Agenda item

Consider report by the Chief Executive.  (Copy attached).

2.1       With reference to paragraph 6 of the Minute of 25 June 2019, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive that presented potential subjects for Scrutiny review, as part of the future Scrutiny work programme 2019/20, to be approved by Council.  The Clerk to the Council, Ms Wilkinson explained that as detailed in the Scheme of Administration, the Committee was required to develop an annual programme of work for approval by Council.  At it’s meeting on 25 June 2019, the Committee agreed to request that officers liaise with communities/the public to advertise Scrutiny work and any suggested topics for Scrutiny review be submitted, with Elected Members and Community Councils subsequently contacted.  Ms Wilkinson advised that although two subjects had been submitted it was suggested that neither of these be taken forward for review as they did not fall within the remit of the Committee. 

2.2       The Council’s Corporate Management Team (CMT) had also suggested a further three subjects and the Committee agreed to take these forward: Income Management Policy; Common Ridings and Festivals in-kind support; and the Responsible Dog Ownership Policy.  Mr Robertson advised that as the Income Management Policy had been agreed in 2012 it was due to be reviewed; as part of this, it would also be helpful to see how charges benchmarked against other areas of Scotland.  It was considered appropriate for Members to review the application of the policy as the charges and fees involved many Council services income.  With regard to the in-kind support for Common Ridings and Festivals, this review was to be welcomed.  The grant funding for such events was being taken forward as part of the wider consultation on the Community Fund.  Members also welcomed the opportunity to review the Responsible Dog Ownership Policy.  Ms Wilkinson further advised that the current Scrutiny work programme contained two outstanding review subjects: Community Access to Schools (scoping paper) and Amey – Trunk Roads Management. 

2.3       Members then considered a number of other subjects for review, details of which were circulated at the meeting: 

Grass cutting regime (submitted by Bowden Village Committee) – information would be sought from the Neighbourhood Services team on whether this was already subject to review

The role of the new Police Community Action Team (submitted by Bowden Village Committee and similar subject submitted by Councillor H Scott) – a preliminary report would be brought to Audit & Scrutiny on the current arrangements

The Council’s response to speeding concerns (from Bowden Village Committee) – communication of the process for communities could be made through Area Partnerships in the first instance with feedback considered by Audit & Scrutiny if further review was required

Pupil Equity Funding (submitted by Councillor Bell) and Child Poverty Indicators (submitted by Councillor H. Anderson) – officers advised that establishing a direct correlation between PEF and attainment may be difficult but an evaluation of the actions the Council was taking on Child Poverty could be reported to Audit & Scrutiny which would include PEF, free school meals, etc. 

Balance between 20mph limits and street architecture (submitted by Councillor Bell) – to be taken forward

Actions being taken by the Council to improve its position on the national Roads Condition Index (submitted by Councillor Bell) and white lining on the Borders road network (submitted by Councillor H Scott) – consideration to be given on the effectiveness of the application of resources rather than a transactional review of the amount spent.  This would establish a benchmark for future years.

The role of SBC Economic Development in light of the new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency (submitted by Councillor Bell) – as discussions were still at an early stage, this subject would not be taken forward at the present time

The Council’s EV Car and Charging Points Policy (submitted by Councillor Chapman) – a report on how this tied in to the national framework was due to be considered by the Corporate Management Team in the first instance; the industry was changing rapidly so this subject would not be taken forward at the present time

Public transport meeting the needs of communities (submitted by Councillor Chapman) – the Chief Executive confirmed that school transport was open to the public if space allowed on the route and this could be publicised; the outcomes and outputs from the recent Transport Summit were due to come to the Corporate Management Team and a scoping paper would be produced from there

Rural Proofing Policy (submitted by Councillor Chapman) – a review would be taken forward

Recycling and Waste Policy (submitted by Councillor Chapman) – the new contract had now started so it was agreed to consider the request in 6 months

Evaluating and calibrating community contribution (submitted by Councillor H. Anderson) and the management and maintenance of public halls (submitted by Councillor H Scott) – a scoping document would be drafted by the Communities team to include Live Borders halls

Following the Public Pound (submitted by Councillor H. Anderson) – a briefing on the newly reviewed process for grant evaluation would be provided by the Communities team

Welfare Fund (submitted by Councillor H Anderson) – a briefing would be provided on how SBC managed applications alongside other funds

Process for following up actions on Members Questions and Motions at Council (submitted by Councillor H Anderson) – the Chief Executive and Clerk to the Council would look at a process for Members’ questions; Motions were followed up.

 The roll out and use of I-pads in schools (submitted by Councillor H Scott) – agreed to delay this until next year.

2.4       It was agreed that the Clerk to the Council would provide a report to Committee on 24 October 2019 with further details of the Scrutiny work programme 2019/20.  The Clerk to the Council would also thank everyone who had put forward suggestions and give further explanation on the subjects that would not be taken forward for scrutiny review.

DECISION

AGREED:

(a)        that the following items would not be taken forward at the present time into the proposed 2019/20 Scrutiny Work Programme:

(i)         the role of SBC Economic Development in light of the new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency;

(ii)        EV Car and Charging Points Policy;

(iii)       the roll out and use of I-pads in schools; and

(b)        that a report on the Scrutiny work programme for 2019/20 would be considered by the Audit & Scrutiny Committee on 24 October 2019 for recommendation to Council.