Agenda item

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources as contained on pages 205 to 216 of the Book of Reports, which was to consider the Work Programme Topic Selection for the Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2022/23.

The Democratic Services Manager outlined the report and explained that arrangements are put in place inviting Members, Corporate Management Team (CMT), Parish Councils and members of the public the opportunity to submit topics for selection as a review on the Work Programme of the Committee for 2022/23.

She explained that any person that submits a possible topic is given the opportunity if they wish to verbally elaborate and explain their suggested topic to the scoring panel prior to scoring. 

She also explained that the timetable allows sufficient notice to enable Parish Councils to fit in with their Parish meetings, in order to give them full opportunity to participate.

A Motion, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken the Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:   A.      That arrangements be put in place to request items for the Work Programme 2022/23 from Members, Corporate Management Team (CMT) and Parish Councils and by inviting members of the public to submit topics via the press release and by the inclusion of an article on the Council’s web-site.

B.      That the timetable attached at Appendix A for establishing the Work Programme for the Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2022/23 be agreed.

C.      That the Press Release attached as Appendix B be approved, subject to the wording detailed in the first two paragraphs of the press release (Appendix B) being amended to read:

"West Lancashire Borough Council is inviting you to contribute towards setting the agenda for delivering improvements that can benefit the residents of West Lancashire.

The Council is inviting you to submit Topic suggestions for consideration for inclusion in the Work Programme of their Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2022/23. Through its work, the Committee will bring forward appropriate recommendations to Cabinet and Council which can influence future decisions on policy and important decisions the Council may make."

D.      That all potential topics received by the deadline be published on the Council’s web site.

E.      That following the deadline for receipt of potential topics, the Lead Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Conservative and Our West Lancashire Spokesperson be requested to score, at a virtual meeting, each of the topics using the agreed selection criteria set out at Appendix C, with the person submitting the topic being given the opportunity to attend that meeting and provide reasons for the submission.

F.      That a report on the Work Programme for 2022/23 together with the results of the scoring exercise, be considered at the next meeting of the Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee to select which topic/s are to be selected for In-Depth Review.

G.      That the timetable attached at Appendix A for establishing the Work Programme for the Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2022/23 be agreed, subject to the Press Release being circulated in the New Year to allow for a better response.