Archived decisions

Committee:

Policy & Resources Select Committee

Date of meeting:

15 October 2009

Report Title:

Work Programme

Report From:

Chief Executive

Contact name:

Marie Mannveille, Scrutiny Officer

Tel:

01962 845018

Email:

[email protected]

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report. (NB: the list excludes published works and any documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.)

Document

Location

None

Overview / Pre-Scrutiny - To maintain an overview of issues relevant to the terms of reference of this committee, and to consider proposed scrutiny topics for inclusion in the work programme.

Topic

Issue

Lead Member / Officer

Status

23 Jul 09

15 Oct 09

21 Jan 2010

11 March 2010

Corporate Risk Management Strategy

Monitoring corporate progress against the Corporate Risk Management Strategy.

Members highlighted the following: The need to review risks which arise as a result of partnership working; The risks arising from flooding or other extreme weather conditions; The need for risk to be one of the factors clearly highlighted in reports going for decision.

Peter Andrews, Corporate Risk Manager, Chief Executive's Department

Follow-up from item on agenda July 2007. Annual update requested. Update received July 08 and July 09.

Update Report Due

IT update

Overview of I.T. issues and developments.

Jos Creese, Head of I.T.

Update received July 09. Cllr Reid requests next update to include Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity plans for I.T.

Update report due.

Update Report Due

Hantsdirect Contact Centre Implementation

Monitoring the implementation of this major corporate project.

Michelle Smith, Head of Resources, Chief Executive's Department

Oct 07 update. April 08 considered hantsdirect phase 2. October 08 considered hantsdirect phase 3. Update requested in a years time.

Update due.

Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan

Overview of progress against this plan, currently set for the period 2008-11.

David Pape, Head of Ecology, Environment Department

Item on this considered April 08. Annual update requested. Committee to consider if monitoring this is best done by this committee or the Environment & Transport Select Committee.

Update report due.

Budget and Performance Monitoring

To provide an overview of performance and budget issues as relevant to the terms of reference of this committee.

Bevis Ingram, Assistant County Treasurer

Following agreed cycle of budget scrutiny, final accounts are considered at the July meeting, and the proposed revenue budget and capital programme is considered at the January meeting.

Final Accounts Report due

Budget Monitoring Report

Capital Programme and Revenue Budget Reports

Sustainable Communities Act

To introduce the committee to what this act enables, and the recommendation of the Governance committee that this committee be `engaged in supporting the Executive to manage the progression of the County Council's responses to the Act'.

Rachel Higgins, Corporate Policy Officer, Chief Executive's

Recommendations of Governance committee were endorsed at County Council in July. Currently awaiting confirmation from national government regarding future `rounds' of invitations for proposals under the act. Report to this committee to be scheduled once there is greater clarity around this.

Economic Development

To consider the key opportunities and challenges for this department and its future direction

Alison Quant, new Director of Economic Development?

Mentioned at Full Council in July 2009 that scrutiny of economic development comes under this committee's remit. New Director of the department taking over in summer 2009.

Report due

Scrutiny - to scrutinise priority areas agreed by the Committee

Topic

Issue

Lead Member / Officer

Status

23 Jul 09

15 Oct 09

21 Jan 2010

11 March 2010

Review of HCC Recruitment and Retention of Staff

At the meeting in Jan 09 members requested this issue be reviewed, to look into what policies HCC has in place to ensure a workforce fit for the future, given anticipated challenges and changes to local government.

Gavin Wright, Director of Human Resources

A workshop was held in April 09 where members of the committee received evidence.

Draft report of findings to be considered by committee

Update on issues raised by the committee

HCC's relationship with the Voluntary and Community Sector

To consider the value for money provided by voluntary and community organisations.

Paddy Hillary, Corporate Policy Manager, and Jane Goodwin, Corp. Equalities & Third Sector Manager, Chief Executive's Department

The committee considered a report at its meeting in March 09 that had gone to Cabinet regarding a review of HCC's relationship with the `third sector'. Cabinet requested this committee consider undertaking a scrutiny review of the value for money provided by voluntary and community organisations.

Report due on potential scope for a scrutiny review of this topic

Monitoring Scrutiny & Overview Outcomes - to examine responses to the Committee's recommendations and monitor progress

Topic

Issue

Lead Member / Officer

Status

23 Jul 09

15 Oct 09

21 Jan 2010

11 March 2010

Review of Existing Scrutiny Arrangements (undertaken 2007/08)

Following progress made against the recommendations arising from this review of the processes currently supporting the scrutiny function.

Denise Holden, Corporate Scrutiny Manager, Chief Executive's Department

The cabinet response to the recommendations made by this review was considered and accepted by the committee in October 08. Over the ensuing year the committee will be monitoring the implementation of the recommendations as agreed.

update due

Update if necessary

Potential Review Topics/items for scrutiny

Topic

Issue

Lead Member / Officer

Status

23 Jul 09

15 Oct 09

21 Jan 2010

11 March 2010

I.T. Consultancy Framework

what benefit would there be in having a corporate policy/checklist for setting guidelines for the appointment of consultants? How could cost/benefit analysis and risk assessment form part of this policy/process?

Bevis Ingram? Assistant County Treasurer, County Treasurer's Department

Joss Creese, Head of I.T.

Use of consultants in general suggested as a topic in October 07. Focus not identified, item postponed due to other priorities. Agreed in 2008 that a report on the IT Consultancy Framework could be included at a future meeting to enable Members to see a broader picture as to the rationale behind the use and recruitment of consultants.

Efficiency of New Elizabeth II Court North East & West Buildings

To consider if the efficiencies anticipated have been achieved, and to consider potential additional ways to maximise use of the buildings

PBRS?

Suggested by Cllr Reid at July 2009 Meeting.

Flooding

To consider how flood risk in Hampshire is managed, how successful partnership working is in relation to flooding, and how prepared we are for the implications of new legislation.

Ian Hoult Head of Emergency Planning, plus relevant partner agencies

Following the light touch scrutiny of this subject by the Environment & Transport Select Committee, if the subject warrants further investigation, this committee could undertake an indepth review, involving relevant local authority partners.

Managing Hampshire County Council Scrutiny Activity

Topic

Issue

Lead Member / Officer

Status

23 Jul 09

15 Oct 09

21 Jan 2010

11 March 2010

Responding to emerging legislation which adds to local government scrutiny powers - potential joint scrutiny

Local Government and Public Involvement in Heath Act 2007

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill

A Hampshire Scrutiny Conference took place in April 2009 involving HCC scrutiny chairs and district/borough scrutiny representatives to consider the emerging scrutiny agenda. For some elements of the legislation regulations are awaited.

An update is due following the conference held in April.

A further update may be timely.

Responding to new powers - Councillor Call for Action

A Hampshire protocol is being drafted to provide guidance to councillors considering using this new power.

Draft protocol considered by committee.

Review of protocol

Proposals for in-depth scrutiny review from other committees

This committee has oversight of all Hampshire scrutiny activity, and any proposal for an in-depth scrutiny review put forward by one of the other local government scrutiny committees needs to be approved by this committee.

Environment & Transport Select Committee proposal regarding flooding light touch scrutiny review approved