Agenda item

Agenda item

Progress with Panel work

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to review progress with Scrutiny Panels and update on the detail of the Scoping Document for the ‘Parking Enforcement and Enhancement’ Panel, following amendments recommended at the last meeting of the Commission on 13th January 2020.

 

Minutes:

A report of the Head of Strategic Support was considered to review progress with Scrutiny Panels and update on the detail of the Scoping Document for the ‘Parking Enforcement and Enhancement’ Panel, following amendments recommended at the last meeting of the Commission on 13th January 2020 (item 10 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Head of Strategic Support assisted with the consideration of this item. The following summarises the discussion:

 

      i.        Councillor Howe, Chair of the ‘Parking Enforcement and Enhancement’ informal scrutiny panel had met with the Head of Regulatory Services and the Democratic Services Manager. At that meeting, discussion focussed on the issues raised within the scoping document following the request for research into the legality, finance and resourcing implications, and the process of transferring powers in respect of parking enforcement from the County Council. It was established that there was no current legislation in place for Charnwood Borough Council to take on the powers relating to parking enforcement. The only power the Council has relates to its own car parks.

 

    ii.        It was also established that a Parliamentary Select Committee was looking into this matter and that the Devolution Bill currently processing through Parliament may impact upon the powers devolve from top tier Councils, such as Leicestershire County Council.

 

   iii.        The Commission felt there was real value in retaining the ‘Parking Enforcement and Enhancement’ scrutiny panel, as this was a substantial concern of residents across the Borough and the devolution of powers aspect was only considered to be one area of potential research.

 

   iv.        The ‘Waste Services and Waste Management’ scrutiny panel was progressing, and Councillor Rattray as Chair had identified some beneficial resources having made contact with Officers at North West Leicestershire District Council regarding a waste trial, as suggested by the Commission at its meeting on 9th December 2019.

 

    v.        Councillor Parsons as Chair of the ‘Digitisation and Transformation of Services’ scrutiny panel was due to meet with Officers on the 25th February 2020 in order to discuss the scope of the panel.

 

   vi.        Councillor Miah as Chair of the ‘Funding for Small Businesses’ scrutiny panel had been consulted on the initial concept of the panel. It was not likely that the scoping document would be complete in March 2020 as previously anticipated. The Commission was satisfied that the panel could be delayed.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That the Commission requests the scoping document for the ‘Parking Enforcement and Enhancement’ scrutiny panel be redrafted to focus on other areas of research outside of the devolution of powers from Leicestershire County Council.

 

2.    That Councillor Baines meet with the Head of Regulatory Services in order to gain information on the legality, finance and resourcing implications, and the process of transferring of powers, in relation to parking enforcement and enhancement. This information should be communicated at the next meeting of the Scrutiny Commission.

 

3.    That the following changes be made to the scrutiny panels:

 

·      Funding for Small Businesses (informal), which was due to start in February 2020, be deferred to April 2020.

 

Reasons

 

1.    To ensure the concerns of local residents are considered effectively.

 

1- 3. To ensure timely and effective scrutiny.

Supporting documents: