MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON FRIDAY, 20 DECEMBER 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr G S Kendall (Chairman), Mr J H Fleming (deputising for Mr G P Price), Mr P D Joyce, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mrs M J Miller, Mr A J Mundy (deputising for Mr M J Cunningham), Mr V J Morey, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton
Apologies :
Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J F Howe, Mr G P Price, Mr D T Yates
Also Present (Non Voting) :
Mr R G Mazillius
54. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2002 be confirmed
55. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No declarations were made at this stage.
56. SERVICE PLAN - FINANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
(During discussion Mr R A Sutton declared a Personal Interest as a family member was connected to the Print Unit)
The Select Committee received the report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Information and County Treasurer which set out the draft Service Plan for 2003/04 in respect of Finance and Business Services. Members were advised that the Plan would be updated for budget changes in due course and would be brought back to the Committee in April 2003.
The Strategic Director advised the Select Committee that the Comprehensive Performance Assessment, which had been undertaken in July 2002, had identified areas of weakness in the Audit section regarding levels of capacity. Action was being taken to address this through the budget process.
It was noted that at the Select Committee’s meeting on 14 November 2001 Members had requested that all printing throughout the Council be sourced through the Print Unit. It was identified by the Plan that this had not yet been achieved. It was asked that the Strategic Director identify the quantity of work that was not being serviced by the Print Unit and report back to the Select Committee Members.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Service Plan for Finance and Business Services be noted.
57. RESULTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The Head of Paid Service presented the Improvement Plan arising from the findings of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) that had been undertaken in July 2002. The Council had received a 2 star rating out of a possible 4, therefore the CPA required that the Council produce an improvement Plan by December 2002. The Improvement Plan addressed five main areas :
Maintaining Momentum of the Council
Performance Management
Organisation Development
Modernised Political Structures
Best Value Reviews
The Select Committee were advised that the Plan would be completed and agreed by the end of March 2003.
RESOLVED :
THAT the draft Improvement Plan be noted.
58. CORPORATE POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS - REORGANISATION AND DRAFT SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR 2003/04
Consideration was given to the report of the Strategic Director of Corporate and Environment Services which outlined the changes and restructuring of the Corporate Policy and Communications Unit together with details of the draft Service Improvement Plan for 2003/04.
Members were advised that following re-structuring of senior management a new Corporate and Policy Unit had been created bringing together the following areas :
Corporate Policy
Press and PR
Graphic Design
Economic Development
LA21
Help Centres
During discussion, Members noted the priorities of the Unit. In particular, it was noted that the Crime and Disorder Team required greater resources, it was hoped that this would be addressed through the budget process.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
59. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF NOVEMBER 2002
The Select Committee received the Budget Monitoring which outlined the spending position on both revenue and capital for the services within the Committee’s remit as at the end of November 2002.
During discussion it was asked why the budget indicated a shortfall of rental income from Council property, a written response would be provided.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
60. POLICY ON AGE DIVERSITY AND EMPLOYMENT OVER AGE OF 65
Members received the report of the Head of Personnel and Training Services which set proposals to change the Council’s policy in respect of employment of staff over the age of 65 and to introduce a age diversity policy.
The Select Committee were reminded that at its meeting on 9 October 2002, it had been agreed to recommend that the Council’s policy that all employees must retire at 65 should be varied to allow employees to remain and be recruited beyond their 65 birthday.
In discussion it was asked that the policy be amended to include details of pension entitlements and that the emphasis in Appendix two be changed to indicate that employees would continue employment after their 65 birthday unless they wished otherwise.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :
THAT subject to amendments, the policy on age diversity be approved.
61. FORWARD PLAN
RESOLVED :
THAT the Forward Plan be noted.
CHAIRMAN