Issue - meetings

To note the current Work Programme progress report.

The committee reviewed the work programme 2009/2010 which had been approved by the Committee on 12 June 2009.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer informed Members that ameeting to scope the review of the role, performance and funding of voluntary organisations would be held within the next two weeks.

The Vice Chairman informed members that the Resources Portfolio Holder had set up a member/officer panel to progress Members It provision, and that consequently, the Task and Finish group set up by this committee at its previous meeting would now cease work in this area to avoid duplication. The terms of reference of the panel working under the Portfolio holder had not yet been finalised, and therefore the Scrutiny Task and Finish group would be retained and held in abeyance awaiting confirmation of the remit of the new panel.

The Leader of the Council had requested the committee to examine the start times of meetings in the calendar of meetings. The Chairman informed the committee that it would be difficult to make significant changes to the 2009/2010 calendar, that the efforts of the committee should concentrate on the 2010/2011 calendar and that matter be given a medium priority in the work programme.

RESOLVED – That

(a)   The Work programme be noted;

(b)   It be noted that a Members Officer IT panel has been set up under the auspices of the Resources Portfolio Holder, and that consequently, the Member IT Task and Finish Group approved by this Committee be held in abeyance until such time as the Terms of Reference of the Portfolio Holder group are known  

(c)   An item be added into the work programme relating to the start times of meetings, and the Democratic Services Manager be requested to submit a report to the next meeting outlining the implications of the various options available to the Council;