Agenda and minutes

1.      The Chairman introduced the item and explained that the meeting had been convened to discuss the call-in of Decision number 13/00088 – New Combined Member Grant Scheme. 

2.      Mr Brazier and Mr Hill were present at the meeting to answer Members’ questions and Mr Baldock queried whether it would be possible for them to be accountable for the decision given they were not the decision takers.  Ms Taylor explained that this decision had been taken by the Leader because it was a joint decision that fell across Mr Brazier’s and Mr Hill’s portfolio and both Cabinet Members were able to answer Members’ questions. 

3.      Mrs Dean queried the decision being a revision of a previous decision, and whether it had been published on the list of Forthcoming Executive Decisions. 

4.      In response to Mrs Dean’s queries Mrs Whitaker explained that because the decision was taken on 24 January it would not have appeared on the 27 January Forthcoming Executive Decisions list.  The decision was published from July 2013, it was revised in December 2013, it was clear that the decision was the combined review.  Ms Whitaker would discuss Mrs Dean’s further queries outside of the Scrutiny Committee meeting. 

5.      Mr Caller explained his reasons behind the call-in, one of which was that that the Leader had not been present at the Cabinet Committees at which the decision had previously been discussed.  Mr Caller was disappointed that the Leader had not been available at the Scrutiny meeting, this view was echoed by some other members of the Committee.  The Chairman advanced his opinion that via close liaison with the Leader both Cabinet Members had come to the meeting fully briefed and able to answer Members’ questions.           

6.      Mr Baldock proposed that the meeting be postponed and reconvened on another date, this was seconded by Mr Hoare, however Mr Cowan suggested that the meeting continue because County council was being held on Thursday 13 February and it was important for this issue to be debated.  Mr Baldock subsequently withdrew his proposal and the Chairman confirmed that the meeting would continue. 

7.      Mr Hill explained that this review began within the Customer and Communities Service Medium Term Plan which was required to make savings, along with all other services within the Council.  The Combined Members Grant Scheme was to combine the three Member Grants with the Member Highway Fund to create a single Member Grant of £25,000.   This would be flexible and could be spent on highways or community projects at the members’ discretion.  Mr Hill’s view was that there were lots of benefits, not only financial in the form of essential savings, but in the flexibility of the scheme.

8.      Mr Caller explained that one of the reasons behind his call-in of this decision was because it affected the wider members of the Council who had not had the opportunity to put their views forward.   Mr Caller explained that the change in the Members Grant was putting upward pressure on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.