Maidstone Borough Council

Scrutiny Coordinating Committee

Thursday 10 July 2014

Cross Cutting Issues

Report of: Christian Scade

1.          Introduction

1.1        The terms of reference for the Scrutiny Coordinating Committee includes developing mechanisms for addressing cross cutting issues to prevent duplication in the work of individual committees.

2.          Recommendation

2.1    That the Scrutiny Coordinating Committee agree a lead Committee and/ or joint scrutiny arrangements for the following scrutiny suggestions:      

(a)         The Night Time Economy. This was put forward as a review topic by Economic and Commercial Development OSC and an issue for consideration by Community, Leisure Services and Environment OSC (acting as the Crime and Disorder OSC) in relation to violent crime at night.       

(b)         Using the River Medway. During the 2013/14 municipal year the Economic and Commercial Development OSC suggested fees for using the river should be reviewed. In addition, two suggestions have been received as part of the recent work programme workshops. These relate to looking at ways to make the river more accessible and the “river’s aesthetic merit”.

(c)         Employment implications arising from a review of the Economic Development Strategy, a qualitative study on employment sites and key employment issues arising from local plan representations

3.          Matters Covering More Than One O&S Committee  

3.1        Within their terms of reference (see agenda item 9) Overview and Scrutiny Committees will:

(a)         Review and/or scrutinise decisions made or actions taken in connection with the discharge of any of the Council’s functions. This would include looking at decisions after they have been implemented;

(b)         Make reports and/or recommendations to the full Council and/or the Executive and/or any Committee in connection with the discharge of any functions (the decision making powers remains with the original decision taker);

(c)         Consider any matter affecting the area or its inhabitants; and

(d)        Exercise the right to call in, for reconsideration, executive decisions not yet implemented by the Executive and/or any other Committees or officers.   

3.2        From time to time, matters may arise which fall within the remit of more than one Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, set out in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, state:

“In such instances, one of the relevant Committees may decide to establish a working group which can be made up of representatives from the appropriate committees. The Report will be considered by the appropriate committee following the opportunity of all other appropriate committees to comment, before it is forwarded to the Executive for a response.

Before submitting its findings to the Executive and/or Council for consideration, the report of the reviewing Overview and Scrutiny Committee shall be considered by the other Overview and Scrutiny Committee for comment. Those comments shall be incorporated into the report which is then sent to that body for consideration.

If a single committee decides to examine an issue that falls within the remit of another committee, its report shall be passed to the other relevant committee(s) for comment before its findings are submitted to the Executive and/or Council for consideration. Those comments shall be incorporated into the report which is then sent to that body for consideration.”

3.3        During the June/July committee meetings, and future work programme workshops, a number of cross cutting issues were identified – these are listed at 2.1.

3.4        The role of the Scrutiny Coordinating Committee is to address overlap by agreeing a lead committee for each issue and/or by identifying opportunities for joint working.

4.          Impact on Corporate Objectives

4.1        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 Scrutiny Coordinating Committee will consider throughout the coming year.

4.2        The Scrutiny Coordinating Committee will consider reports that deliver against all the Council’s priorities: For Maidstone to have a growing economy, For Maidstone to be a decent place to live and Corporate and Customer Excellence.

5.          Background Documents  

5.1     None