Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels.

Noted the Overview and Scrutiny Panels’ comments on the Council’s performance against the targets within the Corporate Plan. The use of expenditure on employing external consultants has been referred back to the Corporate Plan Working Group for further review. Noted that contributions from opposition groups, all Members, employees, local businesses and the public has been and currently were being sought in identifying financial savings for the Council. Noted that a review the Council’s priorities, aims and objectives will be undertaken to prepare budgets for 2011/12 and future years with the Corporate Plan Working Group and Overview and Scrutiny Panels involved in the review process.

(Councillors J D Ablewhite, S J Criswell and P M D Godfrey, Chairmen of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels for Economic Well-Being, Social Well-Being and Environmental Well-Being respectively were in attendance for consideration of this item).

Pursuant to Minute No. 10/36, the Cabinet reconsidered a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels outlining their deliberations and proposals in response to the report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships on the Council’s performance against its priority objectives.

The Chairmen of the Panels were provided with an opportunity to present the conclusions reached within their report and in so doing referred to comments of the Corporate Plan Working Group concerning expenditure on the employment of external consultants and the need to address the strategic and future direction and development of the Council. The Cabinet noted that a review of the Council’s policy framework and performance management systems were underway to take account of Government announcements on the national performance arrangements. It was intended that the review would incorporate measures to improve the understanding and transparency of the Council’s performance and activities. It was noted also that the Redundancy Policy and Voluntary Release Scheme recently adopted by the Employment Panel contained clear guidance on the criteria to be used in determining proposals or applications for the release of employees.

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Panels’ comments as part of its deliberations on the report by the Head of People, Performance and  Partnerships be noted;

(b)  that use of expenditure on employing external consultants be referred back to the Corporate Plan Working Group for further review, including the criteria used in the appointment of and an assessment of the cost and value of using consultants;

(c)  that contributions from opposition groups, all Members, employees, local businesses and the public had been and were being sought in identifying financial savings; and

(d)  that a review the Council’s priorities, aims and objectives and consequent service provision and levels was underway generally and specifically in terms of the work being undertaken to prepare budgets for 2011/12 and future years and that this review would involve the Corporate Plan Working Group, the Overview and Scrutiny Panels and take account of the views expressed during consultation exercises.