Agenda item

To consider the forthcoming work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

10.1           Attention was drawn to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2016/17, circulated at Pages No. 20-27, which Members were asked to consider.

10.2           A Member indicated that there had been a number of issues raised at the last meeting as a result of the review of Ubico and he questioned when a full report would be brought to the Committee.  The Deputy Chief Executive explained that a report on enviro-crimes would be brought to the next meeting on 19 July 2016 and would include information regarding fly-tipping.  A separate report on grounds maintenance would be brought to the meeting on 18 October 2016.

10.3           With regard to the pending items, the Corporate Services Group Manager advised that he was awaiting a response from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue as to when they would be able to give a presentation to the Committee.  In terms of the presentation from Severn Vale Housing which had been requested by Members during the review of the effectiveness of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, he sought a further steer from Members as to their specific concerns so he could approach the appropriate person within the organisation.  A Member indicated that Severn Vale had recently undergone significant changes in terms of its operation and it may be beneficial for Members to learn more about the new structure. The Deputy Chief Executive advised that Severn Vale was keen to raise its profile and understand Member issues.  She had attended a meeting earlier that afternoon where an open afternoon had been discussed with the intention of informing Members about the new operating model.  She suggested that the most beneficial approach would be for Members to attend the open afternoon and, if there were any specific issues arising, Severn Vale could be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee. 

10.4           It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had asked to consider the Financial Inclusion Policy prior to the Executive Committee and this was currently included as a pending item.  The Chief Executive indicated that financial inclusion was a very important part of the Council’s work which impacted upon the way in which it supported its residents and how it worked with partners to provide that support.  It had potential to make a really big difference to people’s lives in terms of making them more economically viable and successful in order for them to make a better contribution to the community.  As discussed under the previous item, the Financial Inclusion Policy had been removed from the Executive Committee Forward Plan, however, given the importance of the subject it would be appropriate for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to have a presentation on financial inclusion in order to understand the work which had been undertaken to date and provide an opportunity to ask questions.  A Member felt that a standalone seminar would be preferable to an Agenda Item so that all Members could be invited to attend and another Member indicated that other partners should also be invited.

10.5           It was

RESOLVED          1.   That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2016/17 be NOTED.

2.   That Members be invited to attend an open afternoon at Severn Vale Housing Society in order to learn about the new operating model and, should any specific issues arise, the appropriate representative from Severn Vale be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee.

3.   That a Financial Inclusion Seminar be arranged for all Members with relevant partners also being invited to attend.