REPORT FROM
THE CHAIR OF THE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
TO THE
MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL ON 21.06.06
- The
first substantial Scrutiny enquiry under my Chairmanship and indeed since
this Council was elected – into the proposed transfer of the Council’s Wightcare home care
operation to a private provider – was my prime focus during May. Together
with Cllr Mosdell and Cllr Gardiner – who constituted with me the ‘task
and finish’ group for this enquiry – we interviewed many stakeholders as
part of this enquiry. We were also assisted by Cllr Bishop who we co-opted
for this enquiry – though she is now a full member of the committee,
having replaced Cllr Cunningham.
The enquiry went as far as it could in the short
time-period allowed and our draft Final
Report was submitted to the Cabinet member, Cllr Cousins, and other stakeholders
on 26 May. I hope that its recommendations will be taken into account by the
decision-makers; though as yet there has
been no substantive response.
- Our
proposed enquiry into the Strategic
Partnering business case is likely to be abandoned given that
there was not a case, though we may look at the recommended strategic transformational partnership
at a later date.
- The next
enquiries are about to commence – into the Revenues Budget efficiencies; the Use of Consultancies;
Aim High; and (provisionally) Supporting People.
- The
three Development Control
related enquiries that I inherited are being progressed by my
committee colleagues who initiated these.
- We have
now had two well-attended formal and public Scrutiny Committees in my
nearly three months as Chair – something of a record ! Both Cllr Sutton
and Cllr Cousins from the Cabinet have attended to assist our enquiries.
Unfortunately tomorrow’s third meeting is rather less exciting, mainly
because I have been away for the last three weeks. Normal service will
resume in July !
- I was
pleased to have the opportunity to be interviewed by the CPA inspectors, which I
took full advantage of.
Cllr Geoff Lumley
Chair of Scrutiny
Committee