Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2018 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2018 be signed as a correct record.

The Chair welcomed Mrs Mayes who was attending the meeting in her capacity as a Co-opted Member of the Council's Standards Committee to observe and monitor compliance with the Council’s ethical governance framework.

Items which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There was no matter raised as a matter of urgency.

Members of the public may make representations/presentations on any substantive matter listed in the published agenda for this meeting, as set out hereunder, relating to a specific matter or an examination of services or facilities provided or to be provided.

There were no oral representations from members of the public.

Report of the Chief Officer for Communities, Public Health, Environment and Prosperity, attached.

(Councillor Croad attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(1) and Ms C Eastell, Chief Executive of Libraries Unlimited (LU) attended and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee)

The Committee received the Report of the Chief Officer for Communities, Public Health, Environment and Prosperity, which provided an update on Library Services as requested at the previous June Committee meeting, covering Background, Performance indicators, Service Plan 2018/19, Increasing impact and adding value; and Challenges. 

In discussion with Members, the following points in particular were noted:-

·         work with Exeter City Council around how library and community spaces were evolving;

·         the suggestion of two new key performance indicators, namely Child book issues and Professional staff hours;

·         funding earmarked for new libraries in Bideford and Cranbrook, but dependent on feasibility studies;

·         available Arts Council funding of £170,000;

·         recruitment for a new Chair of the Board of Trustees of LU was underway; and

·         the tender (with 22 other local authorities) to get best deal on book purchase.

The Head of Scrutiny clarified that LU could be asked to acknowledge and consider any recommendations made by the Committee.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hook, SECONDED by Councillor Atkinson and

RESOLVED

(a)      that Libraries Unlimited be congratulated on its successful two years of operation;

(b)      that two new Key Performance Indicators  be included:

          - Stock issue to children

          - Professional hours worked by library staff;

(c)      that a further report be made to Committee in 12 months’ time.

Report of the County Solicitor (CSO/18/30), attached.

The Committee received the Report of the County Solicitor on the Heart of the South West LEP Joint Scrutiny Committee and the Terms of Reference outlined in its Appendix.  It followed the Government-commissioned report, Review of Local Enterprise Partnership Governance and Transparency, which advised that Scrutiny arrangements should be in place to monitor decision-making and achievements of the LEP.

The Head of Scrutiny reported that membership of the Joint Scrutiny Committee would comprise 17 members from Devon, Plymouth, Torbay, and Somerset Councils plus Devon and Somerset District Councils and meetings would take place three times a year.  The first meeting was anticipated to take place on 2 November 2018, with a review after 12 months.  Devon County Council would be the host Scrutiny for the LEP Joint Scrutiny Committee and its members would determine the Committee’s work programme.

It was MOVED by Councillor Dewhirst, SECONDED by Councillor Colthorpe and

RESOLVED that the Report be noted and endorsed.

Report of the Spotlight Review on Problem Gambling, attached.

The Committee received the Report of the Problem Gambling Spotlight Review and the recommendations contained therein.  The Chair of the Review expressed his thanks to everyone involved in the preparation of the Report.

In discussion with Members, the following revisions were agreed to be made to the recommendations in the Report:

(a)      At recommendation 1.2, it was felt that to raise awareness, training for frontline staff should also include employers;

(b)      An additional recommendation 1.3 should be added to refer to the effects that gambling had on suicide and self-harm, namely:

          “Improve the identification of gambling as a risk factor in suicide and self-harm by:

×          working with coroners to ensure appropriate use of supplementary codes for gambling as a diagnosable mental health condition (ICD10 F63.0) and lifestyle risk factor (ICD10 Z72.6) in death certification following suicide

×          working with local healthcare providers to ensure appropriate use of these codes in healthcare activity relating to self-harm and mental health

×          including gambling as a specific risk factor within local suicide audit arrangements

×          analysing available data to identify local patterns and associated risks to inform service planning and targeting”

(c)        The Chair of the Spotlight Review with the Head of Scrutiny agreed to make minor amendments to the Report as discussed.

It was MOVED by Councillor Dewhirst, SECONDED by Councillor Atkinson and

RESOLVED that the revised Report be commended to Cabinet.

Report of the Head of Economy, Enterprise and Skills (EES/18/5), attached.

(Councillor Gilbert attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(1) and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee)

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Economy, Enterprise and Skills (EES/18/5) outlining further progress made against the recommendations contained in the Task Group report dated September 2016, which was subsequently endorsed by Cabinet. 

Members questioned what would happen about the allocation of future European funding after the UK left the EU next March and the Cabinet Member explained that he would be reporting to full Council on this at next week’s meeting (4 October).

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills expressed to the Committee an interest in those services within his portfolio exploring any opportunities for further cost saving and income generation through a planned service delivery transformation process.

The Strategic Business Services Manager, although not at the meeting, had invited questions from Members on the content of the Report, to which he would respond in writing directly.

It was MOVED by Councillor Atkinson, SECONDED by Councillor Hall and

RESOLVED

(a)      that a more structured and cohesive approach be achieved with some central co-ordination;

(b)      that the Committee continue to monitor the progress of the Council’s income generation and efficiency saving strategies, taking into account any existing oversight provisions.

(c)      that a further report be provided to the Committee at a future date, in consultation with the Assets team, which should include examples of income generation.

Report of the Head of Digital Transformation and Business Support (BSS/18/10), attached.

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Digital Transformation and Business Support (BSS/18/10) on the Council’s future delivery model for property consultancy services.

The Council had significant property responsibilities for a wide range of specialist property support services which were currently carried out by NPS SW under a joint venture contract with the Council which ran from April 2007 to March 2022. 

The Head of Service explained that a review group had been set up by the Council to consider the delivery model options as set out in the Report and appendix against organisational requirements.  The review group’s research was planned to commence from autumn 2018 and Scrutiny’s involvement was welcomed at an early stage. 

It was MOVED by Councillor Dewhirst, SECONDED by Councillor Atkinson and

RESOLVED

(a)      that the forthcoming delivery model options appraisal, enabling the Council to decide its future model for property consultancy beyond March 2022, be noted;

(b)      that the Committee undertake Spotlight Reviews in February 2019, followed by another in September 2019, to contribute into the delivery model review; and

(c)      that the Review Group’s recommendations to help determine the future delivery model of the property consultancy services be taken to the Committee’s September 2019 meeting in readiness for a decision by Cabinet.

In accordance with previous practice, Scrutiny Committees are requested to review

forthcoming business and determine which items are to be included in the Work

Programme, which can be found at https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/committee-meetings/scrutiny-committees/scrutiny-work-programme/

The Committee may also wish to review the content of the Cabinet Forward Plan to see if

there are any specific items therein it might wish to explore further, which can be found

at: http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgPlansHome.aspx?bcr=1

Street Lighting Policy

The Head of Scrutiny would circulate an email inviting Members to meet with Officers and contribute to pre-decision scrutiny before bringing a report back to Committee in November.

RESOLVED that the Commissioning Liaison Members, and any other interested Member, meet with Officers and bring a brief report to the Committee in November.

Masterclasses/ Committees

27 November 2018 –Transport and Engineering Professional Services would move to March 2019.

29 January 2019 – Budget Committee in the morning, ordinary Committee in the afternoon.

Devon and Cornwall Police merger

RESOLVED that the Police and Crime Commissioners for Devon and Dorset be invited to attend Scrutiny on the morning of 27 November 2018.

Future items

RESOLVED that the following items be added to the Work Programme:

Devon Waste Strategy – reopening of landfill site at Heathfield

Update on the Congestion Task Group’s recommendations

Cycling and Walking Strategy – new policies/ design.