APPENDIX 4

Minute of the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 11 March 2021

OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY FUNCTION REVIEW

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources as contained on pages195 to 236 of the Book of Reports, which was to consider the recommendations of the Member Development Commission following a review of the Overview & Scrutiny function at West Lancashire.

The Democratic Services Manager outlined the report and detailed the background and themes contained within.

Councillor Dowling, Portfolio Holder of Communities and Community Safety was invited to speak by the Chairman. He commented on the key points of the recommendations of the Member Development Commission held on 17 November 2020, including details of the possible development of a scrutiny system consisting of a variation of several Scrutiny Committees.

The Democratic Services Manager responded to questions raised by Members in relation to the scrutiny function review.

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

RESOLVED:

A. That an in-house 'Overview & Scrutiny at West Lancashire' training session be held each year following a local election with a further session on 'Best Practice Scrutiny' being arranged with an external trainer in the year that there are no local elections, as detailed in paragraph 6 below.

B. That Members of Overview & Scrutiny Committees be asked to submit questions in advance of meetings.

C. That scoring of topics should be scored by a Panel consisting of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Opposition Spokespersons.

D. That it be noted that Council at its meeting held on 24 February 2021, approved the timetable of meetings for 2021/22, to allow for Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee to be held prior to Cabinet, to accommodate pre-scrutiny, with a Special 'Call In' Meeting of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee being scheduled following Cabinet, to meet as and when required, as detailed in paragraph 7 of the report.

E. That no change be made to Constitution 9.2: Members’ Update Procedure Rules and the form for submitting Members Update Items, attached at Appendix 2 to the report, and information items continue to be reported via the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Members Update, subject to G below.

F. That Council be recommended to amend 'The Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules at Constitution 14' to read:

"Attendance by others

(a)  The leaders of the political groups on the Council shall be allowed to attend each Overview and Scrutiny Committee and to speak but not vote on any issue under consideration, with the consent of the Chairman."

G. That it be recommended that the terms of reference of the Member Development Commission be extended to review the number and remit of Overview & Scrutiny Committees at West Lancashire, including the Members Update procedure rules, by comparing Overview & Scrutiny structures of other similar Local Authorities, and submit recommendations to Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Council, if appropriate, which should include any additional staff resource required, with an implementation date of May 2022.