Scrutiny Committee Agenda 17 September 2008

Contact: Debbie Meakin
Phone: (01395) 517540
E-mail: dmeakin@eastdevon.gov.uk

Meeting of the Scrutiny Committee; Wednesday 17 September 2008 at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber.

Members of the public are welcome to attend this meeting.

  • A period of 15 minutes has been provided to allow members of the public to raise questions.
  • In addition, after a report has been introduced by the relevant Portfolio Holder and/or officer, the Chairman of the Committee will ask if any member of the public would like to speak in respect of the matter and/or ask questions.
  • All individual contributions will be limited to a period of 3 minutes – where there is an interest group of objectors or supporters, a spokesperson should be appointed to speak on behalf of group.
  • The public is advised that the Chairman has the right and discretion to control questions to avoid disruption, repetition and to make best use of the meeting time.

A hearing loop system will be in operation in the Council Chamber

AGENDA

1. Public question time – standard agenda item (15 minutes) Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Committee through the Chairman.

Each individual questioner exercising the right to speak during this public question time is restricted to speaking for a total of 3 minutes.
Councillors also have the opportunity to ask questions of the Leader and/or Portfolio Holders during this time slot whilst giving priority at this part of the agenda to members  of the public. The Chairman has the right and discretion to control question time to avoid disruption, repetition, and to make best use of the meeting time.
2. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee held on 9 July 2008.
3. To receive any apologies for absence.
4. To consider any items which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be dealt with as matters of urgency because of special circumstances.
(Note: such circumstances need to be clearly identified in the minutes; Councillors please notify the Chief Executive in advance of the meeting if you wish to raise a matter under this item.  The Chief Executive will then consult with the Chairman).
5. To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including the press) have been excluded.  
There are no items which the Officers recommend should be dealt with in this way.
6. Decisions made by the Executive Board called in by Members for scrutiny in accordance with the Overview Procedure Rules under Part 4.5 of the Constitution (There are no items which have been identified)
7. Performance Indicators considered by the Executive Board: Councillors please contact Democratic Services at least 3 working days in advance of the meeting if you wish to discuss particular Performance Indicators with a relevant Officer or Portfolio Holder at a Scrutiny Committee meeting.
8. Devon Primary Care Trust – Presentation on “The Way Ahead – The Next Steps”
(Councillor Jill Elson, Portfolio Holder for Communities, is invited to attend)

Dr Kevin Snee from Devon PCT will give an update on the consultation on the PCT’s strategic framework, and answer Members’ questions, with particular reference to EDDC’s corporate priorities..  The PDF Icon PCT Consultation Report published in June 2008 (160KB - PDF Help) is included for Members;  and a copy of the PDF Icon recent correspondence between the Committee and Dr Snee (1080KB - PDF Help) for information.
9. Dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour at Car Parks
(Councillor Chris Gibbings, Member Champion for Community Safety; Councillor David Cox; Councillor Peter Halse, Portfolio Holder for Economy; Representative from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary; Len Wright, Senior Car Park Inspector, invited to attend)

Members to discuss problems with anti-social behaviour in some of East Devon’s car parks; highlighted are the recent difficulties at the Land of Canaan Cark Park, Ottery St Mary, which has led to meetings with the local action group of the Community Safety Partnership to try to reach solutions.  Attached for Members’ information are the PDF Icon minutes from the East and Mid Devon Community Safety Partnership local meeting held on 14 September 2008 (57KB - PDF Help);  and an PDF Icon extract of the recommendations made by the Anti-Social Behaviour Task and Finish Forum (19KB - PDF Help) in 2006.
10. PDF Icon Update on Poltimore House (62KB - PDF Help)
(Councillor Graham Liverton, Portfolio Holder for Environment; Councillor Andrew Moulding, Portfolio Holder for Resources are invited to attend)

Members are asked to consider the update on the legal and financial background, following discussion at the last Scrutiny Committee in July 2008
Mr Alan Payne has been invited to attend the Scrutiny Committee again (date to be confirmed) to provide detail on the business plan; his response is that he wishes to bring with him Professors Peter Totterdill and Claire Donovan to present their work in respect of the College of Heritage Construction and the Business Plan.  Poltimore House has two open days as part of the national Heritage Open Days on the 13 and 14 September 2008
11. PDF Icon Quarterly Monitoring of Performance Indicators - First Quarter 2008/09 (180KB - PDF Help)
(Denise Lyon, Corporate Director)

Denise Lyon will give a short presentation to help Members to understand the Council’s new approach to measures in the services introduced in planning and benefits.  This will include a full explanation of the terms in the report, particularly under paragraph six
12. PDF Icon Quarterly Monitoring of Service Plans – First Quarter 2008/09 (167KB - PDF Help)
(Bob Darbourne, Communications & Improvement Manager)

Members are asked to consider performance against service plans for the first quarter of this financial year, and identify areas where improvements may be required.
13. PDF Icon Scrutiny Committee Forward Plan (12KB - PDF Help)
14. PDF Icon Task and Finish Forum Status Report (20KB - PDF Help)