At its meeting on 4 February 2010 (minute 298 refers), the Cabinet considered a referral from the Scrutiny Programme Board (minute 37 – 14 January 2010) in relation to the operation of the Forward Plan, which requested the Cabinet to agree to the following –

(a)  That officers include within the Forward Plan a more informative narrative of the key decisions to be taken, together with more accurate timescales.

(b)  That, for a short trial period, Chief Officers be required to submit to the next appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee a brief explanation of new items included in the Forward Plan.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported that at its meeting on 4 February 2010 (minute 298 refers), the Cabinet considered the referral from the last meeting of the Board (minute 37 (14 January 2010) refers) in relation to the operation of the Forward Plan, which requested the Cabinet to agree to the following –

(a)  That officers include within the Forward Plan a more informative narrative of the key decisions to be taken, together with more accurate timescales.

(b)  That, for a short trial period, Chief Officers be required to submit to the next appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee a brief explanation of new items included in the Forward Plan.

He reported that the Cabinet (minute 298) resolved –

(1)  That officers include within the Forward Plan a more informative narrative of the key decisions to be taken, together with more accurate timescales.

(2)  Cabinet notes that Overview and Scrutiny Committees set their own agenda and can call on officers to present additional reports to meet their requirements.

For information, the Director presented a list of new items that had been included in the Forward Plan for the period1 April to 31 July 2010.

Resolved –

(1)  That the decision of the Cabinet be noted.

(2)  That Chief Officers ensure that all new items to be included within the Forward Plan include an informative narrative of the key decisions to be taken, together with more accurate timescales for decisions to be taken.

At its meeting on 14 January, the Scrutiny Programme Board received a report from the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reviewing the operation of the Forward Plan. It was resolved:

“ That, in order to make the Forward Plan more user-friendly and to assist the scrutiny function, the Cabinet be requested to agree to the following –

(a)  That officers include within the Forward Plan a more informative narrative of the key decisions to be taken, together with more accurate timescales.

(b)  That, for a short trial period, Chief Officers be required to submit to the next appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee a brief explanation of new items included in the Forward Plan.”

At its meeting on 14 January, the Scrutiny Programme Board received a report from the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reviewing the operation of the Forward Plan. It was resolved:

“ That, in order to make the Forward Plan more user-friendly and to assist the scrutiny function, the Cabinet be requested to agree to the following –

(a)  That officers include within the Forward Plan a more informative narrative of the key decisions to be taken, together with more accurate timescales.

(b)  That, for a short trial period, Chief Officers be required to submit to the next appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee a brief explanation of new items included in the Forward Plan.”

RESOLVED: That

(1)  Cabinet resolves that officers include within the Forward Plan a more informative narrative of the key decisions to be taken, together with more accurate timescales.

(2)  Cabinet notes that Overview and Scrutiny Committees set their own agenda and can call on officers to present additional reports to meet their requirements.