Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2017.

RESOLVED - That subject to the inclusion of the name of Councillor Harold Davenport under the heading apologies for Absence, the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Peter Groves Democratic and Public Engagement, Assurance and ICT Portfolio Holder

Kath O’Dwyer – Acting Chief Executive

Michael Moore –Acting Head of Communications

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of the existence of a party whip.

There were no members of the public present who wished to speak.

To consider a report of the Acting Chief Executive.

The Committee considered a report of the Acting Chief Executive relating to a peer review of the Communications undertaken by the Local Government association (LGA)  in September 2016. The LGA review team had been Commissioned by the Chief Executive to ‘look at the structure and ways of working of the communications team (and other communications resources across the council) to see if these were ‘fit for purpose’ and that appropriate strategies were in place and aligned to council priorities; that members felt well supported and informed; that internal communications were effective; and the reputation of the council was well managed.’

A project team had been formed to ensure that the Council’s internal and external communications functions were fully aligned with the Council’s strategy and priorities.

A high level project plan was attached to the report. The committee was informed that since the plan had been produced, thirteen of the actions had been completed, eight were ongoing and three were pending.

RESOLVED –

(a)          That the report be received;

(b)          That the progress made against the recommendations in the peer review report be noted, in particular, the high level project plan

(c)          That Head of Communications be requested to provide periodic update reports to this Committee on the development of the Connected Communications – Corporate  Communications Strategy 2017/18;

(d)          That the Head of Communications be requested to submit a draft copy of the proposed residents newsletter to this committee prior to publication.

To consider a report of the Joint Working Group.

The Committee considered a report the Best4Business joint working group relating to its consideration of the Review of the Oracle Replacement Programme – Best4Business. The joint working group had met on the 27 June 2017 at Cheshire West and Chester offices at Wyvern House Winsford.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be received and the recommendations be endorsed by this Committee;

(b)  That Councillor Sam Corcoran be appointed as the labour representative on this group to replace Councillor Mo Grant.

To review the allocation of duties relating to Communities as contained within the Finance and Communities Portfolio  to the most relevant Overview and Scrutiny.(report to follow)

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Governance and Democratic Services to determine which Overview and Scrutiny Committee should be responsible for scrutinising community safety and communities matters in future following changes to portfolio holder responsibilities announced recently by the Leader of the Council r.

RESOLVED – That That the allocation of responsibilities from the Finance and Communities Portfolio be approved and adopted with immediate effect, as set out in below:

Functions which relate to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

·         The financing of the Council and its Budget, and Corporate Business Planning

·         Capital Programme and Strategy

·         Reserves, Income and Funding Strategy

·         Treasury and Business Management

·         Procurement, Corporate Contracts and Contract Monitoring

·         Insurance

·         External Audit

·         Pensions

·         Revenues and Exchequer Functions, including Benefits

·         Governance and Performance of ASDVs

·         Finance-based communities issues

·         Fly-tipping

·         Fixed-Penalty Notices

·         Community Safety, including:

o   Police

o   Anti-Social Behaviour

o   CCTV

o   Drugs

Functions which relate to the Health and Adult Social Care and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

·         Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector, including Citizens’ Advice Bureaux

·         Gypsies and Travellers

·         Community Strategy

·         Crewe Market Scheme

To review the work programme.

The Committee reviewed its work programme.

RESOLVED – That the the work programme be received and noted.

To note the current forward plan, identify any new items, and to determine whether any further examination of new issues is appropriate.

RESOLVED – That the forward plan be received and noted.