PURPOSE

The Council’s constitution provides for the adoption of workplans by all Select Committees. The Resources Select Committee workshop on 11 June 2002 generated a range of issues that Members suggested should be work priorities. After further discussion with your Select Committee Chairman and having regard for comments from appropriate officers, a draft Select Committee Workplan has been prepared.

BACKGROUND

1.	Select Committee procedure rule 8 reads “Each Select Committee shall establish its own work programme.”

2.	The Select Committee workshops were planned to provide all Members with an opportunity to review the work they have undertaken to date and plan a programme of work for the coming year.

3.	The Select Committee is reminded that scrutiny of Service Plans, Best Value Review Improvement Plans and the budget forms an integral part of the workplan. The workplan can also include referrals from the Executive and Full Council and Directorate–led reports. Work can be progressed by the Select Committee as a whole, or through working parties, task groups or best value reviews. Officers are also reminded that Member briefings and Bulletin can be utilised for information items.

4.	Members will recall that following a suggestion from the Chairman at the workshop the Select Committee agreed to separate policy work from scrutiny work. The workplan has been prepared to reflect this new approach to Select Committee working.
5.	The Select Committee had previously established a number of task groups. Members are asked to note that the Property/Asset Management Task Group has recently been reconvened and that the Grants Task Group is due to report its findings to the September meeting of the Select Committee. The Measuring Performance Task Group made a number of recommendations to the Select Committee on 16 May 2002 and Members are asked to indicate whether they wish this Task Group to continue and, if so, to determine new terms of reference for the Group. The Information and Communication Technology Task Group has not met in recent months and Members are asked to confirm whether they wish this Task Group to continue or to be wound-up.
6.	The Select Committee has also established an Audit Panel. Arrangements for the inaugural meeting of the Panel are in hand and Members will be notified of these in due course.

Attached as an Appendix to this report, Members will find the draft Resources Select Committee workplan. Members are invited to review and pass comment on the workplan and in particular the schedule of planned business. Members are also asked to note that due to pressures the workplan is likely to need periodic modification.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Non-quantifiable; officer resource supporting the democratic process.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.	That the draft workplan with appropriate amendments be approved.

2.	That terms of reference for any further Working Party, Task Group or other group established by the Select Committee be agreed.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

IWC Members Handbook and Constitution.

Resources Select Committee workshop file notes.

Contact Point: Saskia Kiernan, ( 01983 823805

A DRAIN

Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support