Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the April meeting of the Scrutiny Board (City Services) which was the last meeting of the current municipal year. He explained the reasons behind the change in date and time of the meeting.

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 13 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

Apologies for absence were  made on behalf of Councillor S Golton, Councillor J McKenna, Councillor L Rhodes-Clayton and Councillor F Robinson.

To receive and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd March 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd March 2007 be approved as a correct record.

(a)  Crown Cuisine Inquiry

The Chair requested information on the progress made in implementing recommendation 1 of the Board’s final report following completion of it’s inquiry into Crown Cuisine.

Randal Brown, Director of City Services  reported that he had commissioned a report which was in final draft prior to referral to the Corporate Leadership Team.

The Board noted that the final decision would then be formally taken by the Director of City Services.

(b)  Chair’s Opening Remarks (Minute 91 refers)

  Councillor P Gruen asked for a further update on the interim acting up arrangements within the City Services Department following the recent retirement of Paul Markham, Head of Highway Services.

  The Director of City Services responded and confirmed that details of the interim acting up arrangements discussed at the last Board meeting had been emailed to Members of the Board as previously agreed.

In addition he briefly outlined the current recruitment arrangements for the new post of Chief Officer, Highways Services which were noted by the Board.

To receive the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 14^th March 2007.

RESOLVED -  That the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 14^th March 2007 be received and noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s submission to the Scrutiny Board’s Annual Report.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted  a report regarding the Board’s contribution to the overall Scrutiny Annual Report 2007.

Appended to the report was a draft copy of the City Services Board’s proposed contribution to the Annual Report which included an introduction from the Chair and details of some of the work undertaken by the Board in this municipal year.

Randal Brown, Director of City Services and Helen Finister, Chief Officer, Streetscene, Department of City Services were in attendance.

The Chair requested that reference should be made in the report to the contribution which had been made by Councillor J Lewis and Councillor R Harington whilst Members of the Board.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser agreed to revise the Annual Report accordingly.

RESOLVED – That with the addition referred to above, the report be approved as this Board’s contribution to the composite Annual Report for 2006/7.

The Chair personally thanked Board Members for their contributions over the past year and for the support given by Randal Brown, Director of City Services and his officers, together with the staff from the Scrutiny and Corporate Governance Units.

(The meeting concluded at 12.35 pm)