Agenda and minutes

Councillors and Officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out the Scrutiny Review Panel Procedure Rules and suggests that the Panel should adopt them for the purpose of conducting the review.

The Panel are requested to formally adopt the Scrutiny Review Panel Rules for the purpose of conducting the review.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on 0161 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Scrutiny Review Panel Procedure Rules and suggesting that the Panel should adopt them for the purpose of conducting the review.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Review Panel Procedure Rules be adopted as outlined in the report.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager

The report is designed to assist the Panel to scope the review and determine the areas which they wish to explore and scrutinise further. 

The Panel is requested to determine the scope of the review and outline areas which they wish to scrutinise further.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on 0161 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) assisting the Panel to scope the review and determine the areas which they wished to explore and scrutinise further.

RESOLVED – (1) That the aims, objectives and framework for the Review be approved.

(2) That the scope of the Review should focus on the evolving role of members in relation to the Investing in Stockport Programme to ensure that they have the appropriate support to fulfil their changing roles including:

·         Are Councillors provided with the opportunities to develop the skills needed to fully embrace the approach?  

·         Are Councillors are provided with key information to support role (e.g. ward profiles) and to allow citizen self-service?

·         Are the existing mechanisms for engagement between citizens and key council partners fit for purpose under the new arrangements?

·         Do Councillors have appropriate access to officer advice and the future role of ‘Relationship Managers’?

·         Do Councillors have the “tools to do the job” on a locality basis e.g. ICT?

·         Is there a community engagement lead role for Councillors to enable communities to have greater influence over how services are delivered?

·         How do we make best use of area committees within the Locality working approach?

·         The effectiveness of the current Scrutiny arrangements including the impact of GM Devolution;

·         Councillors membership of external bodies/ boards/ groups sand the legal responsibilities placed on them;

·         How Councillors can be supported in relation to the Management of Information.

(3) That North West Employers be invited to support the Review.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report provides Members with an outline of the current opportunities offered to them with regard to Learning and Development.

1.    The Review Panel are invited to

• comment on the Terms of Reference of the Member Learning & Development Group and upon their relevance in relation to the current role and function of the group. 

• note the current strategy and consider whether they wish to review the current Strategy as part of the forthcoming Scrutiny review of Member Training and Development. 

• consider the future form and content of our internal and external training offer to Elected Members and whether the activity is adequate.

2.    The Scrutiny Review Panel may wish to consider the future form and content of a Member Induction programme.  For example:-

• Is the content still appropriate or are there more changes which would be beneficial? And is there anything missing?

• In addition to Planning, Licensing and Employment training for Members of the appropriate Committees (and in the case of Planning for Area Committee Members as well) and the session on First Things First, should any further sessions be mandatory?

• Should the length of the Members’ Induction Programme be reduced?

3.    The Scrutiny Review Panel is invited to consider how this proposed Scrutiny Review might help to inform the future direction of Member Learning and Development activity and the role of the Member Learning & Development Group within the scrutiny review process. 

Officer contact Craig Ainsworth on telephone number 0161 474 3204 or alternatively email craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing members with an outline of the current opportunities offered to them with regard to Learning and Development.

RESOLVED (1) – That the report be noted.

(2) That the following questions be considered at the conclusion of the review:-

·         Is the content still appropriate or are there more changes which would be beneficial? And is there anything missing?

·         In addition to Planning, Licensing and Employment training for Members of the appropriate Committees (and in the case of Planning for Area Committee Members as well) and the session on First Things First, should any further sessions be mandatory?

·         Should the length of the Members’ Induction Programme be reduced?

To consider a paper prepared by the Democratic Services Manager.

The Paper summarises the support provided to Councillors by Democratic Services (which includes the Political Assistants)

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the paper.

Officer contact Craig Ainsworth on telephone number 0161 474 3204 or alternatively email craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the support provided to Councillors by Democratic Services (which includes the Political Assistants).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To agree the dates of future meetings and the timescales for undertaking the review.

RESOLVED – (1) That meetings of the Scrutiny Review Panel be held on the following dates:-

22 October 2015
18 November 2015
2 December 2015

20 January 2016

(2) That the Democratic Services manager be requested to make arrangements for an officer and Councillor from Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council to attend the next meeting.