Scrutiny Committee Minutes - 23 November 2006

The Chairman indicated that there was a general dispensation allowing all Members to speak and vote on the issue of Members’ allowances (Minute 43), even though Members had a direct personal interest in the issue.

36. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There were no public questions.

37. IMPROVING SCHOOL ATTAINMENT ENQUIRY (SC12/06)

The Committee formally agreed the scoping document for the enquiry into Improving School Attainment.

The Chairman welcomed and introduced Mr Colin Dutton, Mrs Sara Sheath and Mr Stuart Clements from the Isle of Wight Governors Association and invited their comments from a Governors point of view.

Mr Stuart Clements, a Governor at Downside Middle School.

(i) The Council’s use of Mouchell Parkman had not improved the standard of education on the Isle of Wight.

(ii) There did not appear to be a sharing of good practice across the Island and there was no overall commitment to seek out what worked well.

(iii) No leadership in improving the quality of teaching.

(iv) Management of behaviour was inadequate.

(v) No consultation with Governors leading to a lack of strong vision which could help establish direction.

Mrs Sara Sheath focussed mainly on primary schools.

(i) She believed that the Island’s figures of attainment at Key Stage 1 had risen higher than those nationally.

(ii) There were some good elements of support from the LEA.

(iii) Pupil tracking – had the software but Governors had not had the training to enable it to be used.

(iv) LEA tended to be more reactive than proactive.

(v) Not enough consultation with governing bodies.

Mr Colin Dutton, a Governor of Osborne Middle School.

(i) Cultural change has to take place within the school.

(ii) Data – data sets can identify those pupils who are under performing.

(iii) There appeared to have been no significant move forward in the performance of schools 2003 – 2006, although the resources were there.

The following general points were raised during questioning by the Committee :

(i) Need to identify children in school that need support.

(ii) The standard of learning and teaching should be checked by Governors.

(iii) Training should be given during the induction process for Governors on how to be a critical friend.

(iv) Governors don’t feel empowered and lack help and advice from council officers.

(v) Family learning is a key element in encouraging parental involvement.

(vi) Better support for Governors required.

(vii) Permanent fixed dialogue time with leading councillors.

The Chairman indicated that he would be pleased to take evidence from other Governors if they would like to write to him.

RESOLVED:

THAT the scoping document be agreed and the evidence provided by the Isle of Wight Governors Association be welcomed.

38. LOSS OF HOUSING INVESTMENT GRANT FOR 2006/07 ENQUIRY (SC 16/06)

The Committee agreed the report on the Loss of Housing Investment Grant 2006-07.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be passed to the Cllr Dawn Cousins the Cabinet Member for Care, Health and Housing to take forward and monitor.

39. CALL-IN OF DELEGATED DECISION 45/06 – BUSINESS CASE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – VOLUME 2 – EXTENDED SUMMARY – CABINET MEMBER FOR ISLAND HEALTH, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING

Members were reminded of delegated decision 45/06 taken by the Cabinet Member on 15 September 2006 in relation to the Business Case for the Integration of Health and Social Care – Volume 2. The decision was subsequently called-in on 22 September 2006 and it was noted that all voting members of the Committee had signed the call-in as they believed there had been inadequate consultation with stakeholders, partners and public and there was an absence of evidence to support the decision.

Cllr Dawn Cousins, the Cabinet Member for Care, Health and Housing advised Members that the first part was noted so it was neither accepted nor approved and therefore there was no obligation to the Council. The second part was to accept the four recommendations.

The Committee indicated they did not have a problem with joint working arrangements between the Health Trust and the Isle of Wight Council, but it appeared that the Health Trust was in financial trouble year on year. There was no evidence to show that the health partners were financially fit. The Cabinet Member advised the Committee that there was a move to closer working but not at any cost. Business and financial risks would be stated before any decision was taken.

Members asked what the cost to this authority was so far and were advised that a detailed reply would be provided. It was suggested that a visit could be arranged to Knowsley who had a similar arrangement to what was being proposed for the Island.

The Cabinet Member indicated that the decision was yet to be made and she was in no hurry to do that as there were still some amendments to be made, particularly in the way joint working was to be achieved.

RESOLVED:

THAT the comments made by the Cabinet Member in clarifying the proposed decision be noted and no further action requested.

40. WIGHTCARE ENQUIRY (SC 06/06)

The Chairman reminded the Committee that an enquiry had been undertaken between April and June 2006. He invited Cllr Dawn Cousins, Cabinet Member for Care, Health and Housing to give Members an update.

The Service was now to be kept in-house and would be reconfigured to provide a new and specialised Wraparound Care Service. The service would enable older people to stay in their own homes as long as possible rather than taking up bed space in hospital.

The unit cost of the operation was discussed and Members were assured that the quality and cost of specialist services would be benchmarked.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

41. 2006/07 REVENUE BUDGET EFFICIENCIES ENQUIRY (SC08/06)

The enquiry was agreed by the Committee in April 2006. The Committee wanted to ensure that the efficiencies would not have a detrimental effect on services. There was some concern with regard to the impact the budget could have on staff and the situation would be monitored.

There was some discussion as to how the impact on staff was to be monitored. It was suggested that feedback from the community would be a good indicator as would the monitoring of sickness levels. The results of the staff survey currently being carried out would also be taken into account.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT the interim report be adopted and submitted to Cllr Jilly Wood, the Cabinet Member for Resources and Town/Parish Council Empowerment.

(b) THAT further work be undertaken by the Committee to monitor the impact of budget efficiencies.

42. CAR PARKING ENQUIRY (SC13/06)

The Committee formally agreed the scoping document for the enquiry into car parking (SC 13/06).

An amendment to the reason for the enquiry was proposed so to read as follows :

To ascertain whether the policies are meeting the needs of all Island residents, businesses and visitors taking account of the balance between financial and environmental considerations.

RESOLVED :

THAT the scoping document as amended be agreed.

43. MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES ENQUIRY (SC17/06)

An investigation was to be undertaken with regard to Members’ Allowances due to the significant public concern and interest. The two co-opted voting members of the committee had been asked to look at the process.

Another outcome was to be added to the scope so that recommendations could be made on how to improve the process for determining Members remuneration in the future.

RESOLVED :

THAT the scoping document with the additional outcome be agreed.

44. PROGRESS REPORT ON CURRENT ENQUIRIES

(i) Aim High (SC 11/06)

Mr Anthony Marvin indicated that the scoping document for the enquiry would have to be amended arising from implications of the recently approved Corporate Improvement Plan.

(ii) Use of Consultants (SC 10/06)

Cllr Deborah Gardiner updated the Committee on the Council’s use of Consultants enquiry. There was no consistency on how consultants were procured. The next stage would be to look at the contracts with key officers. It was hoped the outcome would provide consistency and proper process for procuring the use of consultants. It was anticipated that a interim report would be brought to the Committee in January 2007.

(iii) Supporting People (SC 09/06)

Cllr Deborah Gardiner had met with Mr Pete Griffiths in relation to Supporting People. The next step would be to speak to the Service providers.

(iv) Planning Gains (SC 03/06)

Cllr Brian Mosdell reported that he had completed the draft report on planning gain.

45. FORWARD PLAN

The Forward Plan for December 2006 to June 2007 was considered and the Chairman asked that officers be congratulated on the new improved version.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Forward Plan be noted.

CHAIRMAN