MINUTES OF THE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE HELD ON 23 MARCH 2006

24. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

It was noted that the Full Council, at the meeting on 15 March 2006, had appointed Cllr Geoff Lumley as Chairman to the Committee. The appointment would commence from 1 April 2006. It was therefore necessary for the Committee to elect a Chairman for the day.

RESOLVED :

THAT Mrs Sue Poston be elected as Chair for the day.

25. MINUTES

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2006 be confirmed.

26. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

A written declaration of personal interest had been received from Mr Bob Blezzard relating to Sandown Town Council, Sandham Middle School and the Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust.

Cllr Mike Cunningham declared a personal interest in Minute 27 and 28 as he was a member of the Development Control Committee.

27. DEVELOPMENT CONTROL – REPORTING PROCEDURES SC/01/06

The Chair and Vice Chair of the Development Control Committee offered their views on the effectiveness of reporting procedures.

The Chair suggested that reports could be more concise and stressed the importance of Members considering all relevant aspects of each application. This was of particular importance with regard to appeals and complaints made to the Ombudsman.

The Vice Chair indicated that Development Control staff had worked hard to improve reports and reduce the size of agendas. They remained large due to the requirement to include statutory information on each application and because of ward Members requesting items to go before the Committee. It was suggested that an alternative format and standardisation of reports would aid Members.

RESOLVED :

THAT the evidence submitted by the Chair and Vice Chair on the enquiry into Reporting Procedure be welcomed.

28. DEVELOPMENT CONTROL – SPEED OF DETERMINATION OF MINOR AND MAJOR APPLICATIONS SC/02/06

The Chair and Vice Chair of the Development Control Committee (DCC) provided reasons as to why the target for major applications had not been met.

Members were informed that the Council was currently above average in meeting the target for minor applications but failing to meet the target for major applications. The Chair felt there was some room for improvement but there was a national shortage of planning officers. This was being alleviated by training internal officers and promoting within.

Members noted that the Council would receive a planning delivery grant if the Government target of 13 weeks was met. However the DCC placed higher importance on the quality of developments to ensure the best results for the Island.

Members were informed that consultation on applications was often extensive and time consuming and could therefore slow down the process.

DCC Members had received compulsory training when they were appointed to the Committee. Training for all Members of the Council on Development Control issues could assist the decision making process.

RESOLVED :

THAT the evidence submitted by the Chair and Vice Chair on the enquiry into the speed of determination of minor and major applications be welcomed.

29. BUDGET

Cllr Mike Cunningham declared a personal interest as he was a Member of the Audit Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee had noted concerns expressed in the Annual Audit and Inspection letter for 2005-06 on the Council’s planned level of balances. Members therefore wished to ensure that the balances and reserves provide an adequate financial cushion commensurate with known and anticipated financial risks.

The Chief Financial Officer together with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Audit, an efficient Council, and Customer Champion, provided Members with the figures for the Council’s reserves and provisions up to March 2009.

Members noted that the figures did not explicitly include inflation in respect of either commitments or contributions, and that where necessary the latter would be increased to match the former.

RESOLVED :

THAT the use of Councils reserves and balances up to March 2009 be noted.

30. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The Acting Chief Executive updated Members on the appointment process for the vacant post of Chief Executive and proposed salary. The advertisement had been available online at www.unleashthetalent.co.uk.

A politically proportionate panel of Members to include 5 Conservative and the 2 opposition group leaders, which would include the political leaders, would initially reduce the number of applicants from 56 to 15. A short listing process would then conclude in 5 applicants being invited to interview.

Interviews would be held on 12 and 13 April 2006. Members would then be offered the chance to meet the applicants. Following interviews a recommendation would go to Full Council who would officially approve the appointment of the new Chief Executive.

Members noted that the salary had been offered towards the higher end of the scale to compete with other recruiting authorities. The salary would not include the relocation package and would be negotiated with the candidate prior to the meeting of the Full Council. It was likely to be related to performance of the individual and the Council.

RESOLVED :

THAT the appointment process and salary for the new Chief Executive be noted.

31. FORWARD PLAN

The Committee considered the Council’s Forward Plan which contained all key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet in the forthcoming months, enabling the Committee to scrutinise in advance of decisions being taken.

Members considered methods to enable more effective tracking of decisions and it was suggested that each item be allocated a reference number for tracking purposes.

RESOLVED :

i. THAT the Forward Plan be noted.

ii. THAT methods to enable more effective tracking of decisions be investigated.

CHAIRMAN