Agenda and minutes

It was AGREED that Councillor Geoffrey Russell take the Chair for the meeting. 

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Stella Walsh (Chair), Henry Caunce, Michael Davies, Mike Devaney, Keith Iddon, Thomas McGowan and Mick Muncaster.  

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.

There were no declarations of interest by Members relating to the items on the agenda.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate and Customer Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Efficiency Gains Sub-Group held on 24th August 2007 (enclosed). 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate and Customer Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Efficiency Gains Sub-Group held on 24 August 2007 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 Panel. Each member of the public will be allowed to ask one supplementary question within his/her allocated 3 minutes.  

No member of the public requested to speak at the meeting.

The Sub-Group will consider the evidence collected so far as part of the Inquiry, in particular

·                    Use of Resources: Value for Money Self AssessmentOctober 2006 (Number 9 in the information box),

·                    Achieving Value for Money Report to Executive Cabinet 24 May 2007(Number 9 in the information box),

·                    Transforming Local Government in Lancashire (Number 12 in the information box),

·                    Corporate Procurement Strategy 2004 – 2009 (Number 13 in the information box),

·                    Staff Guide To Procurement (Number 14 in the information box),

·                    Property Services Draft Contract Management Pack (Number 15 in the information box),

The Sub-Group noted the additional documentation for the Inquiry box file. 

Members noted that the procurement strategy, initially intended to cover the 5 year period 2004-2009, was to be refreshed to take account of the changing demands both nationally and locally.

Members discussed the report entitled Achieving Value for Money considered by the Executive Cabinet in May 2007 and noted that an updated report, including the Use of Resources Value for Money 2007 self-assessment, would be presented to Executive Cabinet early on 4^th October.  It was AGREED that this report be forwarded to the Sub-Group. 

The Sub-Group considered the document “Transforming Local Government in Lancashire” and commended its aspirations. 

It was noted that Chorley had been invited to be one of 30 councils involved in a national case study for the Audit Commission, looking at back office efficiency gains achieved by local government. 

The Sub-Group will determine the next steps in the Inquiry. 

The Sub-Group AGREED that officers should draft an action plan for the Inquiry based on the scoping document. 

A report apportioning efficiencies against the directorates making the gains was requested for presentation to a future meeting to identify any areas of concern or praise. 

All Directors would be requested to give feedback to the Sub-Group.  Officers would set up the dates for the sessions. 

The Efficiency Statements for the other two District Councils who had achieved a score of 4 for Value for Money assessments in 2006 and the Councils within the Audit Commission’s “Family Group” will be accessed for comparison purposes and identification of apparent good practice. It was AGREED that outcomes from this assessment be presented to a future meeting. 

The Sub-Group are asked to consider the enclosed draft scoping document, project plan, information checklist and witness checklist. 

The Sub-Group considered the Inquiry documentation and AGREED the additions to the Information and Witness checklists. 

§                     Mon 22 Oct at 2.00

§                     Wed 28 Nov at 6.30

§                     Wed 12 Dec at 6.30

§                     Wed 30 Jan at 6.30

§                     Wed 27 Feb at 6.30