Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Mick Davies, David Dickinson, Pat Haughton, Kevin Joyce, Thomas McGowan, Joyce Snape. And Councillor Alan Cullens (Executive Member for Resources). 

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

No members declared an interest in matters under consideration on the agenda.  

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask a question(s) on an item(s) on the agenda will be asked to put their question(s) to the Committee.  Each member of the public will be allowed to ask one supplementary question within his or her allocated 3 minutes.

No members of the public requested to ask questions on items on the agenda. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate and Customer Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 22 January 2008 (enclosed).  

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate and Customer Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 22 January 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed the Panel’s final reports on it’s inquiries into Absence Management and Efficiency Gains asked the Chair of each sub-group to introduce their respective reports.

Absence Management

Councillor Mike Devaney outlined the objectives and desired outcomes of the inquiry.  Members considered the report and it’s recommendations and noted that at the third quarter the average sickness absence of the authorities employees’ equated to 7.11 days, against an annual target of 9.22 days.  The members commended this as an excellent achievement. 

Councillor Devaney thanked the Members and officers for their contributions to the inquiry and commented on how positive the piece of work had been. 

Efficiency Gains

Councillor Stella Walsh explained that the sub-group had heard and evaluated a great deal of documentary evidence relating to the efficiency agenda.  The sub-group had undertaken interviews with the directors and the external auditor whose responses had been compiled into a schedule enclosed with the report. 

Members discussed the report and the recommendations made, noting specifically how the council has been recognised for its excellent work in its use of resources and value for moeny by the Audit Commission. 

RESOLVED – That the final reports of the Efficiency Gains sub-group and Absence Management sub-group be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 25 March. 

The Business Plan and Performance Monitoring reports are enclosed for the third quarter period for Information and Communication Technology Services. 

The reports for Customer, Democratic and Legal Services, Human Resources and Financial Services will follow. 

RESOLVED – That the third quarter Business Plan Monitoring Statements for Customer, Democratic and Legal Services, Human Resources, Financial Services and Information and Communication Technology Services be noted.

Members considered the Business Plan Monitoring Statements from Customer, Democratic and Legal Services, Human Resources, Financial Services and Information and Communication Technology. 

Members queried several points within the reports with the Directors who were in attendance at the meeting. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted. 

To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme (enclosed).

RESOLVED - To note the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme.  

Members considered the Overview and Scrutiny Work Program. 

RESOLVED – That the work program be noted.