Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests was declared.

In accordance with the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, no declarations of Whipped Votes or Party Whips were declared.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.  

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committee held on 11 July, 2016, be approved as a correct record.

There were no public questions.

Councillor J A Raynor provided opening remarks and information and her Cabinet Portfolio prior to taking questions from the Committee.

She then took questions from Committee Members on following areas:

·       The costs to the Authority in respect of delays with the Parc Y Wernin Village Green application;

·       Rationale for the delay in identifying suitable alternative accommodation for Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) provision;

·       The costs associated with surplus places;

·       The programme for the future in respect of the Flying Start Programme;

·       Timelines and impact in respect of the delay with 2016-2017 Education Improvement Grant (EIG);

·       Issues with one primary school refusing to participate in scrutiny of lesson observations;

·       Devolving budgets to schools;

·       School attendance;

·       Play area at Parc Y Wernin;

·       Out of catchment placements;

·       Business continuity (bomb hoaxes in large comprehensive schools);

·       The prognosis for the two schools identified as being in the RED support category;

·       Challenge Advisors;

The Chair referred to the revised structure for Education and requested that names be placed alongside job titles.

RESOLVED that the Chair of Scrutiny Programme Committee write to the Cabinet Member, reflecting the discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.

The Scrutiny Co-ordinator presented a report which sought consideration of support and development needs for scrutiny councillors.

He referred to the feedback from the annual councillor survey on training and development needs; the agreed Council Training and Development Programme 2016/17 and possible assistance from the Welsh Local Government Association on councillor support and development services.

Members discussed the following issues:

·       The Chair of Democratic Services Committee may be a useful addition to the Committee;

·       The Head of Democratic Services has a total member training budget of £3,000;

·       E-Learning is crucial;

·       Training on questioning skills would be beneficial; and

·       Tailor training to enable people to become experts.  Many Councillors are experts in different areas.

RESOLVED that Members forward their views to the Scrutiny Co-ordinator.

The Chair presented a report which added to the previously agreed protocol for co-option by proposing a guide for co-opted members once they have joined panels and working groups.

RESOLVED that the Guide be AGREED.

The Chair referred to the Progress Report – Child and Family Services Scrutiny Performance Panel and advised that Councillor P R Hood-Williams was unable to make the meeting.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Chair presented a draft of the quarterly report from the Scrutiny Programme Committee to Council on the impact of scrutiny.

RESOLVED that the content of the draft ‘Scrutiny Dispatches’ be agreed and submitted to Council on 22 September, 2016.

The Chair presented the work programme and referred to potential new inquiries and the need to develop clear and focussed terms of reference to ensure completion of the evidence gathering before the end of 2016 to allow time for final reports to be drafted and agreed in early 2017.

The Chair stated that the next meeting of the regional scrutiny arrangement with the six councils participating in the ‘Education Through Regional Working (ERW) school improvement consortium would be taking place in September in Pembrokeshire Council.

It was noted that a public request for scrutiny into Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) had been received and consideration would be given to whether this would take the form of an inquiry panel.

RESOLVED that the scrutiny work programme as outlined in the report be noted.

The Chair presented a report outlining proposed revisions to the Scrutiny Panel/Working Group membership.

The revised revisions to the current scrutiny panel’s/working group membership were outlined in respect of:

·       Tackling Poverty Scrutiny Inquiry Panel – Councillor H M Morris to be added;

·       Partnership and Collaboration Inquiry – Councillor J B Burtonshaw and H M Morris have expressed an interest in  acting as convenor;

·       Preparedness for School Inquiry – Councillor A M Day and H M Morris have expressed an interest in  acting as convenor;

·       Planning & Section 106 Agreements Working Group – Councillor C A Holley has expressed an interest in acting as convenor.

RESOLVED that the above appointments be ENDORSED.

The Chair reported the Scrutiny Letters Log and referred to the recent correspondence between Scrutiny and Cabinet Members.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Letters Log be NOTED.

There had been no recent Scrutiny events.

The Chair referred to the Tackling Poverty session on 15 September, 2016 at 4.00 p.m. and urged colleagues to attend.

RESOLVED that the Audit Committee Work Plan be NOTED.

The dates and times of future Committee meetings for the 2016-2017 Municipal Year were NOTED.

The date and time of upcoming Panel/Work Group meetings were provided for information.