Agenda item

Report of the Managing Director

The Scrutiny Committee received a report of the Managing Director.  The Managing Director attended the meeting and asked the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider its role in the development of the Council.  He outlined his report.  Appendix 2 to the report asked ‘What kind of Council do we want to be?’  This section included key questions which would need to be addressed.  He added that the Executive wanted to ensure that however services were delivered the Council’s high standard of service delivery was maintained.  The Scrutiny Committee would not need to consider the technical aspects of service delivery or related costs.  Cabinet would be considering options put forward in the Spring.  The Managing Director said that it would be useful to have the Scrutiny Committee’s views to feed into this report.

The Chair commented that this was probably one of the most significant pieces of work the Scrutiny Committee would ever have to consider.  He felt that it was important that this review was carried out by the full Scrutiny Committee rather than setting up a separate task Group.

The Vice-Chair stated that he considered this a useful option.  Members would be able to understand the strategic implications.  He quoted the example of the reduction in the number of strategic directors.  He asked how the Council would maintain a coherent position as the directors brought together the different departments.  He referred to the Future Council update which stated that the Heads of Service would perform a corporate role; but there would be times when they would be concerned about their own services.

A Member agreed that the review should be carried out by the full scrutiny committee.  He said that the Managing Director had referred to the good practice with the SLM contractors for the leisure centres and the Housing Trust.  He reminded Members about the recent petition to Council and the concerns about the way SLM had responded to users.

Following a Member’s comments, the Managing Director advised that it was necessary to balance between the revenue cost base and maximising income.  The Council had a substantial property portfolio’ but commercial income was under pressure due to the current economic situation.  Watford, compared to many areas, was maintaining a stable position.  For example, Watford Business Park was fully occupied.  The Council had a vision for growth and wanted to stimulate the business economy.  Investment was being put into the infrastructure, which would produce significant returns to the Council in the long term.  He was asking the Scrutiny Committee to consider how the Council could manage its services in the medium term.

A Ward Councillor said that it was important to consider the services residents wanted, for example the bins being emptied and streets cleaned.  If the Council were to outsource services it was necessary to consider three areas;

            1 – service quality;

            2 – value for money;

            3 – democratic accountability. 

It was also necessary to consider the role of voluntary groups based in the community.

The Scrutiny Committee then discussed the practicalities of the review.

One Member said that it was easier to engage quickly as a smaller group.

The Chair replied that this was a good point.  It was necessary to work faster than the formal scrutiny committee.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer said that with large memberships it was more difficult to find dates to suit all Members.  Following a suggestion that call-in dates could be used, the Committee and Scrutiny Officer explained that there was only one meeting prior to the next Overview and Scrutiny Committee in February.  She suggested that it would be preferable to establish the group as a Task Group rather than the formal Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which had to meet Access to Information deadlines and the rules around quorums.

The Chair said that he wanted all Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be involved and suggested that the Chair and Vice-Chair should be the same as for Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  He felt there was sufficient information within the documents to produce the scoping document for the review.  The Committee and Scrutiny Officer would circulate possible dates for the first meeting.  He added that a questionnaire could be produced and circulated to other local authorities for their comments.

RESOLVED –

1.         that a Task Group be established comprising the Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to carry out a review into the future provision of council services.

2.         that the Task Group be chaired and vice-chaired by the Chair and Vice Chair            of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

3.         that the Committee and Scrutiny Officer circulates a list of possible dates for the first meeting.