MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr G S Kendall (Chairman), Mr M J Cunningham, Mr P D Joyce, Mr D J Knowles, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr G P Price, Mr I R Stephens, Mr A F Tiltman, Mrs J L Wareham

Portfolio Holder :

Mr R R Barry

Also Present (Non Voting) :



Mr A J Mundy

Apologies :

Mrs M J Miller, Mr R A Sutton

20. MINUTES

RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2001 be confirmed.

21. SERVICE PLANS AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Select Committee gave consideration to the Service Plans and Performance Indicators from the areas coming within the responsibility of the Head of Paid Services and the Strategic Director of Corporate and Environment Services.
Members received the Service Plans for Corporate Policy Team and Communications and Civic Affairs Team. In respect of the Corporate Policy Team, the Strategic Director advised Members that the Community Plan had now gone through a period of consultation with the public. This was aimed at reestablishing the needs of the public and engaging public input into the plans. The close links between the Social Inclusion Strategy and Community Plans were discussed, Members felt that it was a cross cutting issue. Members considered that the current requirement of responding to letters of complaint should be lowered from 20 days to 14 days.
The Select Committee then considered the Service Plans relating to Communications and Civic Affairs. Following the departure of the Head of Communications Members were advised that there were no plans to reinstate the post, but there would be some restructuring. Media representation of Councillors was discussed and it was felt there was a need for greater support to be given to Councillors other than support that the Leader, Chairman and Portfolio Holders received. It was emphasised that the Public Affairs Office was a resource available to all Councillors.
With regard to the Service Plan for Committee Services and Member Support plans were outlined for reducing printing costs through electronic delivery of mail. The Strategic Director of Corporate and Environment Services reported that Committee Services had achieved 90% success on its target of delivering papers and agendas to Members 7 days before meetings. Public attendance at meetings was an area for improvement.
Members then considered the Service Plan for Electoral Services and the progress being made towards improving the turnout at elections. It was reported that in early 2002 a review of all the polling stations would be undertaken. It was believed that it would be useful if local Members were involved in this review. A report outlining the findings and conclusions of the review would be brought to the Select Committee before the end of 2002.
The Service Plan for Legal Services was considered. The Strategic Director reported that to relieve pressure on legal staff additional administrative support had been appointed. The need for better Information and Technology was discussed. The Strategic Director confirmed that budget had been made available to secure the necessary improvements.
With regard to the Service Plan for Property Services Members were advised that there were plans to review Service Level Agreements with every section. The need for the Select Committee to receive information concerning property transactions was highlighted. However Members were reminded that such information would not come to the Committee unless it was requested.
Members were reminded that they had now completed the review of Service Plans and it was therefore appropriate to consider recommendations. It was agreed that the Chairman should write on be behalf of the Select Committee to the Head of Paid Service and include the following issues.
�To recommend that Service Plans content be reviewed.
�That the current requirement of responding to letters of complaint be lowered from 20 to 14 days.
�That Service Plans incorporate realistic meaningful benchmarks.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the Chairman write an appropriate letter to the Head of Paid Service.
(ii) THAT a report on polling station review be brought to the Select Committee before the end of 2002.
(iii) THAT a report from the Task Group on Measuring Performance be brought to the Select Committee in February 2002.
(iv) THAT a report on outlining the Council's printing arrangements be brought to the Select Committees meeting on 24 January 2002.

22. OUTLINE SCOPE FOR ICT REVIEW PART TWO

Members were advised that following the Government's objective to have 100% of information electronically available to the public by 2005 an ICT Best Value Review was being undertaken. The review would investigate how to best enable public access to all Council services through an ICT medium. Members were advised that a wider review of Public Interface/Access to Council Services was also being carried out in 2002/03. It was proposed to include the review of e-Government as part of this wider review. This would satisfy the Best Value Inspectors' wish for fewer, more cross cutting reviews. An Appraisal Group to support the review would include Members from the Connecting with the Public Task Group.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Outline Scope be accepted and the review be carried out within the wider examination of Public Interface. Access to Council Services and that it be actively supported through the Appraisal Group.

23. A VISION FOR NEWPORT

In view of time restraints it was suggested that this item be deferred.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be deferred to the Select Committee's meeting on 24 January 2002.

24. APPOINTMENT TO AN OUTSIDE BODY

Members were advised that there was a vacancy on the Southern Group Valuation - Isle of Wight Appointments Panel. Members believed that this item should be deferred to the Select Committee's next meeting so that details of the vacancy could be reported.
RESOLVED :
THAT the appointment to the Southern Group Valuation - Isle of Wight Appointments Panel be deferred to the Select Committee's meeting on 24 January 2002.

25. FORWARD PLAN

The Chairman advised Members that it would be appropriate to include the Forward Plan as an agenda item to enable Members to identify items that they would like to come to the Select Committee before consideration by the Executive.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Council's Forward Plan become a standing item on the Resources Select Committee's agenda.

CHAIRMAN