Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Peter Baker. Ken Ball, Alan Cain, Michael Davies and Anthony Gee.

Members of the Committee are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct.  If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, then the individual Member should not participate in a discussion on the matter and must withdraw from the room and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

No Members declared any interests in relation to matters under consideration at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 20 July 2006 (enclosed)

RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 20 July 2006 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the method of progressing the inquiry into Neighbourhood Working.

The Director of Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment will report on an initiative to commission advice and support for the scrutiny inquiry (paper enclosed)

For Members information the inquiry scoping document is also enclosed, which was approved at the last meeting. 

As agreed at the last meeting the newly appointed Director of Policy and Performance  is invited to the meeting.

The Panel discussed the Neighbourhood Working Inquiry and considered a schedule of services to appoint a consultant produced by the Director of Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment and the Inquiry scoping document. 

In particular the Panel discussed the objectives for the Inquiry set out in paragraph 6 of the schedule.  Members queried several points and noted that Neighbourhood working was an extremely large topic and that there was a lot of research information available. 

The Director of Policy and Performance explained that she had attended a conference earlier that day where Phil Wollas, Minister for Local Government, had been expected to give an update on the White Paper due out in the next few months.  In fact, a civil servant gave an update, as Phil Wollaswas not able to attend.  It would appear that devolved budgets may feature in the white paper and that there might be incentives for Local Authorities on this. 

It was AGREED that the objectives for the Scrutiny Inquiry on Neighbourhood Working be as follows:

1. Improving service delivery of the Council and its partners,

2. Localising consultation and improving satisfaction in neighbourhoods deleting “and delivering devolved budgets and commissioning of services”,

3. Acting jointly, with partners, to reduce pockets of deprivation and social exclusion

4. Promoting community development and cohesion

5. Maximising community involvement in neighbourhood management from active citizens, adding including young people, voluntary and private organizations and deleting 6. Promoting involvement in local governance arrangements especially by young people. 

A copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for the ensuing Municipal Year with items relating to this Panel is enclosed

The Panel received the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for the 2006/07 Municipal Year and discussed the items relating to the Environment and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED – That the Work Programme be noted.