Agenda and minutes

Members were invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.  Councillor Barnes declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 5 – “Scrutiny Review Support Budget”, as a trustee of York Museums Trust which is referred to in the report.  Councillor Galvin declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 – “Edible York Scrutiny Review”, as the secretary of the Ancient Society of York Florists.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2011.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the SMC meeting held on 26 September 2011 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Committee’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Friday 25 November 2011.

It was reported that there were no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report informs SMC of the progress in implementing the Edible York Ad Hoc Scrutiny Review recommendations.

Members received a report that informed them of the progress in implementing the Edible York Ad Hoc Scrutiny Review recommendations.

Officers updated Members on the actions that had been taken. Members were pleased to note that good progress had been made, although there was still work to be done in respect of the collection and distribution of re-cycled garden tools.  Members suggested that it would be useful if projects such as “Dig in” continued to be well promoted, including in ward publications.

RESOLVED:       (i)      That the report be noted.

(ii)      That the recommendations be signed off as complete.

REASON:            To raise awareness of any recommendations still to be implemented.

This report sets out the current position in relation to available council funding for overview and scrutiny work.  The report also consults SMC on any recommendations it may wish to make to Cabinet prior to the budget setting process for 2012/13.

Members received a report that set out the current position in relation to available Council funding for overview and scrutiny review work. 

Members were asked to consider whether they wished to make a recommendation to Cabinet for a scrutiny support budget for use on external consultation/market research, and if so, to what level.

Members stressed the need to ensure that scrutiny functioned effectively and agreed that it was therefore important that resources were available to support the process.  Mindful of the present financial position, discussion took place as to the amount of funding that should be requested.  Whilst some Members recommended that £10,000 was an appropriate sum, others suggested that £5,000 would be sufficient to support scrutiny reviews, particularly if other sources of information, such as on-line resources and networking opportunities, continued to be utilised.

It was agreed that it was also important that arrangements were in place to manage the budget and ensure that the funding was allocated fairly and expediently.  For these reasons it was suggested that decisions about the allocation of funding from the scrutiny support budget should be delegated to the Chair, Vice-Chair and Cllr Cunningham-Cross.

RESOLVED:       (i)      That it be recommended to Cabinet that a

scrutiny support budget of £5,000 be allocated¹.

(ii)      That authorisation of expenditure from the scrutiny support budget would be delegated to the Chair, Vice-Chair and Councillor Cunningham-Cross.

REASONS:         (i)      To address the constitutional right of SMC

to comment to Cabinet on setting a scrutiny budget.

(ii)      To ensure effective arrangements are in

          place to manage the budget.

This report provides information on the expected changes to the role of overview and scrutiny as a result of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, and an update on the work of the Yorkshire and Humber Members Regional Scrutiny Network.

Members received a report that provided information on the expected changes to the role of overview and scrutiny as a result of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, and an update on the work of the Yorkshire and Humber Members Regional Scrutiny Network.

Members were encouraged to attend a Members Regional Scrutiny Network event that was to be held on 2 December 2011.

RESOLVED:       (i)      That the information within the report be

                                      noted.

(ii)      That SMC Members would endeavour to attend the regional scrutiny network event and would encourage other Members to do so.

REASON:            To ensure the future work of overview and scrutiny in York reflects fully the forthcoming changes and remains robust and fit for purpose.