Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and, as this was the first meeting of the new Board, Members were invited to introduce themselves.

The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Councillor Udall (the previous Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board (OSPB)) and the previous Members of the Board for their contribution to Scrutiny over the past four years.

Apologies were received from Mrs E A Eyre.

None.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in writing or by e-mail indicating the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case 16 June 2017).  Enquiries can be made through the telephone number/e-mail address below.

None.

(previously circulated)

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 March 2017 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Board was asked to:

·       Consider the aims of overview and scrutiny and note its remit;

·       Note the remits of each Overview and Scrutiny Panel;

·       Designate one Member as the lead member for Crime and Disorder matters; and

·       Agree whether consideration of the Children and Young People's Plan 2017-21 should be delegated to the Children and Families Overview & Scrutiny Panel.

Aims of Overview and Scrutiny Overview and Scrutiny Panel Remits

The Board was reminded that the aims and key roles of overview and scrutiny had been considered 4 years ago and were set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Agenda Report and that those Members who were Panel Chairmen would be expected to feedback on the work of their Panels at Board meetings.

Members were invited to consider the remits of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels and comment as necessary. 

The Board confirmed that it was content with the aims of Overview and Scrutiny and the remit of the Board and its Committee and Panels as detailed in the Agenda Report.

However, concern was expressed at the length of time taken by previous Task Groups in carrying out in-depth Scrutiny and whether the resources available to Scrutiny were sufficient.  In response, it was suggested that as well as being resource issues on occasions, some delays were due to Member and Officer availability to attend meetings and visits.

Crime and Disorder

The OSPB was the County Council's designated Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee and was required to meet at least annually to discuss issues relating to crime and disorder.  District Councils in the County also had Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committees which carried out more in-depth scrutiny of the work of the Community Safety Partnerships.

The Police and Crime Commissioner and the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel had brought an added dimension to the situation.  The OSPB would look to work with Worcestershire's representative on the Police and Crime Panel and would develop this relationship over time (although the OSPB had no power to scrutinise the Police and Crime Commissioner himself).

Previously, to avoid duplication, the OSPB had adopted a 'light touch' approach to scrutiny of crime and disorder and had designated one member of the Board as Lead Member for crime and disorder matters.

It was agreed that Councillor Paul Middlebrough should act as Lead Member for Crime and Disorder.  He was asked to consider ideas for future scrutiny and report back to the Board in due course.

It was suggested that consideration be given to holding the Annual Crime & Disorder Meeting at the 7 September OSPB.

Children and Young People's Plan 2017-2021

A new Children and Young People's Plan for 2017-2021 was currently being developed.  According to the Council's constitution, the OSPB would receive, comment and advise on the Plan as part of the Council's policy framework.  It would then be signed off by the Health and Well-Being Board and Cabinet in July, before being agreed by Council in September.

In previous years, consideration of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 982.

The Board was asked to consider how it would wish to determine its Scrutiny Work Programme for 2017/18 and agree whether it would wish to continue using the existing Scrutiny criteria as a guide for prioritising issues suitable for Scrutiny.

In order to avoid any delay in starting scrutiny, it was agreed that Panel Chairmen - following discussion with Panel Members would bring forward initial proposals to the next OSPB on 18 July 2017.  In doing this, they were asked to suggest ideas that were 'forward looking' and that would allow scrutiny to influence policy as it was developed, consider the issues from the 2016/17 Scrutiny Work Programme still to be completed, the additional issues detailed in the Agenda and the initiatives highlighted by the Budget Scrutiny Task Group.

It was agreed that set of criteria (listed below) would continue to be used to help determine its scrutiny programme.  A topic didn't need to meet all of these criteria in order to be scrutinised, but they were intended as a guide for prioritisation.

·              Was the issue a priority area for the Council?

·              Was it a key issue for local people?

·              Would it be practicable to implement the outcomes of the scrutiny?

·              Were improvements for local people likely?

·              Did it examine a poor performing service?

·              Would it result in improvements to the way the Council operates?

·              Was it related to new Government guidance or legislation?

The Chairman agreed to consider the good practice suggested at the recent Scrutiny Induction Training and report back to the Board on suitable suggestions for Scrutiny to take forward at the next meeting.

It was suggested that the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner should be invited to the next meeting on 18 July to discuss the Consultation about Fire and Rescue Governance and that all Councillors were welcome to attend.