The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services submitted a report to Council which provided details of the new Overview and Scrutiny Committee Structure, Terms of Reference and its processes. 

He advised Members that the new Overview and Scrutiny Structure would be kept under review and any issues and outcomes would be identified in the Scrutiny Annual Report  2018.  The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services explained to Members the new membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and that it would continue to reflect the political balance of the Authority, the Forward Work planning procedures and annual Budget Consultation Process and how the Call in and pre-decision Scrutiny would work for the new Overview and Scrutiny Structure. 

A Member referred to para 4.18 of the report where it stated that Overview and Scrutiny could call-in a total of 6 decisions per year and was concerned that although we were a relatively low call-in authority that this procedure left little flexibility to call in further items if required and stated that there could be a year in which more than the allocated 6 decisions may need to be called in. 

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services stated that the Authority had never had this amount of call-ins previously and stated that this would be quite extraordinary to receive this number.  He added there needs to be a limit, to allow the Authority to operate effectively.  He added that if this level is found to be too low then this could be reviewed at such time.

A Member referred to Appendix B of the report where it stated that the term of office for Councillors was every 4 years, he stated that this should read every 5 years. 

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services stated that this appendix was included in the report to demonstrate the changes needed to the constitution as a result of the restructure of Overview and Scrutiny, he advised that this would also be updated as required.

J Spanswick

A Member welcomed the report with caution adding that Bridgend is one of the best in wales for Scrutiny but supported the changes provided that changes could be made if required when the structure is reviewed in due course.  He also urged all members to fully engage in the scrutiny process and to fully take part of scrutiny process in Bridgend

A Member referred to page 68 of the report para 4.12.1 where if stated that there was also an opportunity for Corporate Directors to propose items for the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme and advise on their appropriate timing, he was concerned that this would be deemed to be an officer led process.    The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services stated that Corporate Directors are able to add value to the Scrutiny process Situation by suggesting items as they are in the unique position where they are aware of what is planned for the future and changes to legislation for example – This would allow Corporate Directors to highlight to Scrutiny Members items for them to consider if they wish too, it would still be for Scrutiny to decide if they wish to consider the item proposed.   A Member endorsed the report and welcomed Corporate Directors being able to feed into the Scrutiny process whilst being member led as Corporate Directors know what is coming up. 

RESOLVED:  That Council

·         Noted the revised Overview and Scrutiny Structure and processes;

·         Approved the amendments to the Constitution as set out in Appendix B which includes the Terms of Reference, associated functions and remits of the new Scrutiny Committees;

·         Approved the updated calendar of Scrutiny meetings for 2017/2018 attached at Appendix C.