Agenda item

(1)       The Overview and Scrutiny Manager submitted a report updating the Committee on the current Topic Reviews and set out priorities for the Work Programme for the period Autumn 2007 to Spring 2008 and the resources available to deliver the Work Programme.

(2)       The report set out details of the recently completed Topic Reviews and the two current Topic Reviews, Alcohol Misuse and Support of Carers in Kent. 

(3)       Members were reminded that at their February meeting they agreed that the  following topics should be given further consideration for inclusion in the work programme at this meeting:-

(a)       Accessing Democracy;

(b)       Developing the creative curriculum;

(c)        Young people’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development, value-based education and behaviour;

(d)       Consultation and participation with children and young people (student voice);

(e)       Provision of activities for young people;

(f)         Supermarkets and outer town shopping malls/retail parks on businesses in Kent.

(4)       In relation to the Accessing Democracy proposed topic review, the Overview and Scrutiny Manager had met with Mrs Angell who had originally proposed this topic to consider how the County engages with hard to reach groups.  This was a key area of activity where the County Council would need to demonstrate for the Corporate Performance Assessment that it had evidence to show that it did effectively engage with all members of society.  Therefore it might be timely to establish a Select Committee  relating to how the Council engages hard to reach groups in the Autumn.

(5)       The report also included two new potential items for inclusion in the Work Programme.  These were:-

(a)       Vulnerable children; and

(b)       Flood risks

(6)       In relation to the NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the report set out potential new items for inclusion in the Select Committee Work Programme.  A consultation document on the review of Health Services across Kent and Medway known as ‘Fit for the Future’ was due to be launched early in July.  A possible subject for Select Committee within the NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee area was Access to Health Care, which would include proposals likely to arise from the Fit for the Future review.   This would be another piece of work that would be of value to the County Council and other partner organisations.  This proposal was fully supported by the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Health, Mr G Gibbens.

(7)       The Overview and Scrutiny Manager set out the resources available to deliver the Work Programme which were 1.5 full time Research Officer in addition to the dedicated Research Officer for the NHS.  The Committee were informed that the 6 monthly training post from the Graduate Development Programme would cease at the September 2007 because of budgetary constraints.  This would mean that there was no guarantee that a trainee would automatically be placed with the Overview and Scrutiny Team although it was well recognised across the County Council that the opportunity to work on a Select Committee was an excellent placement opportunity. 

(8)       The Chairman informed the Committee that the Accessing Democracy and Vulnerable Children proposed Select Committees could start their work in the Autumn subject to the approval of this Committee.  In relation to the proposal for a Select Committee on Developing the Creative Curriculum, due to other work going on within the Directorate, they would prefer this topic to come forward in 2008. 

(9)       The Chairman referred to a new proposal for a Select Committee on Flood Risk.  Since the report had been prepared, there had been the opportunity for the extension of the secondment of one of the Research Officers.  She was available to start work straight away on a short Select Committee with the aim of having completed the work by the time her extended secondment finished at the end of September. 

(10)     There was general support cross-party for carrying out a short piece of work on Flood Risk and Members discussed possible aspects that could be included within the Terms of Reference which included looking at Managed Retreat and the Impact on the Coastline and two new Shoreline Management Plans that had recently been published.  It was also suggested that in relation to the Developing the Creative Curriculum, consideration should be given to whether aspects of other proposed topic reviews such as SMSC could also be included within this.

(11)     The Chairman also welcomed suggestions for other Topic Reviews which could be put forward to the next meeting of the Policy Overview Co-ordinating Committee for consideration for inclusion in the work programme.

(13)     Regarding the proposal for a Select Committee on the Impact of Supermarkets and Shopping Malls, Members felt that they needed a much clearer idea of any potential alternative reference before they agreed to programme this Select Committee.  The proposer of this Select Committee agreed to withdraw this proposal.

(14)     In response to a question on the monitoring of Select Committee recommendations, the Committee were informed that there was an agreed protocol, agreed by the County Council in March 2006.  Members stated that they would like those Select Committees that had not been through this monitoring process to do so. Also they would like feedback from Select Committees, following their monitoring meeting, to be reported back to Policy Overview Co-ordinating Committee as well as the parent Policy Overview Committee to assist with the identification of possible future topic reviews.

(15)     RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the progress of the two Select Committee Topic Reviews which are currently under way, Support for Carers in Kent and Alcohol Misuse be noted;

(b)       the Work Programme for Autumn 2007 to Spring 2008 to be started as soon as resources become available should be as follows:

(i)         Accessing Democracy

(ii)        Vulnerable Children

(c)        a Select Committee on Flood Risk be established which would aim to complete its work by the end of September 2007.

(d)       the meeting of the Policy Overview Co-ordinating Committee on 27 September 2007 consider an update report on the following suggested topics for Select Committee Reviews and consider which to include in the next phase of the Work Programme:-

(i)         Developing the Creative Curriculum

(ii)        Young People’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) Development, Values Based Educational Behaviour

(iii)       Consultation and Participation with Young People (Student Voice)

(iv)       Provision of Activities for Young People

(e)       the proposed Select Committee Topic Review of Impact of Supermarket and Out of Town Shopping Malls/Retail Parks on Businesses in Kent be deleted from the work programme.

(f)           a NHS Overview and Scrutiny Topic Review on Access to Health Care be  established when resources become available.

  (g)        the suggestions in relation to the monitoring of Select Committee         recommendations be pursued