The report considered by the Scrutiny Programme Board at its meeting on 28 February, 2012, and the paper, ‘New Legislative Framework’ from the Centre for Public Scrutiny, are attached for the committee’s information particularly in relation to the implications arising from the Health and Social Care Bill.

See minute 63 ante.

Further to Minute No. 23 of the last meeting of the Scrutiny Programme Board, Members considered a report by the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management that included a summary of the document produced by the Centre for Public Scrutiny, putting the proposed legislative changes into a Wirral context.  The report examined the provisions of the Localism Act, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act and the Health and Social Care Bill and drew conclusions from the new legislation about the future of scrutiny.  It was noted that the report discussed only the implications on scrutiny.  It did not cover some of the wider implications of the legislation.

The Board discussed the report at length and paid particular attention to the Police Reform and raised concerns about the dispersal of funds by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the possible resulting impact on anti social behaviour.  It also made reference to the Family Safety Unit which was substantially funded by the Wirral Community Safety Partnership.  It was proposed that the Board could look at the funding of these services on Wirral as this was a period of time when there would be significant change.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the content of the report be noted;

(2)  all Members of the Council be sent a copy of the report to raise their awareness of the implications of the legislation;

(3)  the report be referred to the Democracy Working Party for consideration; and

(4)  the dispersal of funds by the Police Crime Commissioner and the funding of the Family Safety Unit be considered further when the Board reviews its Work Programme later on the agenda (Minute No. 36 refers).