Agenda Item No

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning): 27th April 2009

Report of the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services

Scrutiny Committee - Tracking of Recommendations

Purpose of the Report

1.    To advise Members of progress in relation to recommendations made by the Scrutiny Committee during the second quarter period July - September 2008 (attached at Appendix A), third quarter period October - December 2008 (attached at Appendix B) and fourth quarter period January - March 2009 (attached at Appendix C).  There are no outstanding recommendations for the first quarter April - June 2008.

2.    To consider actions against the uncompleted recommendations for the period April 2007 - March 2008 (attached at Appendix D). 

3.    Members' views are also requested relating to progress against each recommendation, where further action may be required to ensure the required action is undertaken and to confirm those actions which are completed.

Recommendation

The views of the Committee on the status of the actions listed in Appendices A - D are sought.

Reason for the Recommendation

To maintain effective tracking of the Committee's recommendations.

Background

4.    As part of the recent Scrutiny Review it has become clear that the scrutiny process needs to be more transparent, accountable and readily understood.  An integral part of effective scrutiny is a mechanism for Scrutiny Committees to monitor their recommendations to ensure that desired actions are carried out and, where necessary, progress is reported back.  This process also acknowledges recommendations contained in the WAO Democratic Renewal report and will also improve monitoring of Scrutiny Performance Indicators.  It is intended that such tracking reports are submitted to Scrutiny Committees on a quarterly basis.

Relevant Issues and Options

5.    The attached appendices set out the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee and Members are requested to review the progress against each recommendation, to assess where further action may be required to ensure the required action is undertaken and to confirm which recommendations are accepted as completed.

6.    It is important that decisions of Scrutiny Committees are tracked and monitored in this way as failure to do so could result in a risk that recommended courses of action will not be followed and consequently "lost".  This would undermine the credibility of the scrutiny process.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

7.    None.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

8.    None.

Crime and Disorder Implications

9.    None.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

10.  None.

Corporate/Service Objectives

11.  None.

Policy Framework and Budget

12.  This report is in accordance with the recommendations of the WAO Democratic Renewal Report and acknowledges the recommendations of the recent review of the Council's scrutiny function.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

13.  None.

Relevant Scrutiny Committees

14.  All.

Background Papers

Relevant Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet minutes.

Contact Officer

Chris Hope, Tel: (01446) 709855.

Officers Consulted

None.

Responsible Officer:

Peter H. Evans

Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services.