Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 15 April, 2002
PRESENT:
Councillors: S.A. Hayes (Chairman); Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; I.F.E Beagley; J.V Bryant; P.J. Chegwyn; A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; C. Davidovitz; Mrs. P.M. Devereux; R.J. Ellis;
W.J. Filer; K. House; P.R.C. Hutcheson; M.J. Kendal; P. Luffman; P.A. Pierce; M.J. Roberts; J.G.L. Wall.
26 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 February, 2002 were confirmed, as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.
27 COMMITTEE'S TIMETABLE OF FUTURE DECISIONS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 2 in the Minute Book) on future items including Leader's key-decisions which it wished to comment upon. It was clarified that the timetable should read member and not number generated items.
A member raised concerns about the current reorganisation of the postal services and felt this should be discussed at an early meeting.
Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report and timetable be noted.
(ii) That the Head of Economic Development arrange for a report to the next meeting about the reorganisation of the postal services and its impact on sub post offices.
28 HEALTH REVIEW AND SCRUTINY
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive and Director of Social Services (Item 3 in the Minute Book) about its proposed new role as the County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee.
The Director of Social Services gave a short presentation on the partner organisations the County Council would need to work with, on the complexities of the new function and on the sorts of issues which might be reviewed.
During a full discussion the Committee expressed concern that the Government had not identified any new funding for the initiative. Also, whilst noting the issues for review identified in appendix 2 to the report to Cabinet were only suggestions, felt it would be helpful to add those further issues raised by a Member at the meeting i.e. health- inequalities, wider determinants of health issues (employment/transport etc), work place occupational health and the synergy between Health and Social Services.
In view of the importance of the subject matter, all Members asked to be given an opportunity to attend the planned Seminar in June and it was agreed to defer making nominations to a sub-committee to advise and assist in working up proposals until after the Seminar. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Chief Executive organise with representatives from partner organisations a Seminar at Sparsholt College on 19 June 2002 to form the County Council's development of proposals for health review and scrutiny; the County Council to be represented at the Seminar by those Members of this Committee who are able to attend, together with 2 Members each from the Education and Social Care Policy Review Committee, the Leader and the Executive Members for both Education and Social Care.
(ii) That at its July meeting the Committee appoint a small sub-committee to advise and assist in working-up, for consultation with partner organisations and the public during the latter part of the year, proposals for how the Policy Review Committee will operate as the County Council's health scrutiny committee; the sub-committee to be assisted by other relevant Policy Review Committee and Executive Members as agreed at its July meeting.
(iii) That, at its July meeting, the Committee considers a first draft of a consultation paper setting out the County Council's proposed arrangements for health scrutiny and a draft programme of reviews.
(iv) That individual Members forward to the Chief Executive at their earliest convenience any comments on the Department of Health Consultation Paper `Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny' for consideration and inclusion in the County Council's response to be made by the end of April 2002.
29 BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on the Best Value Performance Plan for 2002/03.
RESOLVED:
That progress on the Best Value Performance Plan 2002/03 and the developing outline timetable for future reporting be noted.
30 BEST VALUE REVIEW - REGULATORY SERVICES
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive and Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the project brief for this best value review. It was clarified that Councillor Mrs E.S.M. Barron would serve in place of Councillor J.G.L. Wall on the review team. Also, it was confirmed that the review team would research comparisons with Devon and Warwickshire Councils, who are recognised for their good practices in these areas.
RESOLVED:
That the approach to the review as outlined in the project brief and timetable to the report be approved.
31 BEST VALUE - OUTCOMES REPORT OF THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BEST VALUE REVIEW
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Economic Development (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on this best value outcomes report. In supporting the recommended planned improvements, members recognised the need to review resource implications and noted that they would receive a future report on the Economic Development Office which would include its funding in comparison with other County Councils.
RESOLVED:
(i) That approval be given to the Improvement Plan, together with the organisational initiatives set out in paragraph 6.2 of the report in order to secure improvements in the County Council's performance in achieving the third aim of its Corporate Strategy.
(ii) That the submitted report be considered by the Executive Member for Economic Development and the Corporate Management Team and that their views be passed on to the Cabinet for its detailed response and endorsement.
(iii) That progress on the `Improvement Plan' be reported annually to this Committee.
32 NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor and County Planning Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) about the Natural Resource Management Initiative.
RESOLVED:
That following the Cabinet's agreement to National Resource Management on 29 October 2001 the further progress and direction of this initiative be supported.
33 IMPACT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER `STRONG LOCAL LEADERSHIP - QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES'
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive and County Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining the impact of this Act and related issues.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the contents of the White Paper and the responses made to Government be noted.
(ii) That the Committee receive a further report once the outstanding Government papers have been received.
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