Agenda and minutes

No declarations were made.

Apologies were received from Councillors Bradford and Callan.

4:05 – 4:25pm

Councillor Flood, the lead member on the Leisure, Sport and Cultural Activities project group presented to the committee a progress report on the group’s work so far with further recommendations. The Executive Member for Leisure and the Sports and Leisure Manager also attended.

The Executive Member for Leisure noted that the project group and its work had been an excellent example of how Scrutiny can positively improve the implementation of projects and that it was an excellent example of best practice for Scrutiny work. The Executive member also praised the project group on the thoroughness of how it had consulted with all stakeholders involved in the building of the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

The Sports and Leisure Manager also noted how effectively and constructively Scrutiny members had worked on the Leisure, Sport and Cultural Activities project group in working with officers and other stakeholders, and that the group had provided a great example of Scrutiny by adding value to a project and its implementation.

The lead member of the project group, Councillor Flood advised that due to the length of time since an update was last provided to the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, and with many members due to retire it was a good time to present a progress report on the project group’s progress so far. The report summarised the work of the Leisure, Sport and Culture Activities Project Group to date, identified on-going issues for further consideration in 2015/16 and sought approval for the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee of the Group’s proposed continuing work in 2015/16.

Councillor Flood commended the excellent work of the Sports and Leisure Manager, Morgan Sindall, the Executive Member for Leisure, project group members and Committee and Scrutiny Coordinator, Brian Offiler on their excellent work in making the project group and their work a success. The Sports and Leisure Manager also noted that the project group assisted in keeping officers focused on the delivery of the project and that the project group had also facilitated effective communication between members and officers.

Members noted that by having Scrutiny involvement from the start of a project, rather than by looking at a project retrospectively had been a productive way of working and that it had enabled members to be involved and impacting in the implementation of projects, rather than just reviewing how a project had been implemented. 

Members thanked Councillor Flood for presenting the report and the Executive Member for Leisure and the Sports and Leisure Manager for attending.

RESOLVED –

1.   To approve the on-going work of the Project Group in respect of:

·        The continuing monitoring of the construction, transfer to and the operation of the new leisure centre facilities; and

·        the development of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Strategy as detailed in the proposed scope document attached at Appendix B of the report.

2.   That when monitoring the implementation of previous recommendations in respect of the Playing Pitches, the Parks and Open Spaces and the Sports Facilities strategies, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

4:25 – 4:30pm

The Forward Plan was considered. There had been no Notices of Urgent Decisions published since the last meeting.

Regarding key decision 504 on the Housing Allocations Policy report scheduled for Cabinet on 21 April, it was asked why the report had not been brought to this meeting as scheduled in the committee’s work programme.  It was reported the Housing Manager had explained there was no new information that warranted a further report to scrutiny following the consultation on the proposed policy changes, and the Chair had agreed the item not be included on the agenda.

RESOLVED -

1.   That the Forward Plan be noted.

2.   That a progress report on the new Housing Allocations Policy be requested and circulated to members.

4:30 – 4:45pm

The Committee considered a progress report on the implementation of Cabinet approved Scrutiny recommendations, from the Leisure Sport and Cultural Activities project group, reference EW5 on the monitoring form.

Regarding those same recommendations, the report also provided options for monitoring programme management, as it was considered the monitoring of their implementation crossed the remits of this committee  the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee, and possibly the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum.  It was also reported that the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum had a work allocation co-ordination role and may have a view.

The Committee noted that items reference EW5(d) and EW4 on the monitoring form were due for progress reports at the June meeting; and that items reference EW3 and EW2 were due for progress reports at the July meeting.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the overall monitoring programme be agreed.

2.   That items scheduled for progress reports to the June and July meetings be noted, pending possible cancellation of the June meeting.  

3.   That the progress report in relation to Leisure Services be noted.

4.   That the matter of monitoring remits in relation to the Leisure Sport and Cultural Activities project group reference EW5, be referred to the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum for a view.

4:45 – 4:50pm

The Policy and Scrutiny Officer advised that the corporate review of Overview and Scrutiny was progressing.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

4:50 – 4:55pm

The Committee considered its Work Programme and those items programmed for its next meeting.  It was noted there were currently meetings scheduled for both June and July and items due for monitoring were scheduled for both meetings. 

Also reported were recommendations from the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum held 19 March, for the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee to consider appointing project groups in relation to developing the town centre, and increasing the supply and quality of housing.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the Work Programme be agreed.

2.   That the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum’s recommendations be noted for further consideration at the next meeting.

3.   That a progress report on the Careline Consortium be requested and circulated to members.

4.   That the Policy and Scrutiny Officer contacts the Housing Services Manager, Customer division regarding the scheduling of the report on the Careline Consortium to determine whether this item should be on the agenda for the June meeting of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.

5.   That the Chair be requested in consultation with the Policy and Scrutiny Officer, to determine the business agenda for the next meeting of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and whether the 2 June meeting should be cancelled.

4:55 – 5pm

The Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 5 February, 2015 were presented. The Chair also thanked retiring members for their contribution to the work of the Committee.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.