[To receive updates from the chairs of the Scrutiny Panels:
· Stronger City Economy Scrutiny Panel
· Vibrant and Sustainable City Scrutiny Panel
· Health Scrutiny Panel
· Our Council Scrutiny Panel
· Adults and Safer City Scrutiny Panel
· Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panel
Minutes:
The Board received updates from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Panels.
Stronger City Economy Scrutiny Panel:
Cllr Sweetman stated that her panel had not met yet and that the next meeting would be on Tuesday 16 July.
The agenda included a joint item with the Vibrant Panel on transport and linking the city and public realm. An item on the Digital Infrastructure Strategy and a review of work over the last year was also on the agenda.
The work plan for the Panel was pretty much established but organic and it was important that the Panel be able to respond to external environmental issues.
The Panel would also be looking at the Council’s branding and marketing strategy over the years and the overall marketing strategy with strategic overview. The Panel would also be considering the business plan for the Civic Halls and the plans for the future. There would be an update on apprenticeships to see what progress had been made and some scrutiny of the skills and employment offers in the City.
Health Scrutiny Panel
Cllr Page informed the Board that there had been one meeting of the Health Scrutiny Panel and he thanked the scrutiny officer for all of his support.
Cllr Page stated that he had so far been very impressed with all those who had attended the panel and the contributions made. Of particular interest had been an item on suicide which had really helped to raised awareness around the shocking statistics regarding young men and suicide. The Panel had also considered the issue of health care transition between children and adults and some very good points had been raised with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust having prepared a policy procedure for this.
There were some issues in receiving information for the child death overview item and the chair had sent a letter to request this information; the Panel would like to see more cooperation regarding this.
Our Council Scrutiny Panel
Cllr Brookfield informed the Board that her Panel had considered the issue of council tax recovery and that the Panel had been impressed with the support systems in place at the council. The Panel had received an update in relation to the changes taking place in Customer Services and this issue would be revisited later in the year. The Panel had also received a very informative report regarding the Council’s asset management programme.
Adults and Safer City Scrutiny Panel
Cllr Evans stated that her Panel had considered two pre-decision items and that every member of the Panel had made a good contribution to the debate.
Cllr Evans considered that the Panel might start doing some site visits as the portfolio was so big and she would like the members to go out and see what was actually going on. Cllr Evans stated that she was also interested in carrying out some cross panel working as there were many overlapping issues and concerns. The Panel were due to consider the adult education service, the blue badge scheme and a joint item on dementia and loneliness. Cllr Evans was keen to invite the Police and Crime Commissioner to a future meeting and stated that other chairs and cabinet members would be invited to attend this meeting. Cllr Evans thanked the scrutiny officer for his support.
Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panel.
Cllr Potter stated that the first meeting had been held on 19 June when the Panel had considered the Headstart programme, which was providing a fantastic service. Cllr Potter stated that the Panel were keen to see the service sustained but also expanded to tackle new and more complex problems. The Panel had considered the issue of elective home education and the proposed legislation regarding this. The Panel had noted some concerns regarding elective home education such as safeguarding, social skills and whether parents were properly equipped to teach their children; the Panel were also concerned that parents did not have to engage with the local authority or follow a set curriculum when educating their children.
The Panel had also considered the Youth Justice Plan and noted that the Council had committed to improve outcomes for young people and to create a safer community.
An additional meeting was planned for October when the Panel would be considering supported unaccompanied asylum seekers.