Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre

Contact: Karen Wardle, Democratic Support Officer  Tel:- 023 8083 2302

Items
No. Item

12.

Apologies and Changes in Panel Membership (If Any)

To note any changes in membership of the Panel made in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.3.

Minutes:

The Committee noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillor Keogh and Fuller from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillor Tucker and Houghton to replace them, respectively for the purposes of this meeting.

13.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting (including matters arising) pdf icon PDF 50 KB

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2015 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.

14.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the following item requested for discussion from the Forward Plan, attached.

 

·  The Future of the Southampton Library Service

·  Developing Proposals for Devolved Powers and Responsibilities

·  Consultation on proposed changes to the General Fund

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the items requested for discussion from the current Forward Plan.

 

A.  THE FUTURE OF THE SOUTHAMPTON LIBRARY SERVICE

 

Denise Wyatt (Millbrook Library), Dr Wendy Leeks, Siobhan Watson (Burgess Road Library Buddies), Tim Forcer, Anneliese Walker, Lindsi Bluemel, Ann MacGillivray, William Stacey (Cobbett Road Library) and Councillor Pope were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

 

RESOLVED that:

(i)  Cabinet defer the 18 August decision to Full Council on 16 September;

(ii)  the Cabinet Member give a commitment that no libraries would close until an alternative provider is in place;

(iii)the Cabinet Member clarifies the Executive’s position with regards to the disposal of the buildings should the libraries close;

(iv)the Cabinet Member explore opportunities to recharge appropriate costs to the Housing Revenue Account;

(v)  the Cabinet Member look again at options relating to sharing library services with other local authorities;

(vi)the Cabinet Member explore funding opportunities to supplement library funding from other sources such as pupil premium and health service; and

(vii)  an update be provided to the Committee at a future meeting with examples of best practice relating to community led libraries.

 

NOTE: Councillors Tucker and Jordan declared a personal interest in the matter set out in the report.  Councillor Tucker was a board member of the Arts Council South West and Councillor Jordan was a board member of Plus You Limited.  Thornhill Library was occupied under a licence with Plus You Limited.

 

B.  DEVELOPING PROPOSALS FOR DEVOLVED POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Councillor Pope was present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee expressed support for outline proposals relating to the pensioner bus pass scheme, discussed at the meeting, where potentially a nominal charge might be introduced to enhance the sustainability of services.

 

C.  CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE GENERAL FUND

 

Councillor Pope was present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

 

The Committee expressed concern regarding the forecast overspend for 2015/16 and sought an explanation as to why this had occurred.

 

RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer circulate a monthly financial monitoring report to the OSMC to enable the Committee to effectively scrutinise the Council’s budget.

15.

Making Southampton a Dementia Friendly City - Scrutiny Inquiry Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services requesting that the Committee agree the terms of reference for a scrutiny inquiry examining how Southampton can become a dementia friendly city, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services requesting that the Committee agree the terms of reference for a scrutiny inquiry examining how Southampton could become a dementia friendly City.

 

It was suggested that the following be included within the inquiry programme:

·  Fareham high street - the first dementia friendly high street;

·  work of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on social care; and

·  examples of dementia friendly communities, for example Torbay and Plymouth.

 

RESOLVED

(i)  that the draft terms of reference for the scrutiny inquiry be approved; and

(ii)  that authority be delegated to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Scrutiny Inquiry Panel, to finalise the inquiry plan.

16.

Monitoring Scrutiny Recommendations to the Executive pdf icon PDF 61 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the actions of the Executive and monitoring progress of the recommendations of the Committee, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the actions of the Executive and monitoring progress of the recommendations of the Committee.

 

An update was provided to the Committee on the outstanding items in Appendix 1.  It was reported that the Leader would circulate an email to all members of the Committee in relation to advice provided on the closure of Woodside Lodge.  It was confirmed that all residents of Woodside Lodge were supported and that they had not incurred any additional cost as a result of the closure.  The proposal for a new facility on the grounds of Woodside Lodge was being led by the Council’s Estate Regeneration team.  The aim was for Cabinet to consider the proposals on 17 November 2015, subject to approval by the Council’s Capital Board.