Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th November 2008 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 Rule 16.

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

The Commission considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources and Director of Community Services outlining progress setting out progress to date on delivering the County Council’s Environmental Purchasing Action Plan.  A copy of the report, marked ‘A’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED

That the good progress made on delivering the County Council’s Environmental Purchasing Action Plan be noted.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive which set out performance against key targets and commitments in the CPA Action Plan, LAA1 and Medium Term Corporate Strategy. The report also set out the latest position on introducing monitoring of LAA2 and a more comprehensive set of Equalities Performance data.  A copy of the report, marked ‘B’, is filed with these minutes.

In response to questions and comments the Commission was advised as follows:-

• Work was still underway to develop a baseline for a number of targets in LAA2 and that once this was done it would then be possible to provide members with data which tracked performance over several quarters. In addition in relation to the economic development targets it was proposed to produce a monthly monitor of key data (e.g. Unemployment) which could be made available to members;

• the seminar on Friday 19^th December would cover amongst other things how performance on LAA2 is to be monitored. In addition, details of an event organised by the East Midlands Improvement Efficiency Partnership on scrutiny of the LAA would be circulated to all members shortly;

• the concerns now expressed and the wish of members to be advised at an early stage of the risk of certain schemes not delivering the planned efficiency savings would be drawn to the attention of the Director of Corporate Resources.

Members of the Commission also noted that the Children and young People’s Service and the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees had recently reviewed performance on the recruitment of foster carers and older people claiming various benefits and would be monitoring these over the coming year.

RESOLVED

That the position now reported on progress against performance against key targets and commitments in the CPA Action Plan, LAA1 and Medium Term Corporate Strategy be noted.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning the issue of alcohol misuse and the actions taken by various agencies to address the consequences.  A copy of the report, marked ‘C’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted that that action plan proposed was in the early stages of implementation and the outcomes of the proposed actions would not be known for some time. Concern was expressed about the vision in the Alcohol Strategy and members were of the view that the action plan needed to set out specific measures to demonstrate the success or otherwise of the initiatives proposed and these outcomes should be incorporated within the vision.

With regard the availability of treatment provision members were advised that this was recognised as an issue and the Chief Executive of the NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland (PCT) was heading up a regional subgroup to address this.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and the Chief Executive be asked to submit a report to a future meeting setting out a more comprehensive vision for reducing alcohol misuse.

The Commission considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources and Chief Executive concerning a planned review of the County Council’s Industrial Properties Trading Account and County Farms Estate.  A copy of the report, marked ‘D’, is filed with these minutes.

The Head of Property advised that he would make available to the members details of valuation of both portfolios and of returns on the investment.

RESOLVED

That a five member panel be appointed to work with officers on the proposed review of the County Council’s Industrial Properties Trading Account and County Farms Estate.

The next meeting of the Commission will be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 28 January, 2009.

RESOLVED:

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 28^th January 2009 at 2pm.