Agenda item

CM 55           

Consideration was given to a report that set out a summary of the Peer Team’s findings.  The report also detailed the proposal to develop an Action Plan for considering and implementing the recommendations that arose from the Review.

In his introduction, the Leader advised that discussions had been held with the Leader and Deputy Leader of South Hams District Council and both had expressed their support for the formation of a Joint Member / Officer Working Group.  Moreover, the Leader highlighted the overall positivity of the Peer Challenge Report and felt that the Council should take great pride in the outcome.

In discussion, the following points were raised:-

(a)   As a Working Group, it was noted that there would be no requirement to apply the political balance rules and the Leader confirmed that it was intended that six Members (three from each Council) would be appointed to serve on the Group.  For absolute clarity, the Leader reminded Members that the intention was for the Working Group to solely focus on formulating the draft Action Plan prior to its presentation to the Hub Committee meeting on 19 March 2019.  In citing the recent good examples of joint working on the Leisure and Waste Reviews and the Joint Local Plan with South Hams District Council, some Members hoped that a Joint Steering Group could be re-established in the upcoming months;

(b)   In respect of the proposal to ‘prepare a viable future accommodation strategy’, Members were informed that it was intended that a detailed report would be presented to the next Hub Committee meeting on 19 March 2019 for further consideration;

(c)    A Member was disappointed at the lack of financial detail that was contained within the published Peer Challenge Report;   

(d)   A Member expressed her support for the findings whereby the Council needed to improve upon its engagement with local residents and businesses.  Also, the Member endorsed the need for the Hub Committee to improve upon its engagement with the wider membership. 

In reply, the Leader emphasised that it was the duty (and personal responsibility) of all Members to keep themselves informed through means such as: asking questions; speaking to officers and fellow Members; reading Committee agendas and minutes; and attending Committee meetings (regardless of whether or not they were a Member of that Committee).  With regard to Informal Council meetings, a request was made for consideration to be given to notes being taken at future sessions.

It was then moved by Cllr P R Sanders, seconded by Cllr L Samuel and, upon being submitted to the Meeting, was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that:

1.     the recommendations set out in the Peer Challenge Report (as detailed in Appendix A of the presented agenda report) be endorsed;

2.     agreement be given to the formation of a Member/Officer Working Group, jointly with South Hams District Council, with authority being delegated to the Leader of the Council to nominate the Member representatives for the Council; and

3.     the draft Action Plan be presented to the Hub Committee for approval at its meeting on 19 March 2019, with responsibility for the ongoing monitoring of progress against the Action Plan then being allocated to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.”