programme (Review) 15 APPENDIX 2 HYNDBURN BOROUGH COUNCIL FORWARD PLAN 1st OCTOBER 2007 TO 31ST JANUARY 2008 PREPARED ON BEHALF OF THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL (COUNCILLOR P. BRITCLIFFE) This plan contains all the key decisions which the Council expects to make over the next four months. The plan is rolled forward every month. It will next be published on the 19th October 2007. Each key decision will be published as soon as possible after having been made and will be available for public inspection at the Council Offices, Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod Street, Accrington. DEFINITION OF A KEY DECISION A Key Decision, as defined in Article 13 of the Council’s Constitution is: Any Executive decision which requires significant expenditure or savings, having regard to the Council’s budget, for the service or the function to which it relates. Expenditure will be deemed significant if it exceeds the following amounts: General Fund Revenue Account - £75,000 Capital Programme - £100,000 Any Executive decision where the outcome will have a significant impact on communities in two or more wards. MEMBERSHIP OF HYNDBURN BOROUGH COUNCIL – CABINET 2006/07 Councillor P. Britcliffe, Leader of the Council Councillor B. Roberts, Deputy Leader of the Council (Community Services) Councillor P. Clarke (Deputy Leader: Environmental Protection) Councillor M. Haworth (Portfolio: Finance, Asset Management and Markets) Councillor A. Dad (Portfolio: Community Cohesion) Councillor L. Wilson (Portfolio: Leisure, Arts & Parks) Date of Publication: 19th September 2007 16 HYNDBURN BOROUGH COUNCIL FORWARD PLAN 1st October 2007 to 31st January 2008 Decision Taker Portfolio Holder Key Decision Production of options and preferred option for Core Strategy Development Plan Document Review of Licensing Policy To approve the Sustainable Community Strategy for Hyndburn Cabinet Council Council Expected Date for Consideration Consultations Arrangements for Representations Reports and Background Papers available Contact Officer Cllr. Brian Roberts, Deputy Leader of the Council, Community Services October 2007 Development Plan Working Group and Leader’s Policy Board To contact officer Report and background papers to Cabinet, 17th October 2007. Paul Worswick, Plans & Environment Manager Email: paul.worswick@hyndburnbc.gov.uk Cllr. Brian Roberts, Deputy Leader of the Council, Community Services December 2007 Public consultation from 06/08/2007 to 29/10/2007 To contact officer Jim Livesey, Environmental Health Public Protection Manager Email: jim.livesey@hyndburnbc.gov.uk Cllr. P. Britcliffe, Leader of the Council January 2008 With Councillors, LSP Assembly and Stakeholders (including Community Network for residents and Council Officers) To contact officer Report and background papers to Cabinet, 28th November 2007 and Council, 4th December 2007. Report and background papers to Council, 4th December 2007. 17 Rob Grigorjevs, Head of Policy, Partnerships & Performance Email: rob.grigorjevs@hyndburnbc.gov.uk Appendix 3 Criteria for selecting work programme items: 1. Is this topic a key priority for the Council? (e.g. as identified in the Community Strategy and Corporate Plan) 2. Is this topic important to the public? (e.g. are Members aware of public concern, has the issue been raised at Area Councils, has it been raised via public consultation?) 3. Is there evidence of poor performance which Overview & Scrutiny should investigate? (e.g. from performance information) 4. Does the Council spend a significant proportion of its budget on this issue? 5. Is this issue important to Members? 6. Is anyone else already looking at this issue? (i.e. is it really necessary for Overview & Scrutiny to spend time on this?) 7. Is this the right time to look at this issue? (e.g. is it about to change anyway?) 8. Will the time spent on this item be worthwhile? (e.g. can Overview & Scrutiny really make a contribution to this issue?) 9. Is there scope to involve the public, voluntary groups or other organisations in this topic? 18 19