Agenda and minutes

It was moved, seconded and carried:-

That Mr. Mike Jones CC be appointed Deputy Chairman for the period ending with the date of the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2007.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 May 2006 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been asked 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 other items of urgent business.

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

A copy of the Annual Plan (Best Value Performance Plan) has been circulated to all Members of the Council as an Information Item.  Please bring a copy of the report along to the meeting.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning the draft Annual Plan (Best Value Performance Plan) for 2006/07.  A copy of the report, which was circulated to all members of the County Council, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:-

(a)       The Cabinet be advised as follows:-

            (i)         That whilst recognising the external requirements placed on the Council to produce an Annual Plan alongside the Medium Term Corporate Strategy, the Community Strategy and Local Area Agreement Delivery Plan, the Commission is of the view that there would be merit in rationalising these and producing two key plans, one addressing the key priorities and actions to be delivered directly by the County Council and the second, those to be delivered in partnership with others.  Such an approach would assist in the understanding, implementation and monitoring.

            (ii)        That with regard to the contents of the Plan consideration be given to the following suggestions:-

                        Part One

                        Page 4     Recognising the key role played by Governing Bodies in increasing academic attainment.

                        Page 4     Recognising the achievements of children with special educational needs and those educated in non school settings e.g. the Pupil Referral Unit.

                        Page 12   Acknowledging the fact that the Leicestershire Household Waste Management Strategy had yet to be agreed by other partners.

                        Page 13   Acknowledging that the County Environmental Strategy also addresses the issue of climate change.

                        Page 14   Listing the key priorities referred to in the first paragraph and adding a sentence emphasising the County Council’s determination to tackle drug crime.

                        Performance Indicators

                        Page 3     BV 39 – whilst recognising that this target is set nationally, consideration should be given in the County Council’s ‘Good to Great Campaign’ to retaining the higher challenging target rather than accepting a lowering of the target.

            (b)       That further information be provided to all members on the recently introduced Attendance Management Policy via the Members’ Information Service.

The Commission considered a report of the Director of Resources outlining the progress made by the County Hall Travel Plan Co-ordination Team on implementation of the County Hall Travel Plan.  A copy of the report marked ‘B’ is filed with these minutes.

Members were advised that whilst, good progress had been made, the greatest impact on reducing car use would be through the introduction of alternative methods of working, including home working.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and the progress made to date be welcomed.

Powerpoint presentation on how the application by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to become a Foundation Trust was scrutinised.

Mr. D. Houseman CC, the Chairman of the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee gave a powerpoint presentation on how the application by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to become a Foundation Trust had been  scrutinised.  A copy of the slides used in the presentation is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:-

That the report be noted.

A draft report to be submitted to the County Council is attached for approval.

The Commission considered a draft of a report to be submitted to the County Council outlining the work undertaken by Scrutiny bodies in the previous municipal year.  A copy of the report marked ‘C’ is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:-

That the draft report be approved for submission to the County Council.

A list of proposed dates for future meetings will be tabled for the Committee’s approval.

RESOLVED:-

(a)       That the following dates be agreed for future meetings of the Commission in 2006/07:-

            Thursday 13 July at 10.30 am

            Wednesday 30 August at 2.00 pm

            Wednesday 11 October at 2.00 pm

            Wednesday 15 November at 2.00 pm

            Wednesday 20 December at 2.00 pm

            Wednesday 31 January at 2.00 pm (provisional date to consider the budget)

            Wednesday 28 February at 2.00 pm

            Wednesday 25 April at 2.00 pm

(b)       That a meeting of the Scrutiny Reference Group and Scrutiny Committee Chairman be convened to discuss:

            (i)         work programmes of scrutiny committees;

            (ii)        the issues to be raised with the Leader at the Commission’smeeting on 13 July 2006.

21 June 2006.

2.00 pm – 4.10 pm                                                                           CHAIRMAN