Archived decisions

R.J. Baulk

p K.G. Chapman

p A.P. Collett

p Dr R.J. Ellis

p B.T. Gurden

P.A. Heath

p P.R.C. Hutcheson

p Jo Kelly

p Mrs. C.A. Leversha

a A.R. Ludlow

a A. Weeks

Action

89

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were reported on behalf of Councillors Ludlow and Weeks.

90

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code. No such interests were declared on this occasion.

91

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 April 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

92

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's Communications on this occasion to the meeting.

93

REVIEW OF CURRENT SCRUTINY ARRANGEMENTS

The Committee considered the final draft report and recommendations of the review of current scrutiny arrangements (Item 5 in the Minute Book). The review had dealt with the progress of the Select Committees to date and sought to gauge Members' and senior officers' current perceptions and understanding of scrutiny. It had also looked at the current scrutiny operating protocols to identify opportunities for improving the delivery of a robust scrutiny function at the County Council.

In response to questions, it was explained that the recommendations contained within the report would, in the first instance, be reported to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources who had the option to forward this item to Cabinet.

The Committee welcomed this Member driven piece of work and supported the proposed recommendations subject to two minor amendments. They felt in relation to `barriers to effective scrutiny' that bullet point five of paragraph 3.7.1 of the report should be amended to read "Lack of officer and resources time". Also, they recognised the merit of introducing informal meetings between the relevant Select Committee Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, Opposition Spokespeople etc to provide an early alert to emergency issues ... (Recommendation G of report refers). However, they queried the practicality of such meetings being held regularly as proposed due to Members' other competing commitments. Therefore, it was agreed to amend this recommendation by deleting `regular informal meetings' to read `informal meetings'.

Action

Chief Exec (Emma Gordon/

Marie Mannveille)

94

SCRUTINY REVIEW AND PROCUREMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF FURNITURE AND FITTINGS

The Committee considered the final draft report and recommendations of the scrutiny review of procurement, replacement and disposal of furniture and fitments (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

Councillor Carol Leversha, as Chairman of the Furniture Scrutiny Review Group introduced the report. It had arisen out of Members' desire to understand the decision process affecting the selection of furniture for the County Council's Ashburton Court refurbishment project. Councillor Leversha highlighted some of the key issues and wished to place on record her thanks to Councillor C. Bailey for her contributions.

In supporting each of the recommendations, the Committee asked that they be grouped together either at the start or conclusion of the report. Also, they felt that an Executive Summary would be a useful addition. The Scrutiny Officer explained that further work would now take place with Property, Business and Regulatory Services, prior to the recommendations in this report being considered by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources.

Action

Chief Exec (Emma Gordon)