| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| OS 12/018 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| OS 12/019 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 March 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| OS 12/020 |
Co-option to the Committee Pursuant to Article 6.05 of the Constitution |
RESOLVED: That pursuant to Article 6.05 of the Council's Constitution, Dr G Court, Mr P Drury, Mr D Still and Mr D Thornewell be co-opted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the current municipal year. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| OS 12/021 |
Children's Occupational Therapy Assessments |
Further to Minute OS 12/015, the report of the Director of Health and Housing reviewed the history of waiting times for Children's Occupational Therapy assessments and provided a comparison of waiting times across West Kent authorities. Recommendations were made on how the recent improvement in waiting times could be maintained. Rosemary Hen-McCrae, County Manager for Disabled Children and County Councillor Jenny Whittle, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, attended the meeting to provide an update on the ongoing service improvement and answer Members' questions. The Committee welcomed the significant improvement in waiting times and numbers of children waiting, the introduction of a 28 day target for an initial assessment and the permanent Occupational Therapy staff in place in the Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells area. The Chairman then thanked the County Council representatives for their commitment and contribution to the meeting. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the significant progress made by Kent County Council in reducing the waiting list and times for Children's Occupational Therapy Assessments be noted; (2) the close working relationship between Kent County Council, Russet Homes and the Borough Council in progressing childen's adaptation schemes be recognised; and (3) the need to maintain monitoring of service performance through regular reports to the Strategic Housing Advisory Board be agreed. |
| DECISIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE | ||
| OS 12/022 |
Scoping Report - Review of Parking Management and Enforcement |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure set out the proposed scope and terms of the forthcoming Scrutiny Review of the Parking Management and Enforcement service to be undertaken via a review group drawn from Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The report outlined the distinctions between off-street and on-street parking, the Council's parking policy and the tensions relating to parking enforcement. The Committee considered a list of key issues for inclusion in the review and made a number of further suggestions which were noted by the officers. These included an assessment of the respective frequencies of enforcement patrolling in Tonbridge and the remainder of the Borough; possible use of CCTV in parking enforcement; and division of responsibilities between the Borough Council and the Police in respect of parking on pavements. With regard to the latter and problems associated with the parking of large commercial vehicles, it was suggested that the Parish Partnership Panel might be an appropriate forum for exploring problems across the Borough with the Police and obtaining a co-ordinated response. It was noted that some parking issues of major concern were also referred to the Police via the Community Safety Unit. RESOLVED: That the terms of the review, as set out in paragraph 8.1.1 of the report, together with the additional issues raised by Members be approved. |
| OS 12/023 |
Scrutiny Reviews - Work Programme |
The report of the Chief Executive set out proposals for the development of a future work programme of topics to be reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. A suggested process was considered for undertaking the two current reviews in respect of Parking Management Enforcement and the value for money studies being undertaken by the Council's Internal Audit Section. It was accordingly agreed that two review groups be established, each chaired by one of the Committee's Vice-Chairmen and be progressed in parallel. Members requested that the Joint Employee Consultative Committee be involved in the review of staff mileage rates. A number of suggestions regarding the review work programme for 2013 were circulated at the meeting and it was proposed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen would consider the list with a view to identifying five or six topics to be taken forward. A report on the programme would be made to the next meeting in January 2013. RESOLVED: That the approach to forthcoming scrutiny reviews and the development of a longer term work programme, as set out in the report, be endorsed. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| OS 12/024 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
There were no items considered in private. |