To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008 (including whipping declarations)

None.

The Corporate Director – Operational and Partnership Services submitted a report, the purpose of which, was to present the items due to be considered at the Committee’s next meeting which is provisionally scheduled for 18 June 2018, and seek confirmation of the information required for the subsequent provisionally scheduled meeting set for 26 July 2018. Also, the report presented a list of responses to comments, recommendations and requests for additional information from the previous meeting of this Committee, and finally to present a list of potential Forward Work programme items for formal prioritisation and allocation to each of the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Feedback from the last meeting of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as requested by Members was attached at Appendix A to the report, while Appendix B to the report detailed the Corporate O&SC Forward Work Programme.

The Scrutiny Officer referred Members to items prioritised and delegated to the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committees for May/June and July 2018, that were contained in Appendix C to the report.

Arising from discussions that ensued on the content of the report, it was

RESOLVED:     The Committee agreed with the contents of the report and attached Appendices, subject to the following:-

·                      That the performance of and working relationship between Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and Bridgend County Borough Council be added to the FWP.  In the first instance, Members requested to receive the feedback and conclusions of the meetings that have previously discussed this topic, to determine whether there is justification to add such item(s) to the FWP.

  Chase-up a date for the closed meeting where the item of Waste was on the agenda, to enable Members to have sight of the un-redacted Contract (for Waste). Members also highlighted the need to allocate the Waste Services item to a date of a future meeting, in order to allow invitations to be sent out to Kier in order to provide them with as much notice of the meeting date as possible, in order that they may adequately be able to arrange for a representative from the Company to attend the meeting.

Invitees

Cllr Huw David Leader;

Cllr Hywel Williams Deputy Leader;

Darren Mepham, Chief Executive;

Mark Shephard, Corporate Director Communities;

Gill Lewis, Interim Head of Finance;

Cllr Peter Fox Leader from Monmouthshire Council;

The Chief Executive submitted a report, in response to the Committee requesting that a report be submitted to today’s meeting on the topic of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.

The Chairperson advised Members that Councillor Peter Fox, Monmouthshire County Council an Invitee for today’s meeting, could not attend today’s meeting, whilst the Chief Executive could only attend the meeting for around half hour or so, as he had an urgent appointment that he had to attend.

Members expressed their concerns regarding this, as they felt that both the Invitees needed to be in attendance together with the other key Invitees, in order that they could respond to questions of Members, on what was a very important and multi million pound project.

In view of this Members by way of a unanimous vote, agreed with the following courses of action:-

Recommendations:

·        The Committee agreed that the City Deal item  be deferred to a future Committee meeting,  which will ensure an appropriate level of attendance at that meeting by Invitees, in order to ensure that sufficient time is allocated to the item, and for Members questions at the meeting to be asked and fully responded to. Members felt this crucial in view of the level of importance of the topic.  

Members of the Committee further requested that a letter be sent to the Chief Executive, formally highlighting their disappointment on learning of the reduced attendance of Invitees at the meeting.

The Interim Corporate Director – Education and Family Support, submitted an Information report that advised Members of the activities planned for the Festival of Learning, and the proposed objectives and outcomes that come from that.

The Chairperson advised that it would be beneficial in the future, on the basis of the inaugural event being successful, to involve local businesses in order to secure increased support for the event going forward. This would be two-way, in that the Council would also ascertain what local businesses require from the Authority in terms of learning.

A Member felt that the report was of sufficient importance for it to be more than just an Information report, and that the Interim Corporate Director – Education and Family Support, should be invited to a future meeting, in order to respond to questions on the success or otherwise of the project.

The Chairperson agreed to this, adding that it would be beneficial for Members to have sight of certain statistical information on the success (or otherwise) of the project.

A Member further added that a large sum of money had been committed to the project, so therefore outcomes from it should be the subject of evaluation. Referring to paragraph 4.4 of the report, the Member noted that 120 pupils from different schools would be involved in the pre-Festival of Learning activities, and she hoped that there would be a contrast of pupils in term of their selection ie including from disadvantaged families etc. She added however, that this amount formed only around 1% of the student population. She had some reservations as to what clear outcomes, aims, achievements and objectives would come from the project, other than those of good practice.

The Scrutiny Officer advised that as Members may be aware, BREP had also made certain recommendations in respect of the Festival of Learning Initiative, and that a response to these was being awaited from the Interim Corporate Director – Education and Family Support. 

A Member of BREP added that this body were also keen for the Interim Corporate Director – Education and Family Support, to look at sponsorship initiatives for the future support of the Festival of Learning should it be agreed to continue with the project in future years.

A Member also made the point that the financial implications of the project needed to be more clearly set out.

Conclusions:

• Members referred to the recommendations made by the Budget Research and Evaluation Panel (BREP) in relation to this item and the Committee queried whether the Directorate had been successful in securing any sponsorship from local businesses for the event, as there was no reference provided within the finance section of the report. 

• The Committee also emphasised the importance of local businesses involvement in the event to provide greater clarity regarding what skills are required by employers to ensure future students employability.

• Again, with reference to the recommendation made by BREP regarding the need for schools to select a broad range of pupil representation to partake  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

The Corporate Director – Operational and Partnership Services submitted an Information report, the purpose of which, was to present the Committee with an annual update on the work of the Central South Consortium (CSC) Collaborative Scrutiny Group.

The Scrutiny Officer outlined the report, which commenced with some background information on how the Working Group had been established, including its role and remit.

The Working Group supported the Central South Consortium Joint Committee, a body which was accountable to its participating local authorities, ie Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s, with the CSC being responsible on their behalf for school improvement.

As a result of the above, last year a Collaborative Working Group was introduced, with each Council involved in this approving its establishment as well as its Terms of Reference. The Group would consider issues such as the following standing items:-

1. The Consortium’s progress against  its 3-year business plan on a regional basis;
2. Regional performance trends;
3. Sharing best scrutiny practice across the region

She continued by advising that through detailed consideration, the Group had also identified some regional topics that they deemed were worth consideration, and these had therefore been added to the Group’s Forward Work Programme attached to the report for information at Appendix A for information purposes.

The report also highlighted, that the Consortia across all of Wales were also looking to work together, in order to establish an agreed Work Plan, with a view to sharing best practice.

Conclusions:

·       That the report be noted.

The Committee further noted that meetings of the Central South Consortium Collaborative Scrutiny Group usually coincide with scheduled meetings of Council, and due to this, requested that this is taken into consideration when arranging its future meetings.  

To consider any item(s) of business in respect of which notice has been given in

accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

None.