The views of the Committee are requested concerning topics to be included in this year's scrutiny work programme

The Chair referred to his discussions with the spokespersons and outlined his suggestions on items for inclusion in the committee’s work programme for the current municipal year:

(i)  Green Growth – to progress the notice of motion that was approved at the Council meeting on 18 April, 2011 (minute 126);

(ii)  Business Start Programme – development of a more targeted approach;

(iii)  Use of the European Social Fund to provide employment opportunities;

(iv)  Inward Investment – map activity against the government’s priorities for growth. In this connection, the Director reported that he was preparing a report on the Regional Growth Fund highlighting those areas where the government would give additional mentoring and support.

(v) Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMRI) – development of plans to address the reduction in funding.

The Chair emphasised the need for members to be involved in the scrutiny function and he asked the spokespersons to let him have their nominations for the above workstreams.

The Director suggested that it may be useful to arrange a tour of regeneration and housing sites e.g. housing schemes, Wirral International Business Park and Wirral Waters.

Councillor G Davies, Cabinet Member (Housing and Community Safety) commented on the issues raised during the earlier discussion regarding affordability and suggested that a tour of the housing schemes would enable members to see the cleared sites, repair schemes and new affordable homes that were built to a very high specification e.g. the Sevenoaks development in Tranmere.

The Forward Plan for the period June to September 2011 had now been published on the Council’s website and Members were invited to indicate to the chair or party spokespersons whether scrutiny should take place of any items contained within the Plan.

Resolved –

(1)  That the proposed work programme for the current municipal year, as outlined by the Chair, be approved

(2)  That the Director be requested to make the necessary arrangements for a tour of regeneration and housing sites in consultation with the Chair and spokespersons. 

The views of the Committee are requested concerning topics to be included in this year's scrutiny work programme

The Chair referred to his discussions with party spokespersons chief officers regarding issues that were likely to be significant over the next twelve months.  The following issues were identified for scrutiny by this committee:-

Meeting Date Work Areas to be scrutinized

June 17 Work plan discussion and agreement by Committee

September (date to be confirmed)  Housing Strategy

November 24 Update on Housing Strategy consultation

 Invest Wirral including the support of business in the present economic circumstances  

 NGA Broadband

January 12  Child Poverty Needs Assessment

   Outcomes from projects and programmes currently receiving funding and then to define the

  future outcomes to be achieved. (Programmes include Working Neighbourhoods Fund, Future

 Jobs Fund, HMRI, Business Start and Business Support Programmes)

March 14 Review of work programme

Members indicated their wish to continue at each meeting the confidential verbal updates on regeneration issues. There was an opportunity for members to raise additional items with the Chair, and any urgent items could also be considered.

Performance reports, covering the remit of the Scrutiny Committee, would continue to be given on a quarterly basis.

The Forward Plan for the period July to October 2010 had now been published on the Council’s intranet/website and Members’ were invited to indicate to the chair or party spokespersons whether scrutiny should take place of any items contained within the Plan. Any urgent items could also be considered.

Resolved – That a work programme listing the reports from chief officers on key issues during the year and the progress of major development schemes form the basis of the committee’s work programme for the current municipal year.

The views of the Committee are requested concerning topics to be included in this year's scrutiny work programme

The Chair referred to his discussions with chief officers regarding issues that were likely to be significant over the next twelve months.  The following issues were identified for scrutiny by this committee:-

Wirral’s response to the recession

Taking forward the Investment Strategy

Power and Infrastructure

Housing Market Renewal

Choice Based Letting

Homelessness

There was an opportunity for members to raise additional items with the Chair, and any urgent items could also be considered.

In addition to the above, members asked for a regular verbal update on major development schemes.

In view of the comprehensive workload and additional responsibilities attached to this committee, members asked the Director of Corporate Services to prepare a printed work programme.

Resolved – That  a work programme  listing the reports from chief officers on key issues during the year and the progress of major development schemes form the basis of the committee’s work programme for the current municipal year.