There were no apologies for absence.

There were no disclosures of interests.

The following decision taken on 10 October 2016 by Cabinet has been called in:

Investment in Watford’s Adventure Playgrounds

The reason for call-in, signed by 3 members, is as follows –

“Alternative funding arrangements were not properly examined and given a chance, including the proposals drawn up by S.W.A.P.  Their proposals and other funding streams and ideas used by other councils need to be looked at.”

The following documents are attached –

(a)    Proforma requesting the call-in of the decision signed by Councillors Joynes, Bell and Mills received 18 October 2016

(b)    Call-in procedures to be followed

(c)     Extract of the minutes of Cabinet on 10 October 2016

(d)    Report to Cabinet from the Head of Community and Customer Services

(e)    Appendix A to the report (Equality Impact Analysis)

(f)     Appendix B to the report (Overview of the designs for Harwoods and Harebreaks Adventure Playgrounds)

(g)     Revised appendix B (Updated overview of design for Harebreaks Adventure Playground)

(h)    Appendix C to the report (Examples of the equipment for each site)

(i)      Appendix D to the report (Attendance figures for the period January – June 2016)

(j)      Additional document circulated to Cabinet: S.W.A.P’s Business Plan

(k)     Additional document circulated at Cabinet: Hertfordshire County Council’s position

The Cabinet decision taken on 10 October 2016, minute reference 38, regarding ‘Investment in Watford’s Adventure Playgrounds’ had been called in by Councillors Joynes, Bell and Mills.  The reason for the call-in had been included in the agenda.  The scrutiny committee had received a copy of the report to Cabinet, additional documents circulated at Cabinet, the minutes from Cabinet’s meeting, the completed call-in request and the call-in procedures.

Following a brief introduction by the Chair, Councillor Dhindsa, the Legal and Democratic Section Head was asked to explain the role of the committee.

The Legal and Democratic Section Head explained about call-in and the scrutiny committee’s role in considering the call-in request.  In addition he confirmed the scope of the call-in as set out in the request by the three councillors.  The call-in procedures, which were to be followed, were included with the agenda.  He reminded members that there were two possible decisions that could be made.  The first could be to ratify Cabinet’s original decision; Cabinet’s decision could then be implemented immediately.  The other was to refer the decision back to Cabinet giving reasons why Cabinet should re-consider its decision. 

Councillor Joynes was invited to present the reasons for calling in Cabinet’s decision.

Councillor Joynes informed the scrutiny committee that the call-in was about two matters.  The first was to consider if there had been a proper examination of the SWAPs proposal.  She advised that staff had asked for any criteria for any potential proposal they may wish to make.  They had been told they only needed to present a rough draft.  The staff presented a professional proposal and showed that they were serious in their intention to save the playgrounds.  The staff were then told that their proposal was not acceptable as it did not meet the criteria.  She then referred to the Cabinet report and quoted the comments contained in it about the proposal.  It was felt that it would have been fairer if the staff had been invited to talk about the proposals with senior officers and a solution may have been found to keep the playgrounds open.  She questioned whether the issue of rent to the council had been taken into account.  She had asked for further details of the criteria which had been provided to the staff.  She had been informed that the aim was to ensure the playgrounds were sustainable and open longer.

Councillor Joynes stated that she had asked for information about the £1.25/£1.4 million and how it would be dispersed.  She quoted the information she had been given, some of which had been estimated.  She then referred to the use of capital funds and referenced the comments made by Councillor Watkin at the Cabinet meeting.  She advised that it was possible to use capital funds flexibly and quoted from draft guidance published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).  She said that one area that stood out for her was ‘service reconfiguration, restructuring or rationalisation, leading to service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.