Agenda item - Overview & Scrutiny Annual Report 2010-11

Report of the Strategic Director: Resources (copy attached).

12.1         Councillor Mitchell introduced the report which outlined the work of Overview & Scrutiny over the last year.  She wished to thank all the Members who had been involved and the interviewees who gave evidence to the various review panels.  There had been a wide-range of activities which had been reviewed and she highlighted the work of the Adult Autism Panel and the Environmental Renewable Panel.  She also welcomed the process for the In-Year Budget Review and hoped that this would continue for the forthcoming Budget setting cycle.  She also wished to thank the Overview & Scrutiny team for their work and support over the year.

12.2         Councillor G. Theobald welcomed the report and stated that the overview & scrutiny process had represented the previous Administration’s desire to have an open and transparent decision-making system.  However, he noted that the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Commission had been offered to the Labour & Co-Operative Group rather than the Conservative Group as the main opposition.  He also questioned the ability of the Environment & Community Safety Overview & Scrutiny Committee to the three Cabinet Members whose portfolios were covering the Environment one that he previously held.

12.3         Councillor Randall welcomed the report and congratulated Councillor Mitchell on chairing of the Commission and stated that the Administration believed scrutiny had an important role to play in the development and review of policy.

12.4         Councillor Simson noted that the voluntary sector had welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the budget review and was pleased to see that the intention was to include as many interested parties as possible in the next round of budget setting.

12.5         Councillor West noted the comments and stated that the role of overview & scrutiny was highly valued and he hoped that future reviews would prove to be as effective and well received.

12.6         The Mayor noted that the report had been moved and asked that it be noted.

12.7         RESOLVED: That the annual report of the Overview & Scrutiny Commission be noted.

Motion to terminate the meeting:

12.8         In accordance with Procedural rule 17, the Mayor noted that the meeting had been in session for over four hours and she was therefore required to move a closure motion to effectively terminate the meeting.

12.9         The Mayor moved the closure motion and put the matter to the vote which was lost and therefore resulted in the continuation of the meeting.