Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Michael Davies, 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.

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 members of the public requested to speak at the meeting.

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 26th September 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate and Customer Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Efficiency Gains Sub-Group held on 26 September 2007 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the draft action plan for the Inquiry drawn up by the Lead Officer as requested at the last meeting.  

The action plan was agreed.

The Sub-Group considered the action plan drafted by officers detailing how each of the Inquiry objectives would be considered. 

The action plan was agreed.

The Sub-Group will consider the

·                    Value for Money Self Assessment report of Assistant Chief Executive (Business, Transformation and Improvement) presented to Executive Cabinet in October (Number 16 in the inquiry box file),

·                    A report outlining the background to the outsourcing of Property Services (No 17 in the inquiry box file), and

·                    The process for the preparation of Efficiency Statements (No 17 in the inquiry box file).

The evidence presented was considered and recommendations formulated.

Members considered the Value for Money Self Assessment report presented to Executive Cabinet in October 2007.  It was noted that the transfer of services into the Contact Centre was not yet complete with Neighbourhoods Directorate due to transfer in the first quarter of 2008. 

The Audit Commission would be holding a site visit to the Council on 23 November.  Officers would update the Sub-Group at the next meeting.

Officers explained that work had been undertaken to compare the statistics for 2005/06 with the Audit Commission nearest neighbours and the two District Councils who had achieved 4 in the Use of Resources assessment.  It was AGREED that the information was thought provoking and officers undertook to contact these authorities for further information. 

The comparative information for 2006/2007 would be available in the next few weeks and providing this is the case a report will be presented to the Sub-Group at future meeting. 

Members requested that a report be presented to the next meeting outlining the performance indicator information for each Directorate to enable any areas where performance has been affected by efficiency gains. 

The Sub-Group noted the procedure for the preparation of Efficiency Statements and considered the report relating to the outsourcing of Property Services presented to the Executive Cabinet. 

Officers explained that there would be a new performance reporting framework implemented in the next few months and undertook to produce a briefing note for a future meeting. 

The Assistant Chief Executive (Business, Transformation and Improvement) was identified as witnesses the Sub-Group wished to receive feedback from.  This will take place on 28 November at 6.30pm.  

The Sub-Group need to consider and formulate questions to be asked in advance to give the officers notice of the questions. 

The questions were drafted and would be emailed to the Members of the Sub-Group for any further comments.  

The Sub-Group considered questions to be asked during the feedback session with the Assistant Chief Executive (Business Transformation) at the next meeting. 

It was AGREED that the questions be emailed to the Members of the Sub-Group for any further comments by 16 November. 

Members discussed having a feedback session with all Directors, before Christmas if possible, and AGREED that an item be placed on the next agenda to consider questions. 

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

Noted.  

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

§               Wed 28 Nov at 6.30

§               Wed 12 Dec at 6.30

§               Wed 30 Jan at 6.30

§               Wed 27 Feb at 6.30

§               Wed 12 Dec at 6.30

§               Wed 30 Jan at 6.30

§               Wed 27 Feb at 6.30