Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Hardacre commented on minute item four of the previous meeting which referred to a ward by ward breakdown of accessibility to computers in Wolverhampton. He reported that the information received in response to this, particularly the map, was difficult to understand. 

Councillors Hardacre and Bolshaw commented on minute item eight of the previous meeting which referred to the complaints report.  They reported that the information received in response to this was incomplete, particularly regarding the equalities analysis.  Councillor Bolshaw advised that the concern about complaints falling through the system would be addressed in the quarter three report next month.

The Chair advised that he had contacted the Director of Governance in order to discuss the issues raised, the outcome of which would be circulated to the panel. Councillors Bolshaw and Hardacre agreed to attend. The Graduate Management Trainee agreed to arrange a date for this to take place.

Councillor Sweetman referred to minute item six of the previous meeting, which referred to the value of appraisals. She highlighted this point further, advising that monitoring the quality of appraisals, in line with the corporate plan, was fundamental. It was agreed that the quarter three Corporate Performance report must reflect this.

Councillors reported that feedback was due back regarding the Board’s comments on the draft budget which took place at the last meeting.

Resolved:

1.     That the Graduate Management Trainee arrange a meeting with the Director of Governance, to discuss equalities and complaints concerns.

2.     That the Quarter three Corporate Performance Report highlight the value of quality appraisals to the organisation.

3.     That feedback be reported to the Board in response to comments on the draft budget from the last meeting before Cabinet.

[To consider progress made to implement recommendations from the review and agree to close it on the basis that the recommendations are being implemented.]

Sheila Collett, Head of Economic Inclusion and Jim Cunningham, Head of Enterprise and Skills, updated the Board on progress of the implementation of recommendations to seek sign off of the review. The Head of Economic Inclusion highlighted the significance of the review in helping to shape future partnership landscapes, the Wolverhampton volunteering offer, pathways to employment, mentoring for entrepreneurs and work experience for residents.  She advised that as a result of the review, an adult pilot for work experience had been developed and funding had been attracted to address some of the issues identified in the review regarding youth employment.

The Head of Enterprise and Skills reported on investment activity in the City, commenting on Wiggle’s relocation and the 112 jobs that were secured for residents.

In response to a question from Councillor Hardacre, the Head of Economic Inclusion clarified the role of the skills and employment commission in the review.  She also clarified the evidence base of the review recommendations, which included feedback from the Youth Council and local businesses. Employees agreed to provide the evidence regarding education and business partner activity performance.

Commenting on bullet point four of section 3.4.3 of the report, which referred to the disconnect between schools and businesses, Councillor Hardacre highlighted that the majority of students in Wolverhampton were achieving national guidelines. He commented that the disconnect was not solely related to partnering with business but the effects of poverty and quality of teaching.

In a response to observations from Councillor Hardacre about the equalities implications of the report, the Head of Economic Inclusion agreed to clarify the implications in terms of the recommendations. She also agreed to circulate the draft action plan that is currently under development once that this has been considered by the City Board.

The Head of Economic Inclusion advised that an action plan update would be presented at City Board in April. The Chair requested that this be brought back to the Board for sign off once the above information had been received at the first meeting after City Board. 

Resolved:

1.     That the progress made to implement recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Employability and Skills was considered.

2.     That the Head of Economic Inclusion review and clarify the equalities section of the report before coming back to the Board in May.

3.     That the report authors circulate evidence regarding education and business partner activity performance.

4.     That the Head of Economic Inclusion and Head of Enterprise and Skills circulate the draft skills and employment action plan following its consideration by the City Board.

[To consider the Board’s work programme for future meetings.]

Scrutiny Board received a copy of the work programme and noted its content.

Resolved:

That the work programme be agreed.

[To pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Act relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)]

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Act relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

[The Scrutiny Board will review the C3 programme and the Council plans for 2016 and beyond with the Managing Director.]

Resolved:

1.     That the Board noted the C3 programme and Council plans for 2016 and beyond.

2.     That an item on the Combined Authority be put on the work programme for April.

3.     That a lessons learned report regarding the upheld LGO cases be put on the work programme for the next municipal year.