In the absence of Councillor Nicholson, the Chair sought nominations for a Vice-Chair.

Agreed that Councillor Lock, having been proposed by Councillor Mrs Bowyer and seconded by Councillor Browne, is appointed Vice-Chair for the purpose of this meeting.

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

The following declarations of interest were made in accordance with the Code of Conduct in relation to items under discussion at this meeting –

The Management Board will be asked to agree the minutes of the meetings held on 27 July and 7 September 2011.

Agreed -

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

There were no items of Chair’s urgent business.

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board will receive an update from the Leader and Chief Executive on current Council and City issues.

The Chair welcomed the Leader and the Chief Executive who were in attendance to report on current City and Council issues, which included -

• Americas Cup – Plymouth had successfully played host to this prestigious yachting event which had attracted thousands of spectators to the Hoe and surrounding foreshore;
• Inward Investment - a team of 50 representatives had recently visited the City to see what Plymouth had to offer;
• British Arts Show - the City was current host to the 7^th British Arts Show with exhibitions on display at five different venues from 17 September to 4 December 2011;
• Life Centre – works continued to progress well with the development overall and the hi-tech, state-of-the-art fitness suite was very impressive.  Members were encouraged to make arrangements to visit the development;
• Plymouth Argyle – the Council had offered to consider purchasing back the ground should it become a factor in saving the club.  Any sale would be subject to an open market bidding process;
• Terms and Conditions – agreement had now been reached with all of the unions following eight months of difficult negotiations.  This agreement will help achieve the £18m worth of savings required from the employment budget over the next three years;
• Senior Management Structure – a report proposing changes to the Senior Management Structure would be presented to City Council in October.

Members commented that –

• they had concerns about the accuracy and consistency of some of the information being provided following departmental restructures, particularly in Children’s Services where some staff were appearing on more than one structure chart – this was something that was currently being pursued through the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Panel;
• it would be helpful to know the timescale for the senior management structure;
• lessons could be learned from the America’s Cup, particularly with regard to the co-ordination of different events in the City.  Identification of a nominated lead officer within the Council for such events would help Councillors with any queries or issues they may have;
• sight of the economic gain to the City from the America’s Cup would be welcomed, including a breakdown of what it actually cost the City to host the event;
• whilst an opportunity to visit the Life Centre was welcomed, it appeared visits were  currently restricted to being accompanied by Councillor Bowyer;
• the opposition had submitted a motion on notice to City Council back in January to buy back the ground from Plymouth Argyle;
• the de-recognition and subsequent recognition of Unison may have damaged the Council’s reputation;
• the Forward Plan often included new items at short notice with tight timescales for decision-making.

In response to comments/questions raised Members heard that –

To receive an update on progress with regard to the Board’s recommendations to Cabinet arising from the budget scrutiny process.

Further to minute 113, the Board received an update on progress against recommendations arising from scrutiny of the Budget and Corporate Plan 2011.  In attendance to present the report and respond to questions were Jonathan Fry, Senior Policy, Performance and Partnership Advisor, Councillor Mrs Pengelly, Leader, and Barry Keel, Chief Executive.

In response to questions raised Members were advised that –

Agreed that responses be provided in writing to Members of the Board in respect of –

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board will monitor progress on previous decisions.

The Board considered the schedule of decisions made.  Members were advised that Cabinet had considered a number of the Board’s recommendations, including those relating to the Localities and Neighbourhood Working Review at its meeting on 13 September.  

With regard to –

Agreed that –

Members will be advised of any executive decisions that have been called in.

There were no call-ins for consideration at this meeting.

To consider the Annual Scrutiny Report for the year 2010/2011.

Further to minute 11, Members were advised that the Annual Scrutiny report had now been circulated to all scrutiny panels and no comments had been received.

Agreed –

To receive Task and Finish Group Updates/Reports.

Members received an update on progress with the Growth and Prosperity Task and Finish Group on Winter Maintenance.  Highlights of the update included –

The Board noted the update with thanks.

Agreed that approval of the Growth and Prosperity Task and Finish Group Winter Maintenance report be delegated to the Scrutiny Lead Officer in consultation with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, Councillor James, and Councillor Mrs Aspinall.

To receive and consider recommendations from panels, Cabinet or Council.

The Board endorsed and agreed the following recommendations –

Customers and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

To receive and consider project initiation documents submitted by scrutiny panels.

The Board considered the following Project Initiation Documents (PIDs) –

• Apprenticeships;
• Children’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health;
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.

With regard to –

Agreed –

(Councillor Mrs Bowyer declared a personal interest in respect of the above item).

To consider and approve work programmes for each of the scrutiny panels, to include a progress update from each of the Chairs.

The work programmes of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board were submitted for consideration and approval. 

Agreed that -

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.