Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Borough Solicitor.

Note: Councillor D Topping left the meeting prior to this matter being considered.

The committee considered a report of the Borough Solicitor relating the  The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation document ‘Strengthening Local Communities’

            The Department of Communities and Local Government had embarked upon a consultation exercise in England only, which was focussed on promoting local democratic renewal by strengthening the capacity of local government. This particular consultation formed part of a much wider reform package and built upon themes originally presented in the Building Britain’s Future programme which set out the Government’s plans to reform democracy, overcome the recession and build the next generation of Public Services.

                     The consultation contained three main sections under the following headings:

·        Local Government at the Centre of Decision Making

·        Strong Local Government Operating in the Local Interest

·        Local Authorities Tackling Climate Change

                     Of particular interest to the Committee, were the proposals contained in Chapter 1 to increase the range and power of Overview and Scrutiny Committees by:

·         broadening the number of bodies which can be subject to scrutiny committees: not limited to those responsible for health, crime and disorder or council functions, nor just those responsible for priority targets set out in the LAA

·         enhancing the powers which these committees have. Officers and board members could be required to appear in front of the committee

·         enabling scrutiny committees to make reports and recommendations to a wider range of bodies for their consideration, and these bodies could be required to have regard to the recommendations and formally respond to Scrutiny Committees

Members were generally supportive of measures to extend the range of opportunities available to Scrutinise a wide range of organisations that provided services to the public, but wished to seek assurances from Government that Local Authorities would be given sufficient resources to be able to carry out this enhanced role effectively.

RESOLVED – That

(a)       The Resources Portfolio Holder be informed that this Committee welcomes proposals to increase the range and power of Overview and Scrutiny Commitees, but would urge the Government to ensure that sufficient ring fenced funding is provided to Local Authorities to ensure that the Overview and Scrutiny function is fully supported by dedicated staff and to provide additional training opportunities for members;

(b)       That Government also be requested to introduce a new set of Performance Indicators for new organisations which will be  subject to Local Authority Scrutiny.