Agenda item

The Chair referred to the Scrutiny Questionnaire, copies of which were circulated to those Members who had not previously completed the questionnaire.  The Chair urged Councillors to complete the questionnaire as only 27 had been received to date.

The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator stated that the purpose of the report was to assist Councillors take stock of the work done during the municipal year and reflect on the experience.  The Committee were also urged to consider topics that may be examined by the Scrutiny Programme Committee in the forthcoming municipal year.

Members’ discussed the summary of work completed and raised the following issues:

a.     The impact of school transport on faith schools;

b.     Blue Badges

c.     Work Planning Conference (the tentative date is 8 June, 2015 and need to take into consideration the impact of the Corporate Improvement Plan);

d.     Scrutiny deemed to be ‘bitty’ and not covering issues comprehensively this is particularly the case when scrutinising Cabinet Members;

e.     Pre-decision scrutiny on Underhill Park was a success;

f.      Perception that Officers do not take scrutiny seriously;

g.     Obtaining answers in relation to commercial sensitivity (e.g., plans for the City Centre);

h.     Procedure for sensitive information being shared with lay Members.

RESOLVED that the report be NOTED.