Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision: The report reviewed progress made with area working during the year of the participation pilot, and set out the next steps.

 

Decision of the Leader:

 

The Leader resolved to:

 

        i.            Endorse the assessment of the North Area Committee participation pilot set out in Appendix 1 of the officer’s report.

      ii.            Promote area committee member and community engagement with devolved decision making particularly in relation to the development of the Area Needs Assessment and prioritisation of related local priority projects

    iii.            Support the proposed community engagement mapping exercise.

 

Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the officer’s report

 

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the officer’s report

 

Scrutiny Considerations

 

The committee received a report from the Head of Corporate Strategy.

 

The committee made the following comments on the report:

 

        i.            Highlighted the importance of meeting management, agenda structure, venue choice and effective facilitation skills with the proposed new ways of working.

      ii.            Raised concern that briefings for the South Area Committee were not open to opposition members.

    iii.            Highlighted the need for increased publicity and promotion, and for the ‘Open forum’ section to be at the start of the meeting.

 

In response to member’s questions the Head of Corporate Strategy confirmed the following:

 

        i.            The Members Working Group had decided that, as all four Area Committees were very different, the report should not be too prescriptive. The goal was greater engagement and it was up to each of the Area Committees to decide what aspects of the pilot would work most successfully in their area.

      ii.            Over 100 members of the public had attended meetings of the North Area Committee in January and March.

 

In response to member’s questions the Leader confirmed the following:

 

        i.            The North Area Committee had been chosen for the pilot as, based on social indicators, it had the most to gain from improved community development and engagement.

      ii.            It was difficult to compare each of the Area Committees, as demographically they were very different.

    iii.            The success of the pilot could only be judged by a comparison of the North Area Committee pre-pilot.

   iv.            The report simply gave an assessment of the pilot and it was now up to individual Area Committees to take on board any good practice that could benefit their areas.

     v.            A chairing skills session for Area Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs, Spokes and relevant officers would be organised in September.

 

The Scrutiny Committee considered and approved the recommendations by 4 votes to 0.

 

The Leader approved the recommendations.