Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no items of urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13 October 2015 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

Report of Head of Transformation

Purpose of report

This report, together with Appendix 1, provides a summary of the Council’s performance in Quarter 2 as measured through the performance management framework.  It provides an opportunity for the Committee to reflect upon the performance and determine whether there is a need to review performance in any of the services or to refer any specific points to the Executive for consideration at its next meeting on 30 November 2015.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1       note the achievements referred to in paragraph 3.1 (Table 1)

1.2         identify any performance related matters for review or consideration in future reports identified in paragraph 3.1 (Table 2)

1.3         identify any performance related matters which the Overview and Scrutiny Committee may wish to review or refer to Executive.

Resolved

(1)       That the report be noted

(2)       That no performance related matters be referred to Executive

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Transformation which detailed performance figures for quarter 2, 1 July to 30 September 2015.

The Committee commented that some of the performance measures were not very specific, and therefore did not appear to be very meaningful. The Acting Corporate Performance Manager agreed that some measures could be more specific, and the support of the Committee in trying to achieve meaningful measures would be very helpful.

In response to questions raised by the Committee, the Acting Corporate Performance Manager advised that detailed responses would be circulated once relevant information had been gathered from officers.

The Acting Corporate Performance Manager also provided an update to the Committee with regards to the Performance Team. The Acting Corporate Performance Manager would be stepping down from the position, but remaining in the team, with effect from 1 January 2016, and a new appointment would be made for a period of 18 months.

Resolved

(1)       That the report be noted

(2)       That no performance related matters be referred to Executive

Report of Head of Law and Governance

Purpose of report

This report presents the Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme 2015/16 for consideration. 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2015/16 as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

1.2         To select a service plan to review at an informal meeting early in 2016.

1.3         To note updates on the current reviews taking place.

1.4         To note any items of interest in the Executive Work Programme and consider whether to include them on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2015/16.

1.5         To consider if there are any other items Members would like to include on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme.

Resolved

(1)       That subject to the following additions, the work programme be approved: consideration of Community Infrastructure Levy; and update on website redevelopment

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Law and Governance which detailed the Overview and Scrutiny work programme for the coming year.

With regard to the Youth Engagement Review, Councillor Williams advised the Committee that all secondary schools had been spoken to regarding the intentions of the review, and further discussions were required with Warriner and Gosford schools. A further update would be provided at the next meeting.

The Chairman gave a brief summary of the trip to Westminster which had taken place with colleagues from South Northamptonshire Council. The group had met Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee, who had given a presentation on the format of Select Committees. The group had also had the opportunity to ask questions of MPs Chris Heaton-Harris and Andrea Leadsom, before spending some time watching an inquiry evidence session which was taking place the same afternoon.

In response to queries from the Committee, it was agreed that the presentation from the session would be circulated to the Committee.

With regard to items for future consideration, the Committee expressed an interest in the Community Infrastructure Levy, and also an update on the website redevelopment, as no further information had been received since the Joint Head of ICT had addressed the Committee in September.

In connection with a subject for the Service Plan review, the Committee expressed a possible interest in housing, in particular what measures were in place for monitoring registered social landlords.   

Resolved

(1)       That subject to the following additions, the work programme be approved: consideration of Community Infrastructure Levy; and update on website redevelopment