Minutes for Corporate Services Select Committee meeting, Jun 24 2009, 5.00PM official page

To provide an opportunity for members and officers to declare a personal or prejudicial interest in any item on the agenda.

An opportunity was provided for members and officers to declare a personal or prejudicial interest in any item on the agenda.

• Councillor Flo Clucas declared a personal interest in Use of Resources Self Assessment , so far as her involvement in European Union Structural Funds is concerned, and in respect of the Benefits Service Performance as a magistrate

• Councillor Claire Wilner declared a personal interest in the Benefits Service Performance by virtue of her employment

• Councillor Paul Clein declared a personal interest in the Assistant Executive Member Responsibilities as the spouse of an Assistant Executive Member

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April.

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April.

Agreed that the minutes be approved.

To consider the adoption of a work programme for the committee.

A draft programme is attached

The Committee considered the adoption of a work programme for the current municipal year.

Agreed that the work programme attached as an appendix to this minute be approved and referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To consider whether any Scrutiny Panels should be established by the committee.

Note:

• at the last meeting the committee indicated that a Scrutiny Panel in respect of Liverpool Direct Limited would be established

• when establishing a Scrutiny Panel the committee should agree the membership, a lead officer, the terms of reference and the duration of the panel

• in addition, because of the wider monitoring role of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Chair of that committee has requested that any decision to establish a Scrutiny Panel includes a justification for the appointment, an indication of the corporate aim it relates to and what the added value for the Council will be.

The Committee considered whether any Scrutiny Panels should be established by the committee.

The Committee was advised that :

• at the last meeting the committee indicated that a Scrutiny Panel in respect of Liverpool Direct Limited would be established

• when establishing a Scrutiny Panel the committee should agree the membership, a lead officer, the terms of reference and the duration of the panel

• in addition, because of the wider monitoring role of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Chair of that committee has requested that any decision to establish a Scrutiny Panel includes a justification for the appointment, an indication of the corporate aim it relates to and what the added value for the Council will be.

Agreed that -

a)     A Liverpool Direct Scrutiny Panel be established as follows -

§         The Panel comprise 5 members on the basis of 3 Liberal Democrat and 2 Labour and names be submitted to Committee Services

§         Peter Cosgrove be nominated as the lead officer for the panel

§         The panel be established, in the first instance, until the meeting of this committee on 30 September when the LDL review report is due to be considered

§         The purpose of the Panel is to support the current review of LDL namely to examine the transparency around our processes and approach, to take stock of what we are achieving within the partnership and how this fits with the future direction of the Council and the achievement of the Council’s corporate Aims and to ensure the joint venture is fit for purpose and is delivering value for money 

b)     The Overview and Scrutiny Committee be advised accordingly; and

c)      The Chief Executive of LDL be invited to make a presentation to the next meeting of the committee.

To consider, as requested by the City Council, the allocation of responsibilities to the Assistant Executive Members.

The Committee considered, as requested by the City Council, the allocation of responsibilities to the Assistant Executive Members.

Agreed that the following responsibilities be noted –

Assistant Executive Member

Responsibility

Councillor Jan Clein (AEM Finance and Europe)

All aspects of the collection of income to the Council

Councillor Graham Hulme (AEM Corporate Performance)

Performance indicators, value for money reviews and the performance of the Council

AEM Ethical Governance

(Councillor Roger Johnston subject to  confirmation at the City Council on 8 July)

The tracking of motions submitted to the Council

To consider information in relation to the Use of Resources self assessment and the associated key lines of enquiry.

The Committee considered information in relation to the Use of Resources self assessment and the associated key lines of enquiry.

Robert Corbett (City Treasurer) introduced the report. He made reference to the individual self assessment which is attached to the key lines of enquiry and the action plans which are being prepared to achieve the required improvement.

During the discussion which took place, the following issues were raised –

• The status of the report

• The implications of a general election for the Multi Area Agreement

• An explanation of “place shaper” in relation to community leadership

• The early engagement with Select Committees on the consideration of budget proposals

• The reduction in the reliance of time limited grant funding

• The choice based lettings system

• Whether the work which is being carried out in respect of relationships will extend to joint ventures

• The internal approval process for capital projects

• The financial threshold in the scheme of delegation to officers

• The establishment of the Asset Register and the review of the Tribal Asset Management System

• The arrangements for the disposal of properties as part of the Building Schools for the Future proposals

Agreed that -

a)     The contents of the report be noted taking account of the issues raised at the meeting; and

b)     A request be made to the Executive Director for Community Services to provide information for members of the committee on the outcome of any scrutiny of the property pool. If scrutiny has not taken place, the Sustainable Communities Select Committee be requested to consider the establishment  of a scrutiny panel for this purpose.

To consider the Occupational Safety and Health Unit’s Annual Report for 2008/9 and the Action Plan for 2009/10.

The Committee considered the Occupational Safety and Health Unit’s Annual Report for 2008/9 and the Action Plan for 2009/10.

Steve Hall (Corporate Health and Safety Manager) introduced the report.

During the discussion which took place, the following issues were raised –

• The categorisation of the causes of accidents

• The training provided for health and safety representatives

• Whether health and safety representatives could also assume responsibility for the consideration of environmental issues

• The responsibility for health and safety issues in schools other than community schools

• The national trends in relation to accidents

• Long term and short terms sickness referrals

Agreed that -

a)     The contents of the report be noted;

b)     Consideration be given to whether internal meetings between health and safety representatives could also become a forum for the consideration of environmental issues;

c)      Information be provided for members of the committee in relation to –

§         who has responsibility for the development and delivery of inspection and audit services for all schools, other than community schools, which are the responsibility of the City Council

§         the number of instances where a successful claim has been made against the City Council

d)     Future progress reports to the committee also include a comparison with the figures for the previous year.

To consider information in relation to the performance within the Revenues Service for the final quarter of 2008/09 and for the first two months of 2009/10.

The Committee considered information in relation to the performance within the Revenues Service for the final quarter of 2008/09 and for the first two months of 2009/10.

Phil Robinson (Head of Revenues Service) introduced the report.

During the discussion which took place, the following issues were raised -

• The provision of an electronic database in respect of students at John Moores University

• The action which has been taken to ensure compliance with the bailiffs’ charter

• The level of increase in the total amount collected during 2008/09

• The present position in relation to the rating of dock properties

Agreed that -

a)     The contents of the report be noted; and

b)     The congratulations of the committee be extended to the staff for achieving “gold” for its commitment to equalities.

To consider information in relation to –

·        Benefits Service performance for the financial year 2008/09 and in the early part of the new financial year 2009/10;

·        The effects of the recession upon demand for the Benefits Service;

·        The major developments affecting the Benefits Service;

·        The impact of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in its first year of operation; and

·        Service improvements achieved in the last year and planned for the year ahead.

It

The Committee considered information in relation to –

·        Benefits Service performance for the financial year 2008/09 and in the early part of the new financial year 2009/10;

·        The effects of the recession upon demand for the Benefits Service;

·        The major developments affecting the Benefits Service;

·        The impact of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in its first year of operation; and

·        Service improvements achieved in the last year and planned for the year ahead.

Martin Jungnitz (Head of Benefits Service) introduced the report.

During the discussion which took place, the following issues were raised –

§         The impact on landlords of tenants who now receive payment direct from the Council

§         The target for the processing of new claims

§         The timescale for the introduction of the electronic claim form

§         The service’s request for additional funding to better respond to current demand

§         The implications for the budget of Liverpool Direct of the transfer of new applications for student loans to the Student Loans Company

§         The increase in applications for free school meals and clothing grants

§         The proposed review of overpayment administration

§         The level of Local Housing Allowance rates

Agreed that –

a)     The contents of the report be noted; and

b)     Information be provided for members of the committee on the increase in applications for free school meals and clothing grants.

To consider a response to an amendment moved by Councillor Radford which was approved at the meeting of the City Council on 28 January 2009.

The Committee considered a response to an amendment moved by Councillor Radford which was approved at the meeting of the City Council on 28 January 2009.

Peter Cosgrove (AED Corporate Systems) introduced the report.

During the discussion which took place, the following issues were raised - 

• Whether the factors affecting the span of control have been applied to the Council’s Business Units

• The reduction in, and allocation of the budget for advertising expenditure

• Whether there has been a review of the augmentation of pensions

• A view that the report does not address all of the issues contained in the decision of the City Council  

Agreed that the matter be referred back to the officers for a further report to the next meeting.

To receive information in relation to decisions which have been taken under the scheme of delegation to officers.

Robert Corbett (City Treasurer) advised the committee that he had taken a decision on the following issues under the scheme of delegation to officers –

• Arena and Convention Centre – pensions admitted body status in relation to the Merseyside Pension Fund

• Authorisation of no further action to pursue a debt owing to the Council due to the debtor being deceased and there being no possibility of recovery

• Approval of a project to be funded by the Local Authority Business Growth Initiative Scheme Year 3

• Agreement of the banking contract

Agreed that –

a)     The decisions taken by the City Treasurer be noted; and

b)     In future, a written report be circulated for presentation to the committee.