PAPER C

Committee :    LIAISON COMMITTEE

Date :              20 AUGUST 2002

Title :              CROSS CUTTING ISSUES AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The Select Committees have each held a Workshop in order to determine their work programme throughout the coming year. Some issues raised by Members have cross cutting implications across the agreed Terms of Reference of the existing Select Committee structure. This purpose of this report is to determine which committee should take ownership of these matters.

Additionally it may be an opportune time to review the remit of Select Committees and how certain common themes should be dealt with.

BACKGROUND

Currently Members have identified 2 key areas for Scrutiny and Policy Development that fall into this category. Both areas have historically been dealt with in a number of different forums and now require a decision from the Liaison Committee to determine which Select Committee should assume responsibility for these.

Where a Select Committee is given the remit to deal with any cross cutting issues members of any other Select Committee will still be able to attend the meeting.

Members are asked to decide which Select Committee will take responsibility and lead on the following cross cutting areas:-

1         Greening the Authority – involves Resources Select Committee and Environment and Transport Select Committee.

2         Housing Policy – involves Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee and Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee.

With regard to the remit of Select Committees the Liaison Committee is requested to indicate whether a review should be undertaken on these. Some concern has been expressed about the workload involved for the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Select Committee with the review and development of planning policies.

The Liaison Committee is also aware that regular budget monitoring reports are being submitted to each Select Committee. This process is at an early stage but I am aware that Members have indicated a wish to see more meaningful budget information. At present this is on a monthly basis, apart from the Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee where this is quarterly. The style of report to this Select Committee was well received and a copy of this is attached. Does the Liaison Committee believe that a common style report should be utilised across all services areas or for each Select Committee to adopt its own format.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Members’ views are requested.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Liaison Committee Procedure Rules.

Contact Point : Alistair R Drain ☎ 3801

ALISTAIR DRAIN

Head of Select Committee and

Best Value Support