Agenda and draft minutes

Matter Arising-Climate Change

(1) In response to a question as to why this item was not on the agenda for this meeting as indicated in the minutes of the last meeting, the Overview Scrutiny and Localism Manager reported that this issue had been dealt with through an alternative mechanism and therefore it was no longer appropriate for the item to go before the Committee.

(2) RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2009 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

(1)       The Committee had before them the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Localism Manager setting out the proposal for Topic Reviews for inclusion in the Select Committee Topic Review Programme 2009-11.

(2)       Included in the papers for each of the proposal was an assessment form signed by the proposer (and in the majority of cases) endorsed by the appropriate Cabinet Member(s) and Managing Director(s).

(3)       The Chairman reported that since the report had been published he had received an e-mail notification but no assessment for two Topic reviews put forward by the Leader of the Council:-

(a)               Joint Commissioning – is it working?

(b)               Vocational Education

(4)       The Chairman also informed the Committee that the proposal for a `Topic Review on “The Future of Waste” had been withdrawn by the proposer Mr Brazier.

(5)       The Overview and Scrutiny and Localism Manager informed the Committee that the principles agreed by the County Council on 15 October 2009 would enable any Member to be a “rapporteur” (once a scheme had been developed by the new Scrutiny Board in conjunction with the Executive) as another alternative mechanism at the Committees disposal for the suggested topics to be addressed.

(6)       The Committee were given 20 minute presentations for each of the proposed topics:-

(a)             Dementia – presented by one of the proposers Mrs Dean  and Mr Angell was present as the  Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care;

(b)             Educational Attainment of Pupils and Schools in Areas of High Deprivation – presented by the proposers Mr Vye and Mrs Dean. Mr Cooke  Deputy Cabinet Member was in attendance together with Mr M Baker, Interim Director of Learning;

(c)        Extended School Programme and Links with Youth and Community Services – presented by Mr G Cooke Deputy Cabinet Member representing Mrs SV Hohler Cabinet Member and supported by Mr M Baker, interim director of Learning, Mr s Carter, Extended Services Lead Manager and Mr N Baker Head of Kent Youth Services;

(d)       How the Young People of Kent Can interact with and help Older People of the County and Conversely How older citizens of Kent can interact with and help young citizens -  the proposer Mr R J Parry and Mr Angell Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care presented this proposal;

(e)       The Impact of the slowdown of existing, and absence of new Developer Contributions on the Kent Economy and Regeneration in Kent - The proposer for this Topic Review Mr M Snelling was unable to be present. Ms B Cooper, Director of Economic Development, Mr N Smith, Head of Development Investment and Mr P Campion Development Contributions Manager were present to answer questions from members of the Committee;

(f)                 Safeguarding and Adult Protection – the proposer of this review was no longer a Member of the County Council. Mr Angell was in attendance to answer Members questions;

(g)               Skills Shortage and help for Finding  work Opportunities during difficult Times – the proposer of the review Mr R Burgess presented his bid and Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

(1)               The Committee had before them a report and proposed protocol setting out a process for the Councillor Call for Action which became law on 1 April 2009.

(2)       The Committee noted that the Councillor Call for Action went beyond the existing power Members had to raise issues for Scrutiny as it provided a mechanism whereby all Members of the Council can call for a debate and discussion at an overview and scrutiny committee a topic of neighbourhood concern.

(3)       The Committee noted that this was a mechanism which could only be used when a Member demonstrated that he/she had exhausted all other mechanisms to achieve a satisfactory resolution.

(4)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the draft protocol for a Councillor Call for Action be endorsed :and

(b)       the Head of Democratic Services and Local Leadership be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and the Chairman of the Selection and Member Services Committee to agree the protocol and any consequential amendments to the Constitution for submission to the County Council for approval on 10 December 2009

(1)       The Committee had before them a report which had been considered by the Selection and Members Services Committee on 13 October 2009 setting out a revised Policy Framework for the approval of the County Council on 10 December 2009.

(2)       The Overview Scrutiny and Localism Manager reported that the Selection and Member Services Committee had indicated that they were content with the revised Policy Framework.

(3)       RESOLVED that the Committee endorse the Policy Framework for submission to the County Council