To consider the Committee’s future work programme.
Minutes:
The Chairman presented the Work Programme and outlined the dates for the forthcoming meetings, comments included:
· The next meeting was scheduled for Monday 23 November and was the first after the normal schedule was resumed.
· It was advised that a resumption of the portfolio holder reports was requested and the proposed schedule was outlined:
o Finance and Governance in November to coincide with the presentation of the Draft Budget;
o Sustainability in January; and
o Communities and Wellbeing in March to coincide with the review of the Community Safety Partnership Plan.
· It had been agreed before the lockdown that the previous scope of the portfolio holder reports was too broad to be considered in detail at a regular meeting so the portfolio holder report would be distributed by the Clerk three weeks before the relevant meeting and the Chairman would ask Members for feedback on any specific areas they would like examined. The portfolio holder would be asked to focus on the particular issues identified at the meeting.
· If any issues are identified or any queries are unsatisfied the Committee may ask for a more detailed look at specific topics.
· The Committee could voice their opinion on both where they wanted to focus their attention but also where not to focus.
· Whilst not listed on the work programme the Five Year Plan was scheduled to come to the Committee at the November meeting.
· Consultation and Engagement Task and Finish Group:
o The Chief Executive had not identified any particular issues that may impede the Committee resuming work. It was proposed that the Group got together with officers outside this meeting to review its terms of reference and aim to bring proposals back for the November meeting.
o If it were found that new solutions for communication and engagement were needed the Group should focus more on what was to be achieved rather how it was to be achieved.
o Membership of the Group was previously Councillors Hayward, Pound, Bruneau and Reilly. Councillor Pound had stepped back to lead on the Deprivation Task and Finish Group. Councillors Bruneau and Reilly were no longer on the Committee but could be re-invited on the Group.
o Resources may be limited in supporting two Task and Finish Groups and it may be prudent to delay.
· This could be considered alongside the terms of reference for the Deprivation Task and Finish Group being worked up by Councillor Pound and others including Councillors Thomson, Atwood, Woodward.
· There was sufficient resources for senior Officers to give expert advice to both working groups.
· The Committee would have the opportunity to scrutinise the draft invitation to tender in respect of the Parks and Gardens Maintenance Contract and subsequently the choice of contractor.
· The Committee would also consider the Equality Action Plan in due course.
Actions:
1. Councillor Hayward to review the membership and terms of reference for the Consultation and Engagement Task and Finish Group to put together proposals for consideration at the November meeting;
2. Councillor Pound, in consultation with the members of the Deprivation Task and Finish Working Group and officers, to finalise terms of reference for consideration at the November meeting;
3. Councillor Morton to consult colleagues on potential membership of the Task and Finish Groups; and
4. Members to give ideas for future meetings.
Supporting documents: