Meeting documents

Councillors:

Alan Armitage

Liz Brighouse

Alan Bryden

Nick Carter

Timothy Hallchurch MBE

Bob Johnston

Rodney Rose

David Wilmshurst

What does this Committee review or scrutinise?

·                     Corporate and community leadership; corporate strategies; regional issues

·                     Local strategic partnerships and District Council liaison

·                     Social inclusion & equality; services for members

·                     Finance; procurement; property

·                     Culture change and customer focus; human resources; communications strategy; information and communications technology

·                     Conduct of best value reviews as specified in Paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the Functions Regulations

·                     The elections and appointments functions of the Democracy & Organisation Committee

·                     The functions of the Pension Fund Committee

How can I have my say?

We welcome the views of the community on any issues in relation to the responsibilities of this Committee.  Members of the public may ask to speak for up to 5 minutes on any item on the agenda or may suggest matters which they would like the Committee to look at.  Requests to speak must be submitted to the Committee Services no later than 9 am on the working day before the date of the meeting.

For more information about this Committee please contact:

Chairman                                         -      Councillor Lawrie Stratford

                                                            E.Mail: lawrie.stratford@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Committee Officer                             -      Geoff Malcolm, Tel: (01865) 815904

                                                            E.Mail: geoff.malcolm@oxfordshire.gov.uk

• schools

• social & health care

·        libraries and museums

• the fire service

• roads

·        trading standards

• land use

• transport planning

·        waste management

Background Information:

A composite list of suggestions for the Scrutiny Work Programme 2007-08 (CG5) (download as .doc file) identifies the topics which have emerged for the Work Programme using a range of sources of information

Why has it been included?

The Committee is asked to:

(a)   consider whether it wishes to replace any items in the proposed Work Programme (A) with items in the supplementary list (B);

(b)   decide which reviews from the proposed Work Programme (A) should commence first and second. 

The Committee is also asked to make other suggestions for inclusion in the Work Programme.

How is the Committee going to deal with it?

As a whole Committee activity during a one meeting session

When are they going to do it?

During this meeting

Who is going to take part in this piece of work?

All members of the Committee

Paul Edwards, Corporate Performance Manager has been invited to attend for this item

Work to be done prior to the meeting:

None

Background Information:

The Committee has included in its annual Work Programme 2006-07 as a high priority topic: “Government White Paper ‘Strong & Prosperous Communities’ and Bill, focusing on Governance - to consider and inform the Committee about the implications for scrutiny/the Council” 

On 31 May 2007 the Committee asked the committee officer to ascertain the current position/progress with the White Paper & Bill

The Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords on 20 June 2007 and (at the time of writing) is at committee stage in the House of Lords. 

As far as is known, the Bill is on target for Royal Assent in the Autumn

Why has it been included?

To enable the Committee to consider whether and, if so, how it wishes to proceed with this topic

How is the Committee going to deal with it?

As a whole Committee activity during a one meeting session

When are they going to do it?

During this meeting

Who is going to take part in this piece of work?

All members of the Committee

Work to be done prior to the meeting:

Members are asked to read the briefing paper by the Local Government Association (CG6) (download as .pdf file) which is circulated as background information

Background Information:

On 19 September the Cabinet Member for Change Management invited the Scrutiny Committee to oversee a Fundamental Review of ICT 

On 05 October 2006 the Committee appointed Councillors Hallchurch and Stratford to provide challenge to the Review 

Why has it been included?

On 31 May 2007 Hedra, the consultants who carried out the fundamental service review, gave a presentation to members on their findings and recommendations.  The Committee subsequently agreed to include the executive summary of the Hedra report (CG7(a)) (download as .doc file) on its agenda for this meeting

The Change Board has considered the draft ICT Services – 2007/09 Action Plan to implement Fundamental Review Board Requirements (CG7(b) (download as .doc file)

How is the Committee going to deal with it?

As a whole Committee activity during a one meeting session

When are they going to do it?

During this meeting

Who is going to take part in this piece of work?

All members of the Committee

Councillor John Howell, Cabinet Member for Change Management

Graham Shaw, Deputy Head of ICT

Work to be done prior to the meeting:

None

Why has it been included?

The Committee has included in its Work Programme provision for the Head of Human Resources & Organisational Development to provide establishment monitoring information, highlighting key trends, to the Committee

On 20 June 2007 the Cabinet considered an update on activity since implementation of the Establishment Review & associated Recruitment Approval process and confirmed that the Establishment Review continued to meet requirements in reporting and managing staffing numbers

How is the Committee going to deal with it?

As a whole Committee activity during a one meeting session

When are they going to do it?

During this meeting

Who is going to take part in this piece of work?

All members of the Committee

Councillor John Howell, Cabinet Member for Change Management

Steve Munn, Head of Human Resources & Organisational Development

Work to be done prior to the meeting:

None

Documents Members should bring to the meeting:

Report (CA8) considered by the Cabinet on 20 June 2007

Why has it been included?

The Committee has included in its Work Programme consideration of the annual Provisional Revenue & Capital Out-turn report to the Cabinet following the end of the financial year (31 March)

On 20 June 2007 the Cabinet considered and agreed the Provisional 2006/07 Revenue and Capital Outturn report

How is the Committee going to deal with it?

As a whole Committee activity during a one meeting session

When are they going to do it?

During this meeting

Who is going to take part in this piece of work?

All Members of the Committee

Councillor C.H. Shouler, Cabinet Member for Finance

Ken Bell, Assistant Head of Finance (Finance Accounting)

Work to be done prior to the meeting:

Members are asked to read the commentary on the outturn report 2006/07 by the Cabinet Member for Finance (CG9 – circulated separately)

Documents Members should bring to the meeting:

The Provisional Revenue & Capital Outturn report which was considered by the Cabinet on 20 June 2007 (CA5)

Background Information:

In July 2006 the Committee considered an evaluation of the implementation of the Cabinet’s response over twelve months and whether any further action was necessary

The key points arising during the Committee’s debate are attached (CG10) 

Why has it been included?

The Committee requested a further evaluation in May/June 2007 in order to establish the degree of progress in implementing recommendations agreed by Cabinet

How is the Committee going to deal with it?

As a whole Committee activity during a one meeting session

When are they going to do it?

During this meeting

Who is going to take part in this piece of work?

All members of the Committee

Councillor John Howell, Cabinet Member for Change Management

Work to be done prior to the meeting:

None

Background Information:

On 5 October 2006 the Cabinet considered the Customer Focus Scrutiny Review and asked the Cabinet Member for Change Management to communicate to the Committee the Charter Mark Board’s response to the Review’s recommendations in six months, and then report thereafter in an annual cycle

Why has it been included?

To receive the Charter Mark Programme Board’s initial response (CG11) to the Scrutiny Review recommendations

How is the Committee going to deal with it?

As a whole Committee activity during a one meeting session

When are they going to do it?

During this meeting

Who is going to take part in this piece of work?

All members of the Committee

Richard Dudding, Chairman, Charter Mark Board

Work to be done prior to the meeting:

None

Background Information:

Oxfordshire's Local Area Agreement (LAA) was signed in March 2006 for delivery from April 2006 to March 2009.  On 20 June 2007 the Cabinet considered and endorsed the annual self assessment report for Year 1 2006/07 and noted progress against outcomes in the first year of delivery 

Why has it been included?

On 31 May 2007 the Committee identified this topic for consideration at this meeting

How is the Committee going to deal with it?

As a whole Committee activity during a one meeting session

When are they going to do it?

During this meeting

Who is going to take part in this piece of work?

All members of the Committee

Councillor Keith R. Mitchell, Leader of the Council

Paul James, Head of Partnership Working

Work to be done prior to the meeting:

None

Documents Members should bring to the meeting:

‘Working Together for a Better Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire’s Local Area Agreement 2006/09’ - Annual self assessment report Year 1 2006/07 (CA9 Annexes 1&2) which were considered by the Cabinet on 20 June 2007
(CG12 - Annex 1 - download as .doc file)
(CG12 - Annex 2 - download as .doc file)

Background Information:

On 20 June 2007 the Cabinet considered and agreed three detailed project appraisals in the Better Offices Programme for the Northern Area, East Oxford and Southern Area

Why has it been included?

On 31 May 2007 the Committee identified these topics for consideration at this meeting

How is the Committee going to deal with it?

As a whole Committee activity during a one meeting session

When are they going to do it?

During this meeting

Who is going to take part in this piece of work?

All members of the Committee

Councillor C. H. Shouler, Cabinet Member for Finance

Mark Tailby, Team Leader, Property Services

Work to be done prior to the meeting:

None

Documents Members should bring to the meeting:

The reports which were considered by the Cabinet on 20 June 2007 : Better Offices Programme - Northern Area (CA14), East Oxford (CA15) & Southern Area (CA16E)

EXEMPT ITEMS:

if the Committee wishes to discuss Annexes CA14(E) & CA15(E) and item CA16E it is RECOMMENDED that the public be excluded for the duration of those items since it is likely that if they were present during those items there would be disclosure of exempt information in the following category as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended):

• information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information on the grounds set out.

THE EXEMPT ANNEXES CA14(E) AND CA15(E) AND ITEM CA16(E) HAVE NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE REGARDED AS STRICTLY PRIVATE TO MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THEM.

If you have any special requirements (such as a large print version of these papers or special access facilities) please contact the officer named on the front page, but please give as much notice as possible before the meeting