Agenda item

To consider and agree the Workplan for the Learning and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2009/10.

Members considered a workplan for the Learning and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the Civic Year 2009-10,  a summary of items which were listed on the Executive Forward Plan for decision by the Executive Member for Children and Young People’s Services and the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion, and a proposed topic for review.

The Chair announced that she had spoken to the Executive Member for Children and Young People’s Services with a view to her attending a future meeting of the Committee. She advised that she would also liaise with the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion.

The Scrutiny Officer advised confirmed that the Democratic Services Manager would be writing to all Members to invite them to attend the December meetings of the Scrutiny Committees to discuss ongoing and planned work within their portfolio areas, in an effort to identify possible topics for review

Members questioned the value of including Forward Plan items with the agenda papers and suggested it could be more beneficial to receive notification of what issues would be coming up on a more long term basis ie  6 months ahead in order that the scrutiny committee could use the information to identify topics for pre-decision scrutiny. The Scrutiny Officer advised Members that the Effective Organisation Overview & Scrutiny Committee had agreed to undertake a review of the Forward Plan so would be looking at this issue.

Members discussed the proposal which had been received from Councillor Looker to undertake ’a review of casual play opportunities for young children, with a focus on city centre provision‘. Members suggested that the review takes a comparison between a city centre area and a village location and noted that the review would look at play opportunities not just play equipment. Officers voiced their support towards the review. Members suggested it would be useful go to schools to talk to parents about play opportunities and agreed that it would be beneficial to hear a presentation by the Head of Parks and Open Spaces on the 'Playbuilder' data results, to provide a background for the review.

RESOLVED:

(i)         That the Scrutiny Officer and Chair agree the workplan for forthcoming meetings.

(ii)        That an additional meeting be arranged to take place in November and Members be consulted on a suitable date. ¹

(iii)       That, with regard to the proposed review of play opportunities, the

Head of Parks and Open spaces be invited to attend a future meeting to give a presentation. ²

(iv)       That the Executive Member for Children and Young People’s Services and the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee ³

(v)        That an update on the implementation of recommendations from the scrutiny review undertaken by the Cultural Quarter Ad-Hoc Scrutiny Committee be received at a future meeting.

(vi)       That the Chairs of both York@Large and the Learning City Partnership be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee. ⁴

REASON:            To progress the work of the Committee.