Maidstone Borough Council

Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Future Work Programme and Forward Plan of Key Decisions

Report of: Overview & Scrutiny Officer

1.      Introduction

1.1        To consider the Committee’s future work programme and the Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

1.2        To consider the update on the work programme given by the Overview and Scrutiny Officer.

 2.     Recommendation

2.1        That the Committee considers the draft future work programme, attached at Appendix A, to ensure that it is appropriate and covers all issues Members currently wish to consider within the Committee’s remit. Items on the draft future work programme, highlighted in red, are provisional items for the Committee to approve.

2.2        That the Committee considers the sections of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions relevant to the Committee and discuss whether these are items require further investigation or monitoring by the Committee.

3       Future Work Programme

3.1    Throughout the course of the municipal year the Committee is asked to put forward work programme suggestions.  These suggestions are planned into its annual work programme.  Members are asked to consider the work programme at each meeting to ensure that remains appropriate and covers all issues Members currently wish to consider within the Committee’s remit.

3.2        The Committee is reminded that the Constitution states under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules number 9: Agenda items that ‘Any Member of an Overview and Scrutiny Committee or Sub-Committee shall be entitled to give notice to the proper officer that he wishes an item relevant to the functions of the Committee or Sub-Committee to be included on the agenda for the next available meeting. On receipt of such a request the proper officer will ensure that it is included on the next available agenda.’

4       Forward Plan of Key Decisions

4.1    The Forward Plan for 1 July 2012 to 31 October 2012 (Appendix B) contains the following decisions relevant to the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee’ s current work programme and terms of reference:

• Empty Homes Plan Scoping Report;
• Public Gypsy & Traveller Site: process update;
• Localism & the Community Right to challenge and bid;
• Policy changes for New Waste Collection Contract; and
• Empty Homes Plan.

5.      Working Groups Update

5.1    At its first meeting of the Municipal Year the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee appointed Members for two review Working Groups: Water and Waste Water and Youth Services.  The Committee should consider the verbal updates given by both Working Groups and make recommendations if appropriate.

6.      Impact on Corporate Objectives

6.1     The Committee will consider reports that deliver against the     following Council priority:

·         ‘For Maidstone to be a decent place to live.’

6.2     The Strategic Plan sets the Council’s key objectives for the medium   term and has a range of objectives which support the delivery of         the Council’s priorities.  Actions to deliver these key objectives may      therefore include work that the Committee will consider over the       next year.