Councillor A E Breckons in the Chair; Councillors S J Anderson, C G Hallam-Baker, J G Hutchinson, F I Simpson, J E Smith and W G R Weeks.
341 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors W N Ferguson and R J Patterson.
342 1. DECLARATION OF INTEREST 1
There were no declarations of interest.
343 2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE HELD ON 21ST SEPTEMBER 2004 1
DECISION: To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 21st September 2004.
344 3. PROGRESS REPORTS ON MATTERS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE WORK PROGRAMME 1
Performance Management Sub-group
DECISION: To agree that the Performance Management sub-group should meet to consider the draft Performance Monitoring framework when it is available.
Health Sub-group
DECISIONS: (i) To invite Mrs Grace Haig to join the NHS Sub-group and (ii) to ask the Health Sub-group to include the following items on the agenda for its next meeting:
a) Details of NHS’s whistle-blowing policy
b) Discussion of a protocol for Members receiving approaches from NHS staff wishing to remain anonymous
345 4. ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME 2004/05 3
Matters identified at a meeting of Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny, Policy (Environment) and Policy (CS&R)
DECISIONS: (i) To set up the following working groups to undertake investigations as listed:
a) Evening Economy : Councillors S J Anderson and F I Simpson
b) Greening the Council/Waste Management : Councillors J G Hutchinson and R J Patterson;
(ii) to agree to undertake reviews of Food Safety, Health and Safety and Housing as outlined in the agenda at future meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and (iii) to undertake a review of the effects of increased resources in the Planning Department once new staff have been in place for 3 months.
Areas of joint scrutiny with other Councils in the region
DECISIONS: (i) To appoint Councillor J E Smith as the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s representative to Alnwick District Council’s scrutiny of Regional Funding; and (ii) to appoint Councillor J E Smith as the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s representative on the Regional Member and Officer Scrutiny Network.
346 5. BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING 5
DECISIONS: (i) To note the change of date for the next meeting, which will now be held on Thursday 16th December 2004 in St Aidans Hall, Church Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed; (ii) to request reports from the following sub-groups: Health; Evening Economy; Greening the Council/Waste Management; (iii) to view the video produced by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust; and (iv) to receive a report on wind farms and to prepare a recommendation to be taken to full Council on this matter.
