REPORT OF:
DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND ENVIRONMENT
AUTHOR:
CHRIS PHELAN
TELEPHONE:
01737 276114
E-MAIL:
[email protected]
TO:
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
DATE:
2 MARCH 2005
AGENDA ITEM NO:
10
WARD(S) AFFECTED:
ALL
SUBJECT:
REVIEW PANELS: PROGRESS REPORT
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT:
TO RECEIVE THE LATEST POSITION ON THE
REVIEW
PANELS
ESTABLISHED
BY
THE
COMMITTEE.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1.
To note the current position on the progress of the Review Panels
established by the Committee.
Background
1.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme was agreed by Council
on 29 July and subsequently the arrangements for Scrutiny Panels was agreed
between the Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee. This report updates the Committee on the progress of those Review
Panels that it has established.
Progress on the work of the Panels
2.
The Committee started the year with nine Review Panels and four have now
completed their work. The five remaining Panels are at different stages of their
work. Each of the Panels have a separate page on the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee webpage which includes the agenda, minutes, reports, scoping report
and a feedback form for the community to provide their comments on. The current
Panels are listed below together with an indication of their remit, membership and
current position:
Budget and Service Planning Review Panel
3.
Current position: This Panel has completed its work for the current year and has
therefore been disbanded.
Housing Review Panel
4.
Current position: This Panel has completed its work for the current year and has
been disbanded.
Personnel Review Panel
5.
Current position: This Panel has completed its work for the current year and has
been disbanded.
Licensing Act Review Panel
6.
Current position: This Panel has completed its work for the current year and has
been disbanded.
Community Transport Review Panel
7.
Remit: This Panel was originally established to consider the Executive’s Draft
Community Transport Policy, which was expected to be published as part of the
Policy Framework. Subsequently the County Council has undertaken a review of
community transport for the whole county. At present the consideration of the Dial a
Ride review in the Borough will be the main activity for the Panel.
8.
Membership: Councillor R.M. Bennett (Chairman), Councillors S.A. Kulka, Mrs
F.D.M. Dixon, S.A. Gates and K. Hagerty.
9.
Current position: The Panel met on 30 November and the report of that meeting
was considered by the Committee on 16 December 2004. The comments of the
Panel had been made direct to the Executive for their meeting on 8 December. In
the event the Executive, partly as a result of the Panel’s comments, decided to
defer the consideration of the Dial a Ride review to allow other options to be
explored. The Committee requested that, should the Executive put forward
proposals that vary from those recommended by the Panel then it should meet
again to comment appropriately to the Executive via the Committee if time
permitted.
10.
The Executive Member for Community Safety and Transport recognised the work
that the Panel did at its last meeting and as a result requested that the additional
options identified be examined further and that the Panel be requested to consider
these further.
11.
A meeting of the Panel was therefore scheduled to meet again on 16 February
2005 to consider the current position and offer comments to the Executive. A
separate report on the outcome of that meeting and its recommendations is
elsewhere on this agenda.
Leisure and Cultural Strategy Review Panel
12.
Remit: To consider the Executive’s proposals on the Leisure and Cultural Strategy.
The Panel’s remit also included the review of the Parks and Open Spaces Policy
Statement (which the Panel has considered).
13.
Membership: Councillor J.A. Meech (Chairman), Councillors R. Miah, G.L. Norman
and E. Russell.
14.
Current position: The Panel’s report on the Parks and Open Spaces Policy
Statement was submitted to the Executive at its meeting on 1 April 2004.
15.
The Executive is no longer proceeding with the publication of a Leisure and Cultural
Strategy at present, but is undertaking a review of Leisure provision, which it is
anticipated, will be referred to the Committee for consideration.
Hackney Carriage Restricted Numbers Policy Review Panel
16.
Remit: The Committee re-established the Panel in November 2003 so that it could
(a)
undertake a review of hackney carriage conditions, including consultation
with the trade, to consider the conditions to be imposed in respect of any additional
vehicle licences issued, i.e. vehicle 76 or higher; and
(b)
undertake a review of hackney carriage rank provision;
(c)
review of all conditions that are attached to Hackney Carriages licensed by
the Council (added by the Committee on 18 February)
17.
Membership: Councillors J.H. Prevett (Chairman) T.A. Breen, R.M Bennett, Mrs.
N.J. Bramhall and G.L. Norman.
18.
Current position: The Panel last met on 9 and 10 February 2005 to conclude its
findings, conclusions and recommendations. A copy of the notes of those meetings
are set out at Annex 1 attached. A separate report on the work of this Panel has
been included on the agenda for this meeting which includes the full report,
conclusions and recommendations of the Panel. Unless the Committee require the
Panel to undertake further work it will have completed its activities with the report
set out elsewhere on the agenda.
Community Safety Strategy Review Panel
19.
Remit: The Panel’s work falls into two areas of activity. To consider and comment
on the existing Community Safety Strategy and to consider the published strategy
once approved by the Executive for consultation purposes.
20.
Membership: Councillors B.A. Stead (Chairman), Councillors M.A. Brunt, S.P.
Colvin, F.D.M. Dixon and J.M. Ellacott.
21.
Current position: The Panel met on 13 and 21 December 2004 to consider the
existing Community Safety Strategy. Copies of the reports of those meetings were
considered at the last meeting and were considered by the Executive on 20 January
2005. The Panel met on 31 January to consider the Draft Community Safety
Strategy published by the Executive for consultation and a copy of the report from
that meeting is attached at Annex 2. The Panel is scheduled to next meet on 22
February 2005 and the report from that meeting will be circulated separately to the
Committee.
Partnership Strategy Review Panel
22.
Remit: The Panel’s work is to consider and comment on the published Partnership
strategy once approved by the Executive for consultation purposes.
Membership: Councillors T.D. Stoddart (Chairman); Councillors E. Russell, Dr. B.
Mearns, A.R. Mountney and M.G. Ormerod.
23.
Current position: The Panel is awaiting the publication of the draft Strategy before
it starts its work.
Resource Implications
24.
There could be financial implications for the Panels should they agree to hold
meetings at community venues. The costs relate to the letting of facilities and
providing PA equipment etc and it may be necessary for the Committee to request
provision for this within the budget for 2004/05.
Conclusions
25.
The work of Review Panels is progressing well. Further progress reports will be
presented to the Committee on a regular basis.
Background Papers:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme
Review Panel agenda/minutes