Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme, as amended, be approved; and

(b)       That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Committee Chairman, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

The Democratic Services Manager presented the current Forward Work Programme for consideration.  The following changes were agreed:

·         The 2018/19 outturn report to be scheduled for July.

·         The pay modelling report, incorporating Councillor Woolley’s request on Job Evaluation Questionnaires and Job Descriptions, to be brought forward to May if possible.

·         To remove the Revenue Budget Monitoring report from May to enable focus on early closure of the accounts, with an update on capital and revenue to be received in July.

Councillor Woolley commented that his previous suggestion on the Asset Register should be a separate item from the Asset Management Plan which was due in October.  The Chief Executive asked that Councillor Woolley share the nature of his specific concerns if an earlier report was needed.

In response to Councillor Johnson’s query on the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, the Chief Executive said that the core work was under the remit of the Community and Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  He suggested that the approach to scrutinising key decisions on Reserved Matters be discussed with Overview & Scrutiny Chairs once the Heads of Terms had been agreed during the Summer.

Councillor Johnson asked about arrangements for scrutinising decisions by Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and receiving reports back from Council representatives on those groups.  The Chief Executive said that specific activities could be considered by the relevant Overview & Scrutiny Committees.  He suggested that the WLGA Leader and Chief Executive be invited to participate in a future Member workshop before the August recess to link with the Council’s work on the budget.

Councillor Roberts explained that he provided feedback to the Education & Youth Overview & Scrutiny Committee on the outcomes of national meetings that he attended in his capacity as Cabinet Member for Education.  Whilst welcoming the additional funding for repairs and maintenance in schools and the costs provided for teachers’ pensions, he raised concerns about the significant additional duties placed on schools and councils from Additional Learning Needs reform in Wales which was referenced in the next item.

Councillor Heesom welcomed further updates on the North Wales Growth Bid and encouraged all Members to access information on WLGA meetings.

It was acknowledged that the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee would maintain an overview and become involved in discussions as required.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Johnson and seconded by Councillor Axworthy.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme, as amended, be approved; and

(b)       That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Committee Chairman, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.