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Contact: Priya Patel 01344 352233
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Minutes and Matters Arising PDF 67 KB To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 24 November 2011. A summary of the action taken on issues raised by the Commission at its last meeting is appended to the minutes. Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED that, subject to the amendment to Minute 42 the minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 24 November 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising
Minute 41: Economic Skills Development Partnership: The Head of Overview and Scrutiny confirmed that a list of the Group’s membership had been sent to Members on 12 December.
Minute 42: Executive Forward Plan, 1029705: Asset Management Plan: First sentence to be amended to read: ‘A question was raised on the Asset Management Plan which was of a technical nature.’ |
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Declarations of Interest and Party Whip Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests and the nature of that interest, including the existence and nature of the party whip, in respect of any matter to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: Councillor Mrs Birch declared a personal interest as the partner of the Executive Member: Adult Services, Health & Housing. |
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Appointment of Parent Governor Representative PDF 26 KB To appoint Mrs Carol Murray to the Children, Young People & Learning Overview and Scrutiny Panel. Minutes: The Chairman welcomed Mrs Carol Murray to the meeting and said he was delighted that she would be joining the membership of the Commission, having been formally appointed by Full Council. The Commission agreed that Mrs Murray be appointed to the Children, Young People and Learning Overview & Scrutiny Panel for a term of office of four years. |
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Public Participation To receive submissions from members of the public which have been submitted in advance in accordance with the Council’s Public Participation Scheme for Overview and Scrutiny. Minutes: There were no items submitted under the Public Participation Scheme. |
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The Council's Budget Consultation PDF 21 KB To consider the Council’s draft budget proposals for 2012/13: a) Corporate Services Department b) Chief Executive’s Office c) Feedback from Overview and Scrutiny Panels and overall conclusions Additional documents:
Minutes: The Commission considered the Council’s draft budget proposals for 2012/13, the following points were made:
a) Corporate Services Department · The Director of Corporate Services reported that the Depot had lost income in the last year and had become less occupied; it was also likely that the level of rent secured would be lower in future years. · Every area of the Department had contributed to savings, in addition Corporate Services was the only department that had made savings year on year and had not had any growth. · In response to members’ queries, the Director of Corporate Services reassured members that the budget would be constantly under review to see if efficiencies or savings could further be made. · The Director of Corporate Services reported that at present the Customer Services Contact Centre aimed to respond to calls within five rings. There would be a reduction in the staffing of the contact centre and use of the upgraded telephony system to provide automated call transfers. It was noted that following a national benchmarking exercise, the Council’s response times were above average. · The Director of Corporate Services stated that she would seek clarification from the Borough Solicitor around fees paid for Section 106 Agreements and report back to members. · The Director of Corporate Services agreed to provide members with details around what was included in street indexes as described on page 39. · The Director of Corporate Services referred to page 63, the Capital Programme and stated that a member’s survey around IT was currently underway, it was clear that some investment in members’ IT was necessary. The CRM system was in need of upgrade and a new system was required for Asset Management. In addition, at the Great Hollands Community Centre there was a room at the back of the building which could be used by the community if it was made into a useable space. · The Director of Corporate Services stated that the power generator as detailed on page 66 would provide uninterrupted power supply for the Council’s IT systems and officers had been able to persuade power suppliers that the Council should be considered as a priority user as the Council supported vulnerable people. · The Director of Corporate Services assured members that the most competitive price for replacing laptops would be sought. · The general principle is that services to schools are charged for in a cost-neutral manner. · The contingency budget is held centrally. The contingency required depended on inflation ... view the full minutes text for item 49. |
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Executive Forward Plan PDF 17 KB Forthcoming items on the Executive Forward Plan of a corporate nature are attached for consideration. Additional documents: Minutes: Forthcoming items on the Executive Forward Plan of a corporate nature were considered by the Commission.
In response to members’ queries: · The Borough Treasurer explained that the Internal Audit Service had been mainly outsourced for some years, being the most cost-effective solution.
· The Borough Treasurer reported on 29 February 2012, this year’s Council budget was due to be agreed. From April 2012, the annual process would begin of considering the budget for 2013-14 and subsequent years. It was necessary to consider the medium term as well as the short term.
· The Director of Corporate Services reported that it was not yet known the level of revenue savings that would be achieved from the Postal Service Procurement Plan. |
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Quarterly Service Reports (QSR) and Service Plans 2011/12 PDF 112 KB To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the second quarter of 2011/12 (July to September) relating to:
· The Chief Executive’s Office · The Corporate Services Department
Please bring the previously circulated Quarterly Service Report to the meeting. Copies are available on request and attached to this agenda if viewed online.
The updated Service Plans for the Chief Executive’s Office and the Corporate Services Department are attached to the agenda for information.
In view of the size of the agenda, the Chairman has asked that any questions arising from the Quarterly Service Reports and Service Plans should be referred to either the Assistant Chief Executive or Director of Corporate Services in advance and only raised in the meeting if you consider the issue requires wider discussion. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Assistant Chief Executive made the following points on the Chief Executive’s Office Quarterly Service Report and Service Plan and in response to members’ queries:
The Director of Corporate Services made the following points in relation to the Corporate Services Quarterly Service Report and Service Plan and in response to members’ queries:
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Corporate Performance Overview Report (CPOR) PDF 289 KB To consider the Chief Executive’s Corporate Performance Overview Report for quarter 2 (July to September) of the 2011/12 financial year.
In view of the size of the agenda, the Chairman has asked that any questions arising from the report should be referred to the Assistant Chief Executive in advance and only raised in the meeting if you consider the issue requires wider discussion. Minutes: The Commission considered the Chief Executive’s Corporate Performance Overview Report for quarter 2 (July to September) of the 2011/12 financial year.
The Assistant Chief Executive made the following points:
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Berkshire Superfast Broadband Project PDF 21 KB To consider an information report on super-fast Broadband by the Assistant Chief Executive. Additional documents: Minutes: The Commission considered an information report on super-fast Broadband by the Assistant Chief Executive. The Commission hoped that the provision of super-fast Broadband would be progressed as detailed in the report. |
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Working Groups Update PDF 41 KB To note the progress of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s Working Groups.
To consider the Executive’s response to the letter from the Commission’s Working Group on Neighbourhood Engagement.
To consider establishing a Working Group on the Community Infrastructure Levy, as requested by the Executive. Additional documents: Minutes: The Commission noted the progress achieved to date by the Commission’s working groups.
The Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection reported that the Executive had endorsed the recommendations of the working group on Neighbourhood Engagement however there had been no appetite among Town and Parish councils to take on the responsibility of community centres.
The Chairman reported that the Executive had formally asked the Commission to set up a working group to consider the Community Infrastructure Levy, which would have a Council wide impact. The following members volunteered to participate in this working group: Cllrs;: Leake, Worrall, Heydon, Harrison, Mrs Birch, Virgo and Angell. The Chairman stated that he would get back to members on the membership of this group, and would consider how best to gain an input from the Parish and Town councils. It was noted that the working group would have a substantial workload and would need to meet very soon and regularly. |
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Updates from Panel Chairmen To receive verbal updates from the Overview and Scrutiny Panel Chairmen on each panel’s progress against the work programme, drawing attention to any major issues or changes needed to the programme.
Minutes: Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel Councillor Turrell reported that a petition had been submitted at the last meeting under the Public Participation Scheme around the future of Ladybank. The concerns of the petitioners were noted and the person who presented the petition had felt that it had been of value to attend the meeting and present the petition. The budget was also considered by the Panel.
Children, Young People & Learning Overview and Scrutiny Panel Councillor Mrs Birch reported that at the last meeting of the Panel, public and press had attended. The working group on the Common Assessment Framework had just concluded their work and their recommendations had been endorsed by the Panel and submitted to the Executive Member. A short review on school meals had also just been completed. A working group on school governance was due to begin work.
Environment, Culture & Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel Councillor McLean (Vice-Chairman) reported that the Panel was progressing well against its work programme.
Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel Councillor Virgo reported that the Panel was due to meet in the following week and that Phillip Lee MP was due to attend to talk about health and his vision. Working groups were progressing, albeit some had been delayed as a result of legislation not being finalised. |
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2012/13 Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme PDF 37 KB To suggest items to be included in the Commission’s Work Programme for 2012/13. The 2011/12 work programme is attached for reference. Minutes: Commission members suggested the following items for inclusion in the work programme for 2012/13:
The Chairman stated that he would liaise with the Head of Overview and Scrutiny on how much could be achieved within the limited resource available and time constraints. Members would then be asked to prioritise and volunteers would be sought. It was agreed that all members should be invited to participate in the Commission’s working groups with the exception of Executive members. |
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Dates of Future Meetings Thursday 29 March 2012 Thursday 3 May 2012 Thursday 12 July 2012 Thursday 13 September 2012 Thursday 22 November 2012 Thursday 31 January 2013 Thursday 28 March 2013 Thursday 2 May 2013 Minutes: The Commission noted the dates of future meetings as:
29 March 2012 3 May 2012 12 July 2012 13 September 2012 22 November 2012 31 January 2013 28 March 2013 2 May 2013
All meetings to be held at 7.30pm. |