| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| OS 12/010 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| OS 12/011 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 10 January 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| OS 12/012 |
Council's Key Priorities for 2012/15 |
The joint report of the Leader and Chief Executive proposed a revised set of key priorities for 2012/15, taking account of reduced resources for the foreseeable future in the context of the national budget strategy and pressures on public finances. It was noted that the reference to 'key priorities' reflected the need for realism in the light of the very difficult financial situation for the foreseeable future. In particular, the first priority listed was essentially about safeguarding what mattered most rather than improvement. Its achievement was designed to help preserve the resources needed for the other key priorities. The Central Services Director reported that the proposed priorities had been drafted in light of the budget recently set and reflected the key aims and overall ambition of the Borough Council. The extent and pace of delivery would be judged according to the circumstances prevalent at the time. In addition, the priorities and process would be monitored and reviewed by Management Team and Members at regular intervals. Careful consideration was given to the key priorities set out in paragraph 1.2.1 of the report and Officers were asked to reflect on whether a minor amendment was necessary in the priority on children and young people. Members also welcomed the reference to working with a range of partners and local communities towards achieving the key priorities. RECOMMENDED: That the revised set of seven key priorities, set out at paragraph 1.2.1 of the report, be endorsed, subject to the minor amendment set out above being considered. |
| OS 12/013 |
West Kent Equality Partnership Aims and Commitments 2012-16 |
Consideration was given to the aims and commitments of the West Kent Equality Partnership as set out in the joint report of the Chief Executive and Cabinet Member for Communities. The West Kent Equality Partnership had developed a joint response to the requirement to publish equality objectives intended to support improved partnership working and to allow authorities to report shared outcomes against common objectives. The West Kent Equality Partnership Aims and Commitments 2012/16 were attached at Annex 1 to the report. These had been informed and developed by officers from all three authorities and aimed to support and strengthen the corporate priorities within each organisation. RECOMMENDED: That the West Kent Equality Partnership Aims and Commitments 2012/16 be approved. |
| OS 12/014 |
Scrutiny Review of Planning Enforcement |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure reported on the conclusions of the review carried out via the Scrutiny Panel. Recommendations for action on planning enforcement procedures were also put forward. Members noted that in light of the review work carried out so far a number of changes of practice had been initiated and these were set out in paragraph 1.2.1 of Annex 1 to the report. The Scrutiny Panel had suggested a number of additional areas where further change or representations might usefully be made and these were set out in paragraph 1.4.4 of the report. Members welcomed the intention of publishing a document summarising the legal requirements regarding a planning enforcement investigation through Here and Now and on the Council's website. In addition, the information set out in Annex B regarding priority ranking would also be published. In response to a question regarding the lack of information on enforcement action over a weekend or Bank Holiday period, Members were advised that current evidence did not demonstrate that this was needed although this would be reviewed if a persistent pattern emerged. In addition, Members were reminded that the vast majority of incursion issues were not susceptible to an immediate resolution. The Central Services Director reassured Members that there was a formal procedure in place to handle any type of emergency and that a senior member of Management Team was always ‘on call'. Members accepted that enforcement action should always depend upon the individual case in question. RECOMMENDED: That the matters raised through the Scrutiny Panel meetings, as previously reported, and supplemented by the matters set out at 1.4.4 of the report be endorsed and implemented. |
| DECISIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE | ||
| OS 12/015 |
Children's Occupational Therapy Assessments - Scoping Report |
The report of the Director of Health and Housing set out the terms of review of children's occupational therapy (OT)assessments. It was noted that the key issues for review were to consider the history of the waiting times for children's OT assessment since May 2009; to compare the waiting times for children's OT assessments in Tonbridge and Malling with other West Kent local authorities; to assess the prospect of recent service improvements being sustainable into the foreseeable future and to agree a way forward with Kent County Council in terms of assessment targets and levels of resources to meet the targets. Members welcomed the review into this significant issue and acknowledged the improvements made by Kent County Council. RESOLVED: That the key issues for the review of children's occupational therapy assessments and review process as outlined in the report be endorsed. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| OS 12/016 |
Appointments to Outside Bodies |
The Central Services Director was pleased to report that positive progress regarding the potential liability of Members when serving on an outside body continued to be made. Further guidance had been received from the insurers late on the day of the meeting and the Central Services Director suggested that this item be deferred to allow more comprehensive information to be provided at the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Members supported this approach but asked that consideration be given to the position of trustees and non-elected members serving on outside bodies. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| OS 12/017 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
There were no items considered in private. |