Agenda item

To consider a report by the Scrutiny Coordinator (copy enclosed) seeking a review of the committee’s forward work programme and updating members on relevant issues.

12.00 p.m.

A copy of a report by the Scrutiny Coordinator, which reviewed the draft Forward Work Programme for the Communities Scrutiny Committee and provided an update on the relevant issues, had been circulated with the papers for the meeting.

 

The Committee’s draft forward work programme (FWP), Appendix 1, had been inherited from its predecessor Committee.  Members were requested to consider whether the FWP reflected the new Committee’s wishes and priorities.  Members were informed that details of the FWP for the Partnerships and Performance Scrutiny Committees had been included in the information papers circulated previously.

 

The Cabinet’s FWP had been included at Appendix 3 to the report and a table summarising recent Committee resolutions, advising Members on progress with their implementation, had been attached at Appendix 4. 

 

It was explained that, In performing its role, the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs Group could seek individual Scrutiny Committees to take ownership of specific topics.  At its last meeting in April, 2012 no specific recommendations were made with respect to Communities Scrutiny Committee.

 

The Committee considered the draft FWP for future meetings as detailed in Appendix 1, and reference was made to the following issues:-

 

A completed proposal form from officers for a report to be included on the Committee’s forward work programme had been included at Appendix 2.  This request related to resource levels and the principles of community engagement with respect to major infrastructure projects that affect the County.  Members felt that this important matter merited discussion and the item was included in the Committees FWP for July, 2012. 

 

Members supported a suggestion by the Corporate Director: Customers that a report be submitted detailing the progress in respect of the recent highway investment programme.  Councillor J.M. Davies requested that the report be extended to include the Council’s strategic vision with respect to major transport infrastructure developments in Denbighshire.  The Committee agreed that a report on progress with highways in Denbighshire, including major infrastructure links within the Highway Network be included in the Work Programme for October, 2012.

 

Having regard to the optimum number of agenda items to be transacted at a meeting, Members agreed that the reports on Control of Caravan Sites and the Management of allocation of Section 106 Commuted Sums, scheduled for the July, 2012 meeting be rescheduled for a later date.

 

At the request of Members the following matters were included in the Work Programme, either as information reports or as reports for consideration by the Committee:-

 

-          Winter Maintenance and Gritting

-          Grass Cutting

-          School Transport Arrangements

-          Allotments

-          Town Plans

 

In response to a question from Councillor J.M. Davies relating to Objective 1 funding and a building on Kings Avenue, Prestatyn which had not been let and remained empty, the Committee agreed that an information report be submitted in respect of this matter.

 

The Scrutiny Coordinator explained that the September meeting of the Scrutiny Committee would be held in Rhyl due to consideration of the three workstreams in the programme which related to the Rhyl Going Forward Project.  It was explained that the meeting could examine other issues pertaining to Rhyl, such as the new cycle bridge, and include a tour of the key sites.

 

The Committee considered the appointment of Committee Representatives on the following Council Groups and Boards:-

 

Service Performance Challenge Groups - Scrutiny Committees had been invited to appoint a representative to each Group to act as the Committee’s contact for each service.  The following Members were appointed:-

 

Housing & Community Development – Councillor R. Murray

Children and family Services – Councillor W. Mullen-James

Adult & Business Services – Councillor R. Murray

Environmental Services – Councillor C.H. Williams

Education and Customers & Education Support – Councillor H. Hilditch-Roberts

Communications, Marketing & Leisure – Councillor J Welch

Finance & Assets – Councillor T.R. Hughes

Highways & Infrastructure – Councillor H.O. Williams

Regeneration – Councillor W. Mullen-James

Planning & Public Protection – Councillor H.O. Williams

Strategic Human Resources – Councillor H. Hilditch-Roberts

 

The Scrutiny Coordinator agreed to liaise with Councillor C. Guy-Davies in respect of the Legal & Democratic Services and Business Planning & Performance Service Challenge Groups.

 

            Strategic Investment Group - Members appointed Councillor H. Hilditch-Roberts to serve on the Group and Councillor H.O. Williams as the Committee's substitute representative on the Group in the event of the Chair being unable to attend.  The Group would meet on a monthly basis to consider the Council’s future capital requirements and bids for capital funding and external grants.  The terms of reference of the Group had been included in Appendix 6 to the report.

 

Conwy and Denbighshire Collaboration Programme Board - The report outlined the membership and role of the Board and a copy of the Board’s terms of reference had been included in Appendix 7 to the report.       The Committee agreed that Councillor W. Mullen-James be appointed to serve as its representative on the Board.

 

Following further discussion, it was:-

 

RESOLVED – that:-

 

(a)     subject to the above, the Partnership Scrutiny Committee approves the Future Work Programme as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

(b)     appoints the Members, as stated above, to serve on each of the Service Performance Challenge Groups.

(c)     appoints Councillor H. Hilditch-Roberts to serve on the Council’s Strategic Investment Group, and

(d)     appoints Councillor W. Mullen-James to serve on the Conwy and Denbighshire Collaboration Programme Board