Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2013.

That, subject to the amendment detailed below, the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 28 May, 2913 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Minute 6 – Air Quality across the District.

Penultimate paragraph – amend first sentence to read:

‘Committee Members raised extreme concern and disappointment that, even after detailed assessment, the declaration of an AQMA, and even the implementation of an Air Quality Action Plan, it appeared there was little the Council could do itself to ensure improvements were achieved.’

Report of the Director of Community and Environment

Summary

The report details the performance of the Brighter Futures in Banbury Programme in 2012/13, and considers the 2013/14 priorities and other associated Banbury matters.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to consider:

(1)  The progress and 2012/13 performance of them Brighter Futures Banbury Programme; and

(2)  Other aspects to be considered in the forthcoming activities of the programme.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor John Donaldson, Lead Member for Banbury Brighter Futures, Councillor Debbie Pickford, Lead Member for Housing, and Ian Davies, Director of Community and Environment.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Community and Environment detailing the performance of the Brighter Futures in Banbury Programme 2012/13 and advising priorities for 2013/14 and other associated Banbury matters.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Banbury Brighter Futures (BBF) and the Director of Community and Environment emphasised the positive progress made to date. The direction of travel on all themes was good, with all partners fully engaged.

The only area where progress had not been as great as it might have was in respect of education. This was mainly due to changes in personnel and efforts were underway to increase the pace of improvement and have educational achievement at or above the average for the County as a whole.

Regarding areas of concern previously identified by the Committee in respect of Air Quality and recycling rates, although the former was not directly linked with the BBF programme, the Lead Member for Banbury Brighter Futures undertook to investigate whether there were any areas where there were links and help might be given. Regarding recycling rates, a lot of work had been undertaken in the area with blitz teams and through education. With a high number of flats and Houses in Multiple Occupation, there were particular challenges, and although the area was kept tidy, more work was needed to increase recycling rates. As the Committee’s Work Programme included items in respect of all of the areas of concern, and the Director of Community and Environment undertook to feed into those items as information became available.

The Committee noted the good progress, but did raise some concerns regarding education and emphasised the importance of engaging with Head Teachers and School Governors regarding educational issues; the rolling-out of experience and good practice elsewhere across the District, and regarding the provision of housing accommodation.

In response to the Committee’s comments, the Lead Member for Banbury Brighter Futures undertook to investigate engaging directly with School Heads and Governors. The Director of Community and Environment added that the Chairman of the Banbury Schools Partnership had previously been involved, and further involvement could now be investigated.

The Committee was advised that the areas of greatest need in the district remained the Wards covered by the BBF Programme, and resources should therefore remain focused on these. Nonetheless, rolling-out experience gained and good practice was happening, particularly through Connecting Communities Events (one was planned for Bicester later in the year). The Thriving Families Programme, Early Intervention hubs in Banbury, together with Job Clubs and work done with NEET’s, had all produced lessons which could and were applied elsewhere. This was not a formal process and some Theme Leads were less able to progress matters than others. 

The Lead Member for Banbury Brighter Futures advised that public perception of progress made in the Wards covered by the programme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Report of Head of Law and Governance

Summary

This report presents the draft Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2012/13.

Recommendations

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is recommended:

(1)  To note the draft Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2012/13.

(2)  To delegate authority to the Head of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Chairmen of the two former scrutiny committees and the current Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to complete the foreword and to make any minor amendments to the annual report before submission to Council.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Law and Governance presenting the draft Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2012/13.

Resolved

(1)          That the draft Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2012/13 be noted.

(2)          That, subject to the further comments of Members of the Committee being considered and incorporated into the report, delegated authority be granted to the Head of Law and Governance, in consultation with the former Chairman of the two former scrutiny Committees, and current Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to complete the forward and make any minor amendments to the annual report before submission to Full Council.

Report of Head of Law and Governance

Summary

This report presents the Overview and Scrutiny work programme 2013/14 for consideration.

Recommendations

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is recommended:

(1)  To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme 2013/14 as set out at Appendix 1 of the attached report.

(2)  To note any items of interest in the Executive Work programme and consider whether to include them on the work programme 2013/14.

(3)  To consider if there are any other items Members would like to include on the work programme.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Law and Governance, which presented the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2013/14.

Executive Work Programme

The Committee agreed that there were no items in the Executive Work Programme for July to October, 2013 that they wished to include on their Work Programme in 2013/14.

Potential Work Programme Items

The Committee noted that scoping documents were being worked on with respect to a number of topics identified on the Work programme, and these would be submitted to the Committee for consideration at the August meeting.

The Chairman advised the Committee that plans were in-hand for a joint visit with South Northamptonshire Council’s Scrutiny Committee to the Houses of Parliament during the autumn to observe the Select Committee process.

Resolved

(1)            That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme be noted.

(2)            That no items in the current version of the Executive Work Programme (July to October 2013) be included on the Work Programme for 2013/14.