Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

There were no Member declarations of interest.

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence from the meeting was submitted on behalf of Councillor J Bale.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 1^st March 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Further to Minute No. 33, 5^th October 2009, to receive and consider the attached update report from the Chief Customer Services Officer.  

Further to Minute No. 33, 5^th October 2009, the Chief Customer Services Officer submitted a report updating the Board regarding the operation of the Central Interpretation and Translation Unit (CITU).

Paul Broughton, Chief Customer Services Officer, Susan Murray, Head of Face to Face Contact, and Jayne Grant, CITU Co-ordinator, were in attendance at the meeting and responded to Members’ queries and comments.  In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:-

·  Although the CITU charges had not yet been re-charged to Departments, there was no evidence to date that charging had led to a reduction in the demands for the service, or that Departments were making their own arrangements, independent of CITU.

·  CITU had contracts with individuals who provided the service for the Council at a rate per job.  The Department concerned or CITU dictated the need and level of use of the service.

·  The developments regarding CITU assuming responsibility for British Sign Language services in the City was welcomed.  It was also reported that the Primary Care Trust had expressed an interest in contracting into the service in respect of NHS patients.  The need to try to augment the numbers of BSL signers was acknowledged. 

·  The development of ‘migrant hubs’ at the Council’s One Stop Centres, where people could learn English, was noted and welcomed.

·  The Officers undertook to review again the current publicity levels and methods of CITU.

·  The Officers also undertook to explore further with Children’s Services and Adult Social Services:-

a)  in the case of the former, the drop in the number of referrals; and

b)  in the case of the latter, the relatively low number of referrals.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above comments, the report be received and noted.

(NB:  Councillor A Hussain joined the meeting at 10.02 am and Councillor M Hamilton joined the meeting at 10.08 am, during this item.)

Further to Minute No. 27, 7^th September 2009, Minute No. 49, 7^th December 2009 and Minute No. 57, 11^th January 2010, to receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development and the Board’s draft Inquiry report.

Further to Minute No. 27, 7^th September 2009, Minute No. 49, 7^th December 2009 and Minute No. 57, 11^th January 2010, the Board considered its proposed Final Inquiry Report submitted by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

Subject to several typographical errors and the inclusion of Recommendation 5 in the Board’s Annual Report 2009/10, the Board approved the draft Final Inquiry Report.

RESOLVED – That the draft Final Inquiry Report on Consultant Engagement be approved and forwarded to the Executive Board for consideration.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development regarding the Board’s contribution to the Scrutiny Annual Report 2009/10.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted the Board’s proposed contribution to the composite Scrutiny Annual Report to Council.

RESOLVED – That the Board’s contribution to the composite Scrutiny Boards’ Annual Report to Council be approved.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a relevant extract from the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st April to 31^st July 2010, together with the minutes of the meeting of the Executive board held on 10^th March 2010.

RESOLVED – That the report be received and noted.

RESOLVED – That, upon his retirement from the Council at the next election on 6^th May 2010, the Board places on record its thanks and appreciation for all the hard work on scrutiny issues performed by Councillor John Bale.

This being the last meeting of the Board in the 2009/10 municipal year, the Chair thanked all the Members and Officers who had either served on, or assisted or supported the Board during a very productive year.