Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to this additional March meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Resources and Council Services).

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence and notifications of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor JL Carter and Councillor A Lowe.

Notification had been received for Councillor N Walshaw to substitute for Councillor A Lowe.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing the Scrutiny Board with an opportunity to ask Mr McMillan-Scott, MEP for Yorkshire and Humber, a broad range of questions, particularly focussing on the following key areas:

·  How is the policy and priority setting at the EU level shaping up given all the pressures on the European Union?

·  How can MEPs help shape the funding arrangements for the future to make them more sensitive to local government?

·  Are there opportunities for Councils to work effectively with our local MEPs in the future?

·  Has the demise of Yorkshire Forward resulted in a lack of lobbying for EU funds and how can this be addressed?

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a brief report providing the Scrutiny Board with an opportunity to ask Mr McMillan–Scott MEP for Yorkshire and Humber, a broad range of questions.

The following officer was in attendance:

-  Martin Dean – Head of Partnerships.

Unfortunately Mr McMillan-Scott was unable to attend the meeting due to adverse weather conditions.  His designated substitute, Ms Rebecca Taylor, MEP was also unable to attend due to a prior engagement over running.

Notwithstanding these absentees, the Scrutiny Board discussed with the attending officer the following areas;

·  How is the policy and priority setting at the EU level shaping up given all the pressures on the European Union?

·  Are there opportunities for Councils to work effectively with our local MEPs in the future?

·  Whether the demise of Yorkshire Forward resulted in a lack of lobbying for EU funds and how can this be addressed?

·  The ESF programme.

RESOLVED – That a series of written questions be sent to Mr McMillan-Scott for written responses.

Monday 22^nd April 2013 at 10.00am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30am.)

RESOLVED – To note the date of the next meeting as Monday 22^nd April at 10.00am with a Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am.

(The meeting concluded at 5.00 pm)