Councillors J Allen, D Beith, FI Simpson and PS Watts.
Also in attendance: Councillors WF Grant, EI Hunter and RJ Patterson.
107.
1. Apologies
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors AB Douglas, PB Gibson, RE Hutchinson, JD Peggs, RT Pearson and TJ Tyler.
1
108.
5. Declaration Of Interest
No declarations of interest were made.
2
109.
6. Minutes Of The Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Held on 14th June 2007
DECISION: To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 14th June 2007.
2
110.
4. Leader’s Presentation
The Leader of the Council made a presentation on the new administration’s direction and ambitions for the forthcoming year. A copy of the presentation is attached to these Minutes (Appendix 1).
2
111.
5. Berwick Borough Local Strategic Partnership
Members agreed that in view of the key role BBLSP plays in delivering the Council’s objectives under the Local Area Agreement, it was appropriate to revisit the earlier review of the partnership as a major review for this year.
DECISIONS: (i) To set up a working group consisting of Councillors Simpson, Stewart and Watts to determine the scope of the review and to gather evidence to inform its findings; and (ii) to receive regular update reports from the working group at Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings.
2
112.
6. Equality and Diversity
The Council’s Head of Public Protection, Jan Anderson, made a presentation to the Committee about the key issues involved in embedding Equality and Diversity principles and actions across the Council.
DECISIONS: (i) To agree to include Equality and Diversity as a regular item on the Committee’s work programme; and (ii) to agree to monitor the implementation of the action plan contained in the Inclusive Equalities Scheme adopted by the Council.
2
113.
7. Introduction to Overview and Scrutiny
The Committee received a presentation on the principles of Overview and Scrutiny, and how they have been applied to the work of the Committee in Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council over the past three years.
2
114.
8. Finalisation of Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2007-08
Members discussed holding a one-off “short, sharp scrutiny” on a topical issue, with a call-out for written evidence from the public and from local organisations, followed by an evidence gathering meeting with a representative group selected from those who responded to the call-out. It was agreed that this should be carried out before the next full meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
DECISIONS: (i) To hold a one-off scrutiny on the grass cutting and gardening service, following the framework detailed above; (ii) to include consideration of the impact of moving to a single Policy Committee to the work programme for January 2008; and (iii) to endorse the work programme, subject to the amendments detailed above.
2
115.
9. Overview and Scrutiny Committee Development Plan
DECISIONS: (i) To approve the updated Development Plan for 2007-08; and (ii) to agree actions to meet the milestones in the Development Plan.
2
116.
11. Press Release
DECISION: To invite submissions from the public to the Committee’s review of grass cutting and gardening services.
