Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 14^th November, 2001 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

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

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

There were no urgent items for consideration.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations made under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure.

The Chief Executive reported that there were no petitions to be presented under Standing Order 36.

The Commission considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and County Treasurer concerning progress up to the end of September 2001 against the Performance Indicator targets and commitments that were made in the Council’s published Best Value Performance Plan for 2001/.02.  A copy of the report marked ‘B’ is filed with these minutes.

 

In reply to comments the County Treasurer agreed that there was a need for targets in subsequent years to be amended particularly in those circumstances where there had been a change of definition.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the report be noted.

 

(b)       That, in relation to the commitments in the best value performance plan relating to the development of a Community Plan/Strategy, the Cabinet be advised:-

 

(i)         of the need to progress the development of a Community Plan/Strategy;

 

(ii)        of the wish of the Commission to be involved/consulted at each stage of the development of the Plan/Strategy.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning the decision of the Education and Heritage Scrutiny Committee on 5^th December relating to partnership working and governance arrangements.  A copy of the report marked ‘C’ is filed with these minutes.

 

During the discussion on this matter the following points were made:

 

·        there was a need to clarify the legal framework that underpinned any partnership the County Council entered into;

·        whilst it was necessary to be aware of all partnerships the County Council had entered into, the focus of any review should be on those partnerships that County Council was required by Government to enter into;

·        the recognition by the Government in the White Paper – ‘Strong Local Leadership – Quality Public Services’ about the proliferation of partnerships and the need to reduce these was welcomed.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the work in hand to address the issues relating to partnership working and governance arrangements, be noted and the Chief Executive be requested to submit a report thereon to the March meeting of the Commission.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning arrangements made for meetings of Scrutiny meetings to examine the budget proposals.  A copy of the report marked ‘D’ is filed with these minutes.

 

The Commission was advised that the Cabinet were simultaneously consulting with a number of stakeholders, including the business community and the voluntary sector.  A number of suggestions for improving the clarity of wording of the document were put forward by the Committee and accepted by the County Treasurer.

 

It was moved by Mr. Jones and seconded:

 

“(a)      That the arrangements for Scrutiny of the budget proposals as outlined in the report, be noted.

 

(b)       That the Chief Executive be requested to invite representatives of the following organisations to attend the next meeting and advise the Commission of their views of the budget proposals:-

 

-           Leicestershire Association of Voluntary Agencies;

-           Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.”

 

The motion was put and resulted in a tied vote, 6 members having voted for the motion and six against.  The Chairman exercised his ‘casting vote’ in favour of the motion. The motion was accordingly carried.

The next meeting of the Commission will be held at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 31^st January, 2002.

RESOLVED:

 

That the next meeting of the Commission be held at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 31^st January, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

16^th January, 2002                                                                                  CHAIRMAN

2.30 p.m. – 3.45 p.m.