Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the code of conduct.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

Delivery Plan for Partnership, Governance and Scrutiny Arrangements

The Chair sought Members’ permission to discuss the new proposals for partnership, governance and scrutiny arrangements, following consideration of the scheduled agenda items.

Agreed.

(In accordance with Section 100(B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Chair brought forward the above item of business because of the need to consult Members).

To consider the report presented to Cabinet on 29 March 2011.

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board considered the report presented to Cabinet on 29 March 2011, paying particular attention to –

• the four new ‘invest to save’ initiatives
• continuation of the Carefirst project
• the rolling out of phase II of the Accommodation Strategy

Prior to looking at each scheme in detail, Members’ attention was drawn to the fact that some of the figures in the report, relating to the Carefirst project, were incorrect.  These were corrected as follows –

Paragraph 4.2

Total Capital Expenditure should read £2, 323,000

Total Revenue Expenditure should read £2,545,000

            ‘Implications’ section of the report

Capital Programme project summary table -

Carefirst Total should read £2,323,000

Overall Total should read £7,175,000

Members expressed concern that this information was now in the public domain and suggested that an amendment be circulated in time for consideration of the report at City Council on Monday.

At a time of rising costs and reducing resources, Members welcomed the principle of ‘invest to save’ initiatives.  However, when considering the report in detail, and hearing from each of the project lead officers, Members felt the need to highlight the following –

Whilst Members noted and endorsed Councillor Bowyer’s proposal that ongoing review of the progress on ‘invest to save’ schemes should form part of the regular financial reporting cycle, disappointment was expressed at the quality of this particular report in that it failed to provide the necessary information required for them to form a view on the schemes contained therein.

Agreed that –

Recommended that –

To consider any executive decisions that have been called in.

Transfer of Freehold for Nomony Children’s Centre

With reference to minute 91, the Democratic Support Officer reported that, following consultation with ward members, the Cabinet Member’s decision had not altered and had now been implemented.

Delivery Plan for Partnership, Governance and Scrutiny Arrangements

The Chair presented to the Board draft proposals for new partnership, governance and scrutiny arrangements.  Members were informed that –

Initial concerns raised related to –

• the ability to hold Cabinet to account and particularly being able to challenge/question individual Cabinet Members
• loss of opportunity for Members to build up skills and knowledge by serving on individual scrutiny panels
• locality working

The Chair further commented that he and/or the Lead Officer would be happy to attend each of the political group meetings to provide a formal briefing on the proposals.

Further to minute 122a, Councillor McDonald reminded Members that there was still opportunity to respond to the 'Review of Statutory Duties Placed on Local Government' consultation on the Communities and Local Government website.

Agreed that the link to the 'Review of Statutory Duties Placed on Local Government' consultation is circulated to Members of the Board by the Democratic Support Officer.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) … of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

There were no items of exempt business.