Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2009 were taken as read, confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been asked under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

The Chairman informed the Commission that he intended to take an item of urgent business relating to the use of community facilities at St Hardulph’s C of E (Controllled) Primary School, Breedon on the Hill. 

The following members declared  personal non-prejudicial interests as members of Leicestershire District Councils:

Messrs G A Boulter CC, S J Galton CC, G A Hart CC, D Jennings CC, John Legrys CC, P G Lewis CC, Dr M O’Callaghan CC and R J Shepherd CC

There were no declarations made under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16.

The Chief Executive reported that no petitions had been received under Standing Order 36.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive on progress in implementing the Action Plan of the Leicestershire Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy – “Sensible Measures” and a proposed revised vision statement for the strategy.  A copy of the report, marked ‘A’, is filed with these minutes.

The following points arose from questions and discussion:

• There was a need to invest more resources in educating the public about the health risks associated with excessive consumption of alcohol; NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland had identified alcohol related harm as one of its key health priorities so this should result in more resources being directed in this area;

• It was noted that a number of measures were being taken to discourage the sale of alcohol to under-age people, particularly through Trading Standards and Licensing activities;

• A pilot scheme with Loughborough University was being developed to discourage excessive alcohol consumption by students;

• It was suggested that the extent of consumption of alcohol by BME groups could be a consequence of faiths and beliefs in those groups.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and welcomed.

The Commission considered this matter, the Chairman having decided that it was of an urgent nature because of the implications for the Council.  Consideration was given to a joint report of the Director of Children and Young People’s Service and the County Solicitor and a supplementary report on this matter which had been submitted to the Cabinet on 7 April 2009.  The Cabinet had deferred consideration of this matter.  Copies of the report and the supplementary report are filed with these minutes.

In the discussion that followed a number of members suggested that it was not appropriate for the Commission to discuss this matter before legal proceedings had taken place as any comments now made might prejudice the outcome of those proceedings.  It was suggested that it would be more appropriate to scrutinise the matter, particularly the process, once the outcome of the legal proceedings was known.

Views were also expressed that it was appropriate for the Commission to make comments to the Cabinet before the Cabinet made a decision.

It was moved by Mr Hart and seconded by Mr Jennings

'(a) That consideration of this matter be deferred pending the outcome of legal proceedings and that it be considered again after the outcome of those proceedings is known;

(b) That the Cabinet be recommended to give careful consideration to the possible implications of prejudicing the outcome of the legal proceedings when it discusses this matter at its meeting on 24 April 2009.’

The motion was put and carried 6 members voting for the motion and 5 against.

RESOLVED:

(a)   That consideration of this matter be deferred pending the outcome of legal proceedings and that it be considered again after the outcome of those proceedings is known;

(b)   That the Cabinet be recommended to give careful consideration to the possible implications of prejudicing the outcome of the legal proceedings when it discusses this matter at its meeting on 24 April 2009.

The Commission considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources that sought its comments on the draft Sustainable Commissioning and Procurement Strategy (2009-13) before it was submitted to the Cabinet for approval.  A copy of the report, marked ‘B’, is filed with these minutes.

It was suggested that a performance measure should be included to measure the impact of the strategy on stimulating the local economy.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive that contained the draft Annual Report from Scrutiny Bodies to be submitted to the County Council.  A copy of the report, marked ‘C’, is filed with these minutes.

The following points were made:

• More should be done to publicise Scrutiny’s contribution to the work of the Council, particularly by Review Panels, via Leicestershire Matters, press releases and the Council’s web site;
• In addition to the annual report on Scrutiny to the Council, as required under the Council’s Standing Orders, consideration should be given to producing an annual report on Scrutiny activity for wider general public consumption.

RESOLVED:

That the annual report be submitted to the Council.