Agenda and minutes
modern.gov app available
View upcoming public committee documents on your iPad,
Android Device or
Blackberry Playbook with the free modern.gov app.
PDF 272 KBVenue: Committee Room 1, Town Hall
Contact: Gordon Bankes
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Apologies for absence Minutes: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Daniel Gee, Shaun Smith and Edward Smith. |
|
|
Declarations of Any Interests 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. Minutes: 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 30 November 2006 (enclosed) Minutes: RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 30 November 2006 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. |
|
|
Budget Scrutiny for 2007/2008
Report of the Director of Finance to follow Minutes: The Director of Finance submitted a report on the way forward for the budget scrutiny for 2007/08 that had been suggested by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in December 2006.
The report set out the background to the recommendations made by the Panels during the 2006/07 budget consultation, resulting in some value being received from the process. This year was a significant year in terms of the Council introducing the new Community Strategy and any work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee must be undertaken in this context.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 4 December 2006 (Minute 06.0S.71 refers) agreed to focus its attention for the 2007/08 budget on the following:
? To receive an update on the high cost areas identified during the 2006/2007 scrutiny relating to Planning Services and Environmental Services.
? To review the 2006 cost profiles prepared by the Audit Commission as compared to those in 2005 for the Planning Services and Environmental Services.
? To review the likely impact of the efficiencies and savings on the Council’s ability to deliver the promises in the Corporate Plan and the mitigation being put in place.
? A review of the low cost areas where a small increase in cost may bring a relatively bigger improvement.
The report indicated that the Council had recently been the subject to its annual Value for Money assessment undertaken by the Audit Commission as part of its Use of Resources review.
The Audit Commission had undertaken some benchmarking of costs compared with the Council’s family group which exhibited the same attributes as ourselves in terms of demograph, population etc.
The Panel received in the report comparative costs with the previous years data to provide analysis for the scrutiny review.
The report also provided a summary of the impact of the budget savings/efficiency proposals for 2007/08 relating to Planning Services and Environmental Services.
The report indicated that the cost profiles for 2006 had shown a very positive picture when compared with the 2005 figures with the Council’s relative cost ranking improving in almost all areas. In those areas showing no improvement the budget proposals included action to reduce their costs. Balanced against the efficiencies and budget savings was the need to deliver the Council’s Corporate Plan.
It was AGREED that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be recommended to submit the following comments to the Executive Cabinet as part of this year’s budget consultation exercise.
1. That the Executive Cabinet be requested to examine the calculation of secondary charge (recharges) as in the case of Planning Services they have resulted in a distorted view of the Directorate’s budget.
2. That the Executive Cabinet be asked if it is content with a decrease in design quality leading to a reduction in customer satisfaction as a result of the proposal to delete the post of Urban Designer in the Development and Regeneration Directorate.
3. That the Executive Cabinet be asked if the reduction in the cost of the Neighbourhood Wardens Team of £228,000 will have ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
|
|
Neighbourhood Working - Inquiry The Director of Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment will report on the current position regarding the progress of the Inquiry. A copy of the amended inquiry-scoping document is enclosed for consideration.
As a reminder for Members, the dates set aside to interview various witnesses are as follows:
All meetings will commence at 6.30pm and be held in the Town Hall.
The Panel will be requested to determine the arrangements / witnesses to be interviewed at each of the above meetings. Minutes: The Panel received from the Director of Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment a report showing the current position with regard to the Panel’s inquiry into neighbourhood working.
The Panel received the revised inquiry scoping document as well as the dates that had been set aside to interview various witnesses.
A drop in day will take place on 26 March 2007, in Chorley with staff available to meet representatives from Parish Councils, Members of the public, with elected Members welcome to attend.
RESOLVED – That the revised inquiry scoping document be approved. |
|
|
Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2006/2007 A copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for this Municipal Year with items relating to this Panel is enclosed Minutes: The Panel received the current Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2006/07 Municipal Year and discussed the item relating to the Environment and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel.
RESOLVED – That the report be noted. |