Members are asked to consider whether they have personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they are.

Members are reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they are subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Members were asked to consider whether they had personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were.

Members were reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they were subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

No such declarations were made.

Councillor Mrs Meaden (Vice-Chair) advised the Board that she was in the Chair, as Councillor H Smith had been unable to attend the meeting on account of ill-health.

Resolved – That the best wishes of the Board be accorded to Councillor H Smith for a speedy recovery.

The views of the Scrutiny Programme Board are sought with regard to the allocation of the Call-In Notice in relation to the Parks and Countryside Services Procurement Exercise (PACSPE) – Invitation to Tender/Project Scope Definition (Cabinet minute 287 (13 January 2011) refers), which has been submitted by the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor S Foulkes and Councillor P Davies.

It is entirely a matter for the Board whether it chooses to consider the Call-In itself, or to refer it to one or more of the themed Overview and Scrutiny Committees. Members should note that the call-in should be considered by overview and scrutiny no later than 18 February 2011. In anticipation of the Board allocating the call-in notice to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, consultations have taken place with the Chair and spokespersons for that meeting to take place.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management sought the views of the Scrutiny Programme Board with regard to the allocation of the Call-In Notice in relation to the Parks and Countryside Services Procurement Exercise (PACSPE) – Invitation to Tender/Project Scope Definition (Cabinet minute 287 (13 January 2011) refers), which had been submitted by the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor S Foulkes and Councillor P Davies.

He commented that it was entirely a matter for the Board whether it chose to consider the Call-In itself, or to refer it to one or more of the themed Overview and Scrutiny Committees. The Call-In was required to be considered by overview and scrutiny no later than 18 February 2011 and, in anticipation of it being allocated to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, provisional arrangements had been made for that meeting to take place on 17 February 2011.

Resolved – That the call-in notice in relation to the Parks and Countryside Services Procurement Exercise (PACSPE) – Invitation to Tender/Project Scope Definition, be referred to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for determination.

Further to minute 41 (2) (5 January 2011), the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management presented a report upon the key elements of the Localism Bill, and highlighted information contained within it, particularly in relation to overview and scrutiny. He proposed that his report should be read in conjunction with two Policy Briefing documents that had been produced by the Centre for Public Scrutiny (see minute 53 post).

On a motion by Councillor Mrs Meaden and seconded by Councillor Davies, it was –

Resolved – That in the light of the Motion and Amendment in relation to Democratic Reform and Localism, to be debated by the Council on 14 February 2011, consideration of the report of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management be deferred to a future meeting of the Committee.

In accordance with minute 41 (5 January 2011) (attached), the Committee is requested to give consideration to two Policy Briefing documents produced by the Centre for Public Scrutiny, in relation to matters contained within the Localism Bill.

Further to minute 41 (5 January 2011), the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management presented two Policy Briefing documents produced by the Centre for Public Scrutiny, in relation to matters contained within the Localism Bill, which he proposed should be read in conjunction with his report on the implications for scrutiny of the Localism Bill (see minute 52 ante).

Resolved – That consideration of the briefing documents be deferred to a future meeting of the Committee.