The Performance and Capacity Project Plan was circulated to Members of the Panel, in order to provide some background to the discussion relating to the establishment of a Work Programme. It was noted that the document explained the various Workstreams under the Performance and Capacity Block. Project Initiation Documents had been produced for each of the Workstreams and could also be provided to Members, on request. In addition, a high level plan for each of the Workstreams had been produced. It was suggested that the Panel might wish to consider which Workstreams it would like to examine in more detail.
In considering the Work Programme, Members of the Panel raised the following issues:
Councillor Brown explained the background to the Neighbourhood Area Working Panel, which had been set up. He had requested that officers in the Performance and Capacity Block examine the Sustainable Community Strategies, Corporate Plans and Local Development Framework for all four Authorities and to identify what was common to all of them and also to identify any unique issues. At the next meeting of the Neighbourhood Area Working Panel, consideration would be given to these documents, in order to ascertain where there was an overlap. There would also be an opportunity to engage with other Members of the Council.
Reference was made to the existing Neighbourhood Forums and it was considered that these should be maintained for the duration of the Shadow Authority, as it was considered best practice to have smaller groups within smaller communities. Consideration should be given as to what structures should be in place before April 2009 and where good work was already taking place this should be promoted. It was also felt that there was a need to maintain officer commitment and that Councillors should work alongside officers.
It was commented that, within the People and Places bid, the proposals for Area Forums mirrored what the County Council was proposing, at the same time. It was considered that existing Neighbourhood Forums were currently carrying out some good work. It was also felt that consideration should be given as to how services could be delivered, involving Town and Parish Councils. It was suggested that an exercise should be carried out to establish which Town and Parish Councils wished to be involved and also relating to budget issues and that the Panel should be advising in respect of this.
In order to establish the Work Programme for the Panel it was suggested that a number of Member Sub Groups be formed.
RESOLVED
1. that the following Task Groups be formed, with the following membership:
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Customer Access |
Councillors Terry Beard Diana Thompson Martin Hardy John Narraway Don Stockton
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Finance |
Councillors Terry Beard Martin Hardy Paul Findlow Peter Mason
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Corporate Development |
Councillors Diana Thompson John Hammond Terry Beard David Brown
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Parish and Town Councils |
Councillors John Hammond Diana Thompson Paul Findlow Gary Barton Elise Alcock John Narraway Frank Keegan Les Gilbert Don Stockton
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ICT |
Councillors Gary Barton Don Stockton Terry Beard Martin Hardy John Narraway |
2. the relevant Portfolio Holders should attend meetings of the Task Groups.
3. the Task Groups meet on an informal basis supported by the Workstream Leads and will not be formally minuted.
4. the Task Groups meet as soon as possible to agree priorities and Members not appointed to the Sub Group could be involved in the work of the Groups, if required.
(It was also suggested that it might be useful for Members to attend appropriate officer meetings, as observers, to keep them informed of progress.)