Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the February meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Resources and Council Services)

In accordance with her powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to accept a late report, agenda item 10, Inquiry on Welfare Reform – Draft Final Report and Recommendations, which was not available at the time of agenda despatch (Minute No. 86 refers)

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19 - 20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

In accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members Code of Conduct, the following declaration was made by Councillor Ron Grahame in relation to Agenda item 7, Executive Board minutes – 9^th January 2013, in his capacity as a Director of East North East Homes ALMO. (Minute No.83 refers) 

There were no apologies for absence

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21st January 2013

(Copy attached

RESOLVED -That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st  January 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive for information the minutes of the Executive Board held on 9^th January 2013

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED -That the minutes of the Executive Board held on 9^th January 2013 be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which provides a general update on the operation of the Contact Centre including statistics on performance levels for 2011/12 and 2012/13

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented  a brief report by way of background to a discussion on the review of performance of the Contact Centre.

The following were in attendance:

  Councillor Peter Gruen - Executive Member Neighbourhoods and Support Services

Paul Broughton, Chief Customer Access

Wendy Allinson, Lead Officer welfare Reforms

In brief summary, the main issues of discussion were;

·  The enhanced service provided as a result of budgetary provision secured via recommendations made by this Scrutiny Board.

·  The recognition that the Contact Centre was a key strategic service

·  The service challenges facing the Contact Centre

·  Overall performance improvements over the past three to four years including performance on responding to emails

Call line identification and the frustrations caused by the current arrangements

It was agreed that the issue of call line identification would be pursued initially with the Chief Officer ICT in terms of the technical issues and then if appropriate with the business centre in terms of corporate policy.

RESOLVED 

(i)  To receive the update on Contact Centre performance

(ii)  To request that the Chief Officer ICT attend the Scrutiny Board in March to discuss call line identification.

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development requesting the Board to consider the progress made on the recommendations agreed by Executive Board concerning employees’ declarations of interest.

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development  submitted a recommendation tracking report detailing two recommendations made by Scrutiny in   October 2011 in relation to Employees’   Declarations of Interest. 

The following officer was in attendance

Dave Almond – Head of Human Resources

In brief summary, the main issues of discussion were;

·  The acknowledgment that recommendation one of the report had been implemented

·  That in relation to recommendation two, that the Council work towards publishing interests of employees in “high risk” posts,

  the Board noted that all high risk posts had been identified and   contacted to declare their interests as required by the Code of   Conduct.  The Board further noted that 90% of post holders had   declared their interests and the remaining 10% were being     actively progressed within Directorates.

·  That a report would be presented to the Corporate Leadership Team in March 2013 outlining the practical arrangements that would need to be put in place to   publish such a list and still comply with data protection legislation.

The Board requested a summary of the outstanding declarations by Directorate and grade.

RESOLVED

(i)  To note the implementation of recommendation one and progress towards meeting recommendation two

(ii)  That a  summary of the outstanding declarations by Directorate and Grade be requested

(iii)  That the Scrutiny Board considers the option of inviting a Director who has not achieved a 100% response rate by 31 March 2013 to a future Scrutiny Board

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development into the inquiry into Welfare Reform.

The final inquiry report is currently being drafted and will be available to the  Board prior to the meeting.

(Inquiry report to follow)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented the conclusions and recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry into Welfare Reform.

The following were in attendance:

Councillor Peter Gruen - Executive Member Neighbourhoods and Support Services

Paul Broughton, Chief Customer Access

Wendy Allinson, Lead Officer welfare Reforms

The following comments/amendments to the draft final report and recommendations were agreed as follows:

·  An amendment to recommendation eight to reflect the need to ensure consistency when considering the recovery of costs from customers affected by the Council Tax Support changes

·  An amendment to recommendation 14 to reflect that the appropriate Scrutiny Board would monitor the approach taken to manage under-occupancy.

RESOLVED

(i)  That the Scrutiny Board’s final report and recommendations, as amended, be approved

(i)  That a formal response to the recommendations be requested.

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which sets out the Board’s draft work schedule for the 2012/13 Municipal year

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a copy of the Board’s work schedule. 

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the Board’s work schedule.

(ii)  To add the following items; March - Council Business Plan and call line identification

 April - Asset Management/budget plus.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Monday 18^th March 2013 commencing at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note the date of the next meeting as Monday 18^th March 2013 at 10am

(All meetings to take place in the Civic Hall, Leeds, commencing at 10.00am)

(The meeting concluded at 11.30 am)