Minutes:
The
Committee chose to scrutinise the following items:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
4.1 Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report
2016-2017
Members received information on the Strategic
Equality Plan Annual Report for 2016-2017.
Members queried whether Trade Unions had the
opportunity to contribute to the Plan and the work. Officers confirmed that
there is a sister document which reports on equality in employment and that report would
normally be received by the Council’s Personnel Committee.
Members queried how the Council would deal with the
links between the Council’s Well-being objectives and the Council’s equality
objectives. Officers explained that the forward plan for the Group that oversee’s the Plan would focus on establishing how well
embedded equalities has become in day to day service operations, rather than
there being a focus on new initiatives. This would assist in ensuring that the
Well-being Objectives and associated actions embraces
the equalities duties. Members were
interested in this approach and asked that the output of the series of audits
that had been proposed could be fed back to the relevant scrutiny committees
and cabinet boards.
In terms of the detail of the report, Members drew
attention to a number of apparent anomalies/errors in the report. On page 51 it
says (Insert Link). Officers confirmed that this was an error and undertook to
provide updated version for committee members.
In relation to the Welsh Language, officers confirmed
that a response had been submitted to the Welsh Government, based on the advice
provided by scrutiny members at their last meeting. Further updates would be
provided to the Committee as the Welsh Government releases details of how its
proposals would progress.
Members were pleased to note that the BME
development officer had been recruited and had began work to develop links with BME communities.
Officers advised that one of the first elements of work that had been
undertaken by the development officer concerned the production of a language
card. This was in response to feedback received from community members that
they were no always able to converse in English and as a result access to
services was impaired. In the event that a customer/resident were to identify
they were unable to conduct their enquiry through the medium of English, it was
noted that the Council subscribes to Language Line - a system that provides access to
translation in many different languages.. Members requested that arrangements
be made for Mr. A. Cameron who had taken up the role of development officer at
CVS to attend a meeting outside of the formal process to report on the progress
of his work.
Members queried whether the traffic light system in
the report accurately reflected the performance results. The members used
number 44 reference EQ7.8 as an example, it was highlighted that the number of
permanent exclusions during the academic year in secondary school had decreased
from the previous year. The direction of improvement was showing it had
decreased, however it was colour coded red which gives the impression that it
was not an improvement. Officers note this and confirmed that they would
correct this.
4.2 Half Year Progress Report – Corporate Governance Improvement
Action Plan for 2017/18 – Period 01.04.17 to 30.09.17.
Members received a half year update on progress made on the
Corporate Governance Improvement Action Plan for 2017/18. Members noted the
action plan which reflects the governance issues identified in the Council’s
Governance Statement for 2016/17.
Member’s asked that when they receive data they are never
made aware where the data has been generated from. Officers highlighted that a
heading could introduced in the report template
highlighting to officers the origin of the data be include for all reports.
Members raised concern about the comments that were raised
from the WAO in Council in regards to Corporate Risk Management. Members asked
whether officers had taken on board what the auditor had advised. Officers
highlighted that the strategic risks would be completed by the week ending 3rd
November 2017. It was noted that when the strategic risks are completed it
would be easier to keep the document up to date.
Member’s asked if officers were confident that the work
would address the issues raised by auditors. Officers highlighted that the work
will be completed, however, it is likely that as the Council embraces further
change, further work could be required in the future.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.
4.3 Community Councils Minor Projects Scheme Application –
Coedffranc Community Council
(Cllr. M. Harvey re-affirmed his interest in the item and
withdrew from the meeting for this item only)
Members had a brief overview of the grant to Coedffranc Community Council under the Council’s Minor
Projects Scheme.
Members’ asked for the details of the administration of the
scheme and were advised the Director of Finance and Corporate Services received
and reported on applications under the current criteria which are submitted to
members for consideration. This scheme had been in place for a number of years
and there was no current proposal to amend the scheme.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the
proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board.
4.4 Local Government Association Subscription
The Leader gave members an overview in regard to re-joining
the Local Government Association and ask them to
consider paying the annual subscription via the Welsh Government Association.
Members requested if approval was made by Cabinet Board to
re-join the Local Government Association then the costings be monitored on a
bi-annual basis by the Scrutiny Committee.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the
proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board.
4.5 Treasury Management Monitoring 2017/2018
Members received a brief overview of the treasury
management actions and information.
It was highlighted that there had not been much change
since the previous report on Treasury Management. However, it was noted that
the bank rates may rise in the near future and if there is any change the
details will appear in the next report.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.