Minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 28th November, 2005 be approved as a correct record.

Further to Minute No. 2 of the previous meeting held on 28th November, 2005, the amended terms of reference were received.

Lee Adams presented the submitted report indicating that the Corporate Improvement Plan had been developed to help focus the Council on its capacity to ensure it could deliver its corporate priorities and provide the best possible services to the public. It also took account of the new CPA framework.

The report provided an update on the progress made to date on each of the actions within the Plan. Overall, good progress had been made as reflected in the recent audit and inspection letter for 2005.

The report provided an overview of the key tasks to complete prior to the corporate assessment. Overall, there was strong evidence that the Council was addressing many of the recommendations. However, there was evidence of slippage and areas of risk and these were highlighted.

The Board considered the themes and areas of focus and particular discussion related to :-

-          communication about the work of the partnership with communities and Council staff

-          awareness raising of governance issues

-          ensuring effective reporting of risk management and registers

-          procurement strategy

-          strengthening area assemblies

-          integrating financial reporting into performance reporting

-          monitoring of performance indicators in the lower and middle CPA thresholds

-          PDR evaluation and compliance

-          ongoing Gershon savings

-          complaints system

-          needs assessment : Children and Young People’s Services

Resolved:- (1) That the information be noted.

(2) That further reports be submitted on :-

(a) communications in general, including issues relating to the Local Strategic Partnership

(b) political leadership and management

(c) Gershon savings

(3) That Councillor S. Wright (Cabinet Member) and Sonia Sharp ( Senior Executive Director) of Children and Young People’s Services be invited to the next meeting of the Board to discuss areas of focus relating to the Service.

Lee Adams submitted a draft proposed structure in preparation for dealing with the corporate assessment.

Suggestions were made regarding the membership in respect of the Internal Challenge Lead/Member Interface. It was noted that the draft structure would be considered by Corporate Management Team after Christmas.

Also submitted was a task chart and timescales grouped into areas of work covering:-

-          self assessment stage

-          evidence stage

-          communications

-          logistics

-          Inspection

It was noted that the Inspection would be taking place in June 2006 although the exact dates were unknown. The Corporate Assessment would last two weeks and JAR would last longer.

Discussion ensued on likely interviewees.

Lee Adams submitted two further documents :

(a) CPA 2005 Key Lines of Enquiry for Corporate Assessment

It was noted that this would be used as a working document and was structured around the themes.

(b) Learning from Corporate Assessment – The Harder Test

Lee Adams summarised briefly the submitted paper on lessons learnt from recent corporate assessment experiences covering :

-          preparation phase

-          pre on site phase

-          on site

-          writing up

-          general preparation on how to conduct ourselves

-          what shape are we in for corporate assessment

-          recommended actions for the Council

Resolved:-  That this matter be considered further at the next meeting.

Resolved:- (1) That the next meeting be held on Monday, 6th February, 2006 commencing at 9.00 a.m.

(2) That the agenda for the meeting to be held on 6th February, 2006, shall include Children and Young People’s Services, communication issues and possible interviewees.