Agenda item

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review the current version of the work programme.  It is also asked to consider whether any Task Groups should be established and to agree the terms of reference and scope for the review.

The Scrutiny Committee received a report of the Legal and Democratic Section Head including the new scrutiny proposal form and details of five suggestions that had been submitted for review.

The Scrutiny Committee considered each of the suggested scrutiny topics and where available, the Head of Service’s comments.

Recruitment of ex-offenders and disadvantaged youths

The Chair noted the Head of Human Resources’ response.

The Vice-Chair suggested and it was agreed that the subject could be referred to the Community Safety Partnership Task Group to look into this from a general aspect and not just related to the Council.

Hospital Parking and its high charges

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer informed the Scrutiny Committee that she was still awaiting confirmation of the response from the Managing Director.

The Vice-Chair suggested that the review could incorporate other modes of transport and alternative modes of transport for staff.  He did not think the scope should be too wide or too narrow.

A Member commented that this was a national issue and that the charges were not out of kilter with other hospitals.

Another Member said that the review could be carried out as a partnership scrutiny as visitors to the hospital were not only from the Watford area.

A Member said that the review should be carried out without delay by Watford Councillors.  The review should consider whether the parking arrangements took care of people’s needs.

The Scrutiny Committee then discussed the membership of the Task Group and the scope.  The Chair advised that he would work with the Vice-Chair on the scope, which would then be circulated to all Scrutiny Committee members.  The Committee and Scrutiny Officer would email all Councillors and ask them if they wished to participate in the review.  The scope and membership would be formally agreed at the next meeting.

A Member asked how many Task Groups it would be possible to have in operation at any one time.  The Democratic Services Manager replied that it was suggested that there should be no more than two Task Groups.  This would not include that Community Safety Partnership Task group.

The Chair suggested and it was agreed by the Scrutiny Committee that the second Task Group should be about property leases.  He would work with the Vice-Chair on the scope and this would also be agreed at the next meeting.

Bin Collection Service in narrow streets

One Member felt that the review was too narrow.  He was concerned about bins being left on the street throughout the day which was a security issue and affected all areas.  He did not believe that residents were not aware of the special assistance scheme.

The Vice-Chair suggested that a representative from Environmental Services could go to the Railway Terrace Residents’ Association’s meeting to discuss this matter.  The Scrutiny Committee could then consider whether to establish a Task Group once the Gladstone Road trial scheme had been completed and the Residents’ Association had talked to officers.

The Chair suggested that if Members were aware of any particular ‘hot spots’ Members could provide the information.  It was important to establish the facts prior to deciding whether to review the current system.  Further information would be provided at the next meeting.

Parking in narrow terraced streets by large commercial vehicles

The Head of Planning’s comments were noted and it was decided not to take this suggestion any further.

Use of Cassiobury Park

The Head of Community Service’s response was noted and it was agreed that this subject would be re-considered at a later date.

A Member said that he had been invited to the Cassiobury Park Steering Group.  The Committee and Scrutiny Officer advised that she would contact officers and provide Members with information about the role of the Steering Group.

RESOLVED –

1.      that a Task Group be established to review “Hospital parking and its high charges” and the scope to be presented at the next meeting.

2.      that a Task Group be established to review property leases and a scope to be presented at the next meeting.

ACTION: Committee and Scrutiny Officer