Agenda Item No

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Scrutiny Committee (Social Care and Health): 22nd June 2009

Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment): 24th June 2009

Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection): 25th June 2009

Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning): 29th June 2009

Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources): 1st July 2009

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

Scrutiny Committees' - Draft Annual Report May 2008 - April 2009

Purpose of the Report

1.             To consider the draft 2008 / 2009 Annual Report for the Scrutiny Committees for the Municipal Year as attached at Appendix A.

Recommendation

That the Scrutiny Committee approves the contents of the draft Annual Report for the period May 2008 - April 2009, subject to any further minor amendments being agreed in consultation with the Chairman and it be presented to Full Council.

Reason for the Recommendation

To approve the draft Scrutiny Committees' Annual Report to allow it to be submitted to Full Council.

Background

2.             This report has been produced in accordance with Section 6.03(d) of Article 6 of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Constitution which states that “Scrutiny Committees must report annually to Full Council on their workings and make recommendations for future work programmes and amended working methods if appropriate”.

3.             The Constitution of the Council provides that Scrutiny Committees also determine a work programme for the Municipal Year.

Relevant Issues and Options

4.             Work programmes for Scrutiny Committees are agreed for inclusion into the Annual Report.

5.             The Forward Work Programme for each Scrutiny Committee will include:

·               performance monitoring

·               revenue and capital expenditure monitoring

·               budget proposals - annual reporting

·               service planning - annual reporting

·               emerging strategies from the Corporate Plan and Community Strategy and any other Task and Finish projects where identified

·               decision tracking of Committee recommendations

·               the Cabinet Forward Work Programme

·               items agreed by Committee for submission to the Scrutiny Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen Group in order to prioritise workload as a result of capacity issues within the IDT and Scrutiny and Committee Services teams

·               receiving progress reports and various Committee recommendations and other matters that the Committee considers.

6.             The Scrutiny Chairmen / Vice-Chairmen Group continues to provide a forum to share good practice and lessons learnt and to co-ordinate work programmes.

Scrutiny Budget

7.             An annual scrutiny budget of £10,000 was established and is held within Scrutiny and Committee Services with the purpose of supporting the work of the Council’s scrutiny function.  This budget has been used to fund fact finding visits and hire of accommodation for meetings.

Promotion of the Scrutiny Function

8.             Articles have appeared in the Vale Waves and in copies of the Citizen’s Panel News.  Improvements to the Scrutiny website pages have also been developed during the year.  Press interest has been shown in many of the topics which fall within the remit of the Committee for e.g. Bryneithin and the Economic Slowdown.

9.             The Scrutiny Handbook has been updated, together with Scrutiny Guides for Members of the Public, Witnesses Attending meetings and Members and Officers.  These are available at the Civic Offices, other offices of the Council and libraries and on the Council’s website.  The Council has received a commendation from the Welsh Assembly Government for its work on developing Scrutiny Guides.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

10.        The scrutiny budget of £10,000 will be available to assist Scrutiny Members to undertake their role.

11.        Capacity issues exist affecting IDT and Scrutiny and Committee Services Sections in terms of their ability to support the Council's Scrutiny function.  IDT's involvement in this area will be considerably reduced.  Scrutiny and Committee Services Officers will support task and Finish Group reviews based on the general assumption that no new Groups be established prior to other review work being finalised.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

12.        The Council is required to comply with the Local Government Act 2000 and subordinate legislation in relation to the Scrutiny function.

Crime and Disorder Implications

13.        None.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

14.        None.

Corporate/Service Objectives

15.        Improving and developing the effectiveness of Scrutiny contributes towards the Community Leadership Corporate Plan objectives to "improve public engagement in work programmes of the Cabinet and Scrutiny Committees through designing the agenda content to address issues of local interest and holding meetings at venues" (2007-2010).

Policy Framework and Budget

16.        Article 6 of the Constitution requires Scrutiny Committee Annual Reports to be presented to Full Council.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

17.        The political groups have been consulted on the Work Programme for 2009/10 and the prioritising of reviews identified via the Work Programme will be undertaken by the Scrutiny Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen Group on 23rd June 2009.

18.        The reporting of Annual Scrutiny Committee reports is an internal matter, and, therefore, no external consultation is necessary.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

19.        All.

Background Papers

Council Constitution

Cabinet and Scrutiny Minutes 2007/08

Contact Officer

Jeff Rees, Tel: 01446 709413

Officers Consulted

All Directors and the Improvement and Development Team.

Responsible Officer:

Peter H. Evans, Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services.