Issue - meetings

The Group Manager - Democracy presented the work programme.  He reported that the Chairs of the Review Panels were due to meet in November to discuss their work.  He also commented that scrutiny of budget would take place in the next round of meetings.

It was agreed that the Tracking and Monitoring of the Welfare Reform – Employability and Skills report be moved to the 12 January 2016 meeting of Scrutiny Board.

The Chair reported that a meeting had been set up for the Chairs and Vice Chairs to discuss the development of the scrutiny function.  The Chair invited feedback from Councillors about improving the scrutiny function.

Cllr Hardacre reported that following correspondence with various organisations during a scrutiny review, it appeared as though that obtaining Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance was left to the volunteers.

It was agreed that this would be investigated further.

The Group Manager – Democracy requested that Specific Reserves Working Group be added to the Confident Capable Council work programme.

Cllr Brookfield enquired about additional panel and board meetings which were not scheduled in the work programme at the beginning of each municipal year.  She commented that scheduled meetings throughout the year would be better than arranging additional ones.

The Chair advised that task and finish groups were also justified if there was a major issue to be worked on.  It was agreed that this would be looked into further.

Resolved:

1)     That subject to the following amendments, the work programme be agreed:

a)     Tracking and Monitoring of the Welfare Reform – Unclaimed Benefits Scrutiny Review be moved to the 12 January 2016 Scrutiny Board meeting.

b)     Specific Reserves Working Group be added to the Confident Capable Council work programme.

2)     That the Group Manager – Democracy look into additional scrutiny meetings being included in the schedule of meetings.

3)     That the process for volunteers obtaining DBS checks be investigated.