Agenda item

To note the upcoming Cabinet Work Programme.

The DSGOS informed Members that despite it being on the Work Programme for October, the Medium Term Financial Strategy would come to the Committee for Pre-Scrutiny in January, and go to Cabinet for approval in February. He added that this was an approach being taken by many authorities across the Country. The DSM stated that the NEWS contract renewal was expected to go to Cabinet in November.

Questions and Discussion

       i.          The Chairman stated that a Cabinet Working Party for projects was due to meet in the coming weeks and asked whether any update could be provided on how this would operate alongside the Scrutiny Panels. The DSGOS referred to the Scrutiny Panel Terms of Reference agreed some months ago, and noted that the introduction of the Panels had been put on hold until it was known how the Cabinet Working Party would operate. It was noted that the Cabinet Working Party would allow the Executive to oversee its projects and provide the necessary governance structure previously provided by individual project boards, which had been criticized for their lack of transparency. The DSGOS stated that due to the limited workload, it was likely that only one Scrutiny Panel would be required, and now that the first Cabinet Working Party meeting had been scheduled, informal discussions would take place to determine how the Scrutiny Panel would operate.

      ii.          The CE raised concerns regarding potential repetition, and noted that the Committee already reviewed reports on the Council’s major projects. He added that he was in the process of reviewing working practices to ensure that parallel Working Parties  would be the best use of time and resource to generate added value. The Chairman noted that there had been caution amongst Committee Members in taking this approach, and it would be helpful to agree a way forward prior to proceeding. He added that it would also be helpful for the Committee to feed into appointments to any future Panels.

     iii.          Cllr S Penfold reiterated concerns of repetition as the Committee already actively monitored two of the Council’s major projects. He added that it was important for the Committee to retain its ability to question Portfolio Holders directly on their projects. The Chairman noted that it would be prudent for the Committee to agree in advance what it was comfortable for the Panels to review.

    iv.          The CE informed Members that a Changing Places initiative was being launched by Central Government that the Council had submitted an expression of interest to. He added that this programme could be of great interest to the Committee in the months ahead.

      v.          Cllr L Withington referred to the Committee’s beach huts and chalets monitoring, and suggested this would be a good topic for the Scrutiny Panels. The DSGOS informed Members that the beach huts and chalets review had been completed by an O&S Task and Finish Group prior to the election, over the course of six-months. He added that the report would provide an update on the implementation of the outcomes of that review, taking into account that the management of the service had changed, following the Council’s restructure.

RESOLVED

To note the Cabinet Work Programme.