Agenda and minutes

To note that Mr D A Hirst (Chairman of the Environment, Highways and Waste Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee) and Mr L B Ridings (Chairman of the Education, Learning and Skills Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee) have replaced Mr Kit Smith and Mr C Hibbard as Members of this Board.  Mr R F Manning as also been added to the Membership of this Board.

It was noted that Mr D A Hirst (Chairman of Environment, Highways and Waste Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee), Mr L B Ridings, MBE (Chairman of the Education, Learning and Skills Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee) and Mr R F Manning were now Members of this Board.   

Mrs T Dean was elected Vice-Chairman of the Board.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2011 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(1)       The Chairman introduced a report which set out the emerging legislative framework and the opportunities for strengthening, enhancing and improving the Overview and Scrutiny Process.

(2)       In response to a question, Mr Sass confirmed that officers networked with colleagues at a regional and national level and if any innovative overview and scrutiny practise was discovered which was not already being undertaken by KCC, it would be drawn it to the attention of this Board.

(3)       The majority of the matters included in the report had been raised at the informal meeting with the Leader on 1 February 2011.  Members made general comments on the report which included the following:-

• It was suggested that there should be an opportunity for Members to consider the proposal in the Localism and Devolution Bill for Councils to revert to a Committee System.  It was confirmed that any Member could ask for a time limited debate on this subject at County Council. 
• Regarding Members input into the decision making process, it was important that Chairmen seek to incorporate items from the Forward Plan on their agendas at an appropriate time.  Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s (POSCs) should have the opportunity to input into the decision making process at an early stage.
• There was a role for POSCs in carrying out “pre scrutiny” i.e. having a constructive input into decisions making at an early stage. Concern was expressed that there was limited opportunities for POSC’s to scrutinise decisions in time to influence them.  On some occasions the POSC had not had the opportunity to carry out any pre-scrutiny and therefore the decision had been called into Cabinet Scrutiny Committee.
• Chairmen had a role to ensure that their agendas were interesting and did not contain reports for information and noting.  This was something that needed to be strengthened through agenda setting meetings.  It was important at these meetings for senior managers to tell Members what the key issues are for the coming 6 months and how the POSC could have an input.
• Members of Overview and Scrutiny Committees (especially Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Spokesmen) had a major role to play which some Cabinet Member and Officers may not fully recognise.  The importance of constructive challenge should be recognised.  Without constructive challenge the first test of a policy could be when it is implemented and impacted on the public. 
• In order to carry out the scrutiny role effectively Members should make sure that they had the information that they needed.
• A close rapport between POSC Chairmen and their Cabinet Member(s) was important.  Officers and all Members were a team working for the people of Kent. 
• A Member suggested that there should be a document that set out the remit of the POSC’s. 
• It was agreed that there was no reason why a Member who was not a Member of a specific POSC should not come along to the meeting and ask a question with the approval of the relevant Chairman. 
• Chairmen would find it useful  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

(1)       Mr Sass introduced a report which updated the Board on the current Select Committee topic review programme.

(2)       RESOLVED that the progress of the Select Committees on Educational Attainment at Key Stage 2, Dementia and the Student Journey be noted.

(1)       Mr Christie mentioned the importance of making sure that full papers on which a decisions was based were made available to Members so that they could make an informed decision on whether they wish to call-in a decision for Scrutiny.

(2)       Mr Chard mentioned the meeting of HOSC chairmen in the South East which he was attended and suggested that POSC chairmen should take advantage of any opportunities to network with their colleagues from other authorities.