Issue - meetings

This will report the Cabinet’s response to the questionnaire, and will be despatched on 20 September 2007.

(1)       The Chairman introduced the paper and noted that the Adult Social Services POC had shown up well amongst other POCs as making the optimum use of its powers.  He said his aim was for the POC to be the best at embracing the scrutiny role and helping the Cabinet Member to form policy.

(2)       In discussion, Members made a number of comments on the report content, as follows:-

(a)       The POC has already done well in contributing to scrutiny and has always engaged well with the Cabinet Member to address issues – I would not seek to change the process we have, including the way the POC challenges the Directorate and his management team in the role of ‘critical friend’.

(b)       The split between Adults’ and Children’s Services meant that we had a reorganisation fairly recently and we need time to settle down again before we make any more changes in the way the Committee works.

(c)        The questionnaire answers said that too much time is spent listening to officers introducing reports.  It would be a better use of time to assume that Members have read the reports.

(d)       Members also engage with the issue outside the formal POC meetings through mechanisms like cross-party subject briefings and District Member briefings.  These raise Members’ awareness and give them a chance to meet and question officers, but the success of these relies on active Member support and attendance.

(e)       Members need to be able to see issues which are coming up in good time to have maximum opportunity to engage with and comment on them.

(3)       Mr Lynes stated that it was his intention at all future meetings to sit alongside the Chairman of the POC as it offered the opportunity for all Members of the Committee to scrutinise issues and question him on any aspect of the portfolio being discussed at those meetings.

(4)       Mr Mills said he found the questionnaire mechanism an excellent way of gaining good practical feedback and that he welcomed the ‘critical friend’ role of the POC.

(5)       RESOLVED that the Cabinet’s response to the POC questionnaire, and the comments made in discussion by Members, listed above, be noted.