Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 23 January 2014.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 23 January 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest or disclosures of advice or directions made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a presentation by the Executive member for Public Protection on the performance of services within the Public Protection portfolio over the last year and on future plans.

The Board received a presentation from the Executive Member for Public Protection on the performance of services within the Public Protection portfolio over the last year and on future plans. The presentation included details of the areas of work undertaken within the portfolio: Environmental Health; Air Quality and Pollution; Contaminated Land; Dog Control; Pest Control; Health and Safety; Community Safety; Emergency Planning; Enforcement (litter, fly-tipping, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, unauthorised encampments); Car Parks and Parking Enforcement; Traffic Management (Traffic Regulation Orders); Building Control Partnership; examples of the type of duties carried out within those areas of work; and the new departments within which these services would operate following the imminent departmental reorganisation.

The Executive member for Public Protection and the Director of Regulatory and Democratic Services answered members’ questions concerning the presentation.

Printed copies of the presentation slides, together with additional information about the Public Protection Portfolio (Executive Functions) were circulated to those present.

It was AGREED that the Executive Member for Public Protection be thanked for his presentation.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources, which invites members to review the Board’s work programme for 2013/14 and to consider a draft programme for 2014/15.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources, reviewed the Board's work programme for 2013/14 and considered a draft programme for 2014/15.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)       the outcome of the Scrutiny Board work programme for 2013/14, as shown in Appendix A to the report, be noted;

(b)       the Council be informed that the Board considers that the call-in procedure is operating satisfactorily and that there are no reasons to suggest that the arrangements should be amended for 2013/14;

(c)       the provisional work programme for 2014/15, as shown in Appendix B to the report, be approved; and

(d)       the provisional work programme for 2014/15, attached to these minutes as Appendix A, be submitted to the Council for approval.

If requested by a member, to consider any item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Board. The relevant Executive meetings are 10 February 2014 and 3 March 2014. (This will also include any decisions taken by individual Executive members during the same time period.)

The Chairman invited members to indicate if they wished to consider any other item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Board. There were no other items of Executive business considered.

The Chairman made an announcement concerning the retirement of the Director of Regulatory and Democratic Services, Garry White, thanking him on behalf of the Board for all his help and support during his many years’ service.

APPENDIX A

                                   SCRUTINY BOARD –WORK PROGRAMME 2014/15              

Items to be assigned:

• Scoping Report on question and answer session with Solent Local Enterprise Partnership

• Question and answer session with Solent Local Enterprise Partnership
• Review of the implementation of the universal credit system and its impact on the residents of Fareham
• Minutes of meetings of the Portchester Crematorium Joint Committee (as appropriate)