Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Parsons for whom Councillor M. Saunders was present as substitute.

To approve the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 26 March 2015, copy attached.

Councillor D. Saunders proposed, Councillor Campbell seconded and Members agreed the minutes of the Panel meeting held on 26 March 2015.

To approve the Minutes of the Extraordinary Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 28 April 2015, copy attached.

Councillor D. Saunders proposed, Councillor Campbell seconded and Members agreed the minutes of the Extraordinary Panel meeting held on 28 April 2015, subject to the inclusion of a question posed by Councillor Johnston to Councillor Wells.

Nick Hughes, Committee Services Manager introduced the report which outlined the work programme from the previous year and proposed a work programme for Members to consider for the 2015/16 year. 

It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (OSP) had previously agreed to ask that Full Council write to Kent County Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to request that they address the key questions of a petition regarding perceived changes to the QEQM Hospital A&E Services.  However due to recent proposed changes in health care provision it was agreed that the OSP should also maintain a watching brief and monitor any future developments.

Councillor D Saunders proposed, Councillor Coleman-Cooke seconded and Members agreed to establish the membership of the Working Parties/Task and Finish Groups with due regard to political proportionality.

Councillor D Saunders proposed, Councillor Campbell seconded and Members agreed the reconstitution of the following sub-groups;

a.  Community Safety Partnership Working Party;

b.  Corporate Performance Review Working Party;

c.  Electoral Registration Process Review Task & Finish Group.

Councillor D Saunders proposed, Councillor Campbell seconded and Members agreed that the Members Planning Protocol Review Task & Finish Group was not to be reconstituted, however a watching brief was to be kept to enable its reconstitution at later date if deemed necessary by the Panel.

Councillor Campbell proposed, Councillor M Saunders seconded and Members agreed that TDC Artefacts Management Review Task & Finish Group was not to be reconstituted, however a report should be bought to a future Overview and Scrutiny Panel regarding artefacts management, which looked in particular at the need for the employment of a part time archivist.

Members agreed that in order to establish whether a sub-group would be required, a report regarding the Winter Gardens should be bought to a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel.  The report should focus particularly on the provision of disabled access from the lower ground level to street level, signage at street level for parking facilities, and street signage for the venue.

Councillor Campbell proposed, Councillor M Saunders seconded and Members agreed that each of the sub-groups would have seven Members, consisting of four UKIP Members, two Conservative Members, and one Labour Member.

Councillor Campbell advised that he would be the Member representing Labour on each of the sub-groups, and it was noted that in the absence of nominations from the other parties on the evening, it was agreed that a request be made to the Conservative and UKIP Leaders.

Members noted that each of the sub-groups would have the opportunity to review their terms of reference at their first meeting.  Therefore, for the three reconstituted sub-groups, Members agreed that the terms of reference be as shown in annex two of the report with the exception that each sub-group would have its membership amended to seven Members.