Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 15^th February, 2018, be received and approved as a correct record.

Committee were requested to consider seven new topics for inclusion in the Scrutiny Workplan for 2018/19, as outlined in the report. If approved, the topics would be in addition to the regular standing topics which were considered each year as part of the Scrutiny work programme namely, Performance, the Council’s Budget and Crime and Disorder.

Members considered the proposed topics including four additional topics that had been suggested since the publication of the report as follows:-

Digital Service Transformation Project

Committee Members were aware that this initiative was a priority for the Council who had already agreed funding to undertake the transformation.  A Members’ Seminar had been arranged for 12^th June, 2018 to outline the digital transformation framework and the timelines for implementation.  The Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) had requested this topic to be included on the Workplan.

The Committee welcomed the chance to review this initiative but expressed their desire for the review to be robust.  Members were well aware of the ongoing problems being faced by residents not being able to pay for Council services online etc. and wished to see these issues resolved properly and in a timely manner. 

It was suggested that Members on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as part of the review, could be the interface between the Transformation Project Sponsors and the District’s more vulnerable residents/groups that particularly need support and guidance for sharing their ‘voice’ in relation to accessing Council services.  An idea was also mooted that the Council could make contact with local organisations (who offer help to the vulnerable sectors of Ashfield) and tap into their resources to inform/shape the digital transformation requirements to ensure access for all.

Council Tax Exemption for Care Leavers

This topic was due to be discussed at the next Scrutiny Panel A meeting.

Leisure Centre Project

Members commented that there were various parts/stages of the Kirkby in Ashfield Leisure Centre build project that could be reviewed and suggested that CLT could be asked to provide a more informed steer as to their intentions for the review.

Syrian Refugee Resettlement Scheme

Committee welcomed this review but hoped that a post project evaluation exercise had taken place following the initial refugee resettlement in 2017.  Access to this information would be useful and would inform the review process.

Selective Licensing

It was noted that Phase 1 of the Selective Licensing Scheme had been successfully implemented and the Council were now looking to roll out Phase 2 within the District.

Markets (Indoor/Outdoor)

The Chairman advised Committee that he had proposed this topic for the Workplan following recent conversations with disgruntled market traders and the ongoing decrease in stall occupancy at both the indoor and outdoor markets at Sutton notwithstanding the recent £1.8m refurbishment of the indoor market.

Members expressed their reservations at reviewing this topic and felt that any review of the recent occupancy rates and rent levels for the indoor/outdoor markets should be undertaken by the Cabinet whilst having regard for the projected outcomes that were agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item OS3