Agenda item

The Scrutiny Officer submitted a report outlining the future work programme for the Community Scrutiny Committee.  The Scrutiny Officer referred to the work programme being considered early on the agenda in line with the new approach being adopted by all three Scrutiny Committees.

The Committee was invited to approve two Members to contribute to a working group to work with Officers in reviewing the performance indicators relevant to Community Scrutiny Committee.

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services reminded Members that all of the Scrutiny Committees had been challenged by the Executive to think more proactively in respect of what was included on the Scrutiny Work Programmes.

The Scrutiny Officer referred to a recent Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) briefing in respect of anti social behaviour and environmental crime.  Members were advised that this might be the subject for a future task and finish group, as any changes to the law would require the Authority to fully review its policies relating to these matters.

The Chairman stated that the issue of farmers/general market provision would be initially considered by Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee as part of a wider consideration on economic development, so she thought it best to not initiate a separate report to Community Scrutiny at this time. 

Members had a lengthy discussion in respect of the invitation that had been extended to the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner to attend a meeting of Community Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor N Symonds strongly welcomed the inclusion of this visit on the work programme.  This was supported and Members requested that an invite be extended to the Commissioner for the September 2013 meeting with the November 2013 meeting as a fall back option.

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services urged Members not to be daunted by the number of items on the work programme.  He further suggested that 3 dates could be suggested to the Commissioner with a degree of flexibility being introduced to the work programme to facilitate his visit.  Members supported the necessary flexibility in respect of the work programme to accommodate this visit.

Members also agreed that Councillors J Mayes and N Symonds should join the working group to assist the Performance Team in examining whether the performance indicators for Community Scrutiny Committee remained useful and relevant.

The Scrutiny Officer advised that the findings of the Performance Indicator working group would be reported to all three Scrutiny Committees in November 2013 and a final report would be submitted to a joint meeting of Scrutiny Committees in 2014. 

Members received the report and supported the amendments now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the work programme as amended, be agreed, subject to further amendments as necessary to facilitate the visit by the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner;

(B)   three dates be offered as part of an invite to be extended to the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, to include the September and November 2013 meetings of the Committee; and

(C)   Councillors J Mayes and N Symonds join the working group to assist the Performance Team in examining whether the performance indicators for Community Scrutiny Committee were useful and relevant.