Issue - meetings

To seek amendments to the Constitution to recognise the re-alignment of Overview and Scrutiny Committees with the new portfolios reported at Council on 13^th May 2010 and to agree to changes to the Constitution as it relates to the role of the Scrutiny Chairmen’s Group (SCG).

The Committee considered a report seeking amendments to the Constitution to:

(1)   reflect the realignment of the overview and scrutiny committees with the new portfolio responsibilities reported at Council on 13^th May 2010; and

(2)   make appropriate reference to the role of the Scrutiny Chairmen’s Group.

Councillor Howard Murray attended for this item and was welcomed to the meeting.

It had become apparent over the last twelve months that the existing remits of the overview and scrutiny committees needed refining as some Portfolio Holders were being asked to attend meetings of more than one committee. The recent changes to Cabinet portfolios announced by the Leader of the Council had provided an opportunity to review the committees’ remits. Revised remits were now proposed which would enable seven of the nine portfolios to be aligned to a single overview and scrutiny committee, the responsibilities of the two remaining portfolios, Health and Wellbeing and Performance and Capacity, each being aligned to two committees.

The role of the Scrutiny Chairmen’s Group was to oversee and co-ordinate the work of the Overview and Scrutiny function. The Group had a key role in deciding on which committee should take the lead on cross-cutting issues. The Group also acted as a sounding board on matters of common interest across all overview and scrutiny committees, including new legislation and best practice. It also monitored progress with work programmes and reviewed workloads. It was appropriate to acknowledge the Group’s role formally within the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED

That

(1)   the report be noted;

(2)   Council be advised to approve the new overview and scrutiny remits as set out in paragraph 9.2 of the report, subject to the Performance and Capacity portfolio being added to the list of portfolios for the Corporate Scrutiny Committee in relation to the corporate plan and risk management responsibilities of that portfolio, and to authorise the Borough Solicitor to make any necessary amendments to the Constitution; and

(3)   the role of the Scrutiny Chairmen’s Group in resolving cross-cutting issues and reviewing work programmes and workloads be recognised and Council be recommended to authorise the Borough Solicitor to make appropriate reference to the Group’s role in the Constitution.