Agenda and minutes

Pursuant to the Council’s constitution the appointment of the following substitute Member was reported: - Councillor J Stirling for Councillor B Burdis.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Resolved that minute of the meeting held on 13 January 2020 be confirmed;

To receive Quarter 3 position of key 2019/20 projects and business cases within the overall Efficiency Savings Programme.

The Head of Resources attended the meeting and presented the Quarter 3 position of the Efficiency Savings Programme as at 31 December 2019.

The overall savings requirement for the 2019/20 business cases was £10.533m.

The update set out each project that would deliver the required savings whilst delivering priority outcomes within the agreed Efficiency Plan.

The position showed;

·         £1.923m had been achieved and coded out in the general ledger;

·         £4.310m was forecast to be achieved;

·         £1.400m of mitigation towards the total savings requirement had been identified; and;

·         £2.900m was still to be achieved.

The high-risk nature of the £2.900m savings still to be achieved had been recognised and was reflected in the 2020-2024 medium tern financial plan.

It was AGREED that the Efficiency Savings Programme: 2019/20 Quarter 3: progress be noted.

To provide an update report on the progress that has been made to delivering the Our North Tyneside plan.

The Committee was provided an update report on the progress on delivering the Our North Tyneside Plan.

It provided an overview of performance from the start of the plan and identified activities that the authority had agreed to pursue in the future.

There were several issues that North Tyneside faced similar as to other parts of the country and comparator information was provided on national and regional performance.

Progress on key areas was provided which included;

·         A greater increase than the national position for Supporting 71% young people to be ready for school

·         An increase in the recycling rate and a 45% reduction in the Councils carbon footprint

·         The delivery of 1,471 affordable homes in the borough

·         400k more tourist visits in North Tyneside

·         Increases in number of people in work and businesses in the borough.

The report also recognised that the refreshed Our North Tyneside Plan had updated priorities in relation to the declaration of a climate emergency and the role of the North of Tyne Combined Authority.

A Member asked what action was being taking to ensure good performance across the borough. In response the Head of Corporate Services stated that work was underway that would develop action plans for targeted areas.

Members asked and it was agreed that further information with regards to KS2 and SEN expected level in attainment be provided.

A Member questioned and it was agreed that an updated position would be provided in respect of the position of the percentage of Secondary Schools rated good or Outstanding by OFSTED.

It was raised if the works on Salters Lane had been completed as there were concerns to the condition with the cycle way in that location. It was stated that the developer had a plan in place for the development completion. It was requested and agreed that this would be shared with Members of the Committee.

A member requested information to the number of electric charging points available for public use in the borough. It was agreed that this would be provided to the Members of the Committee.

It was Agreed that the Our North Tyneside Plan update be noted; and (2) the father information requested be circulated to Committee Members.

To receive the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2019/20 and progress the next steps in the approval process for the annual report.

The Committee was provided the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2019/20. The reported provided information to the policy development work and monitoring undertaken by the sub-committees during 2019/20.

It was Agreed that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2019/20 be noted.

The purpose of the report is to inform the Committee of the work that will take place during the period March – June 2020.

The Committee received a report that requested it to delegate the Engie Sub-group to forward its report and findings to Cabinet if its work was completed before June 2020.

It was Agreed to delegate the Engie Sub-group to progress its report to Cabinet if completed before June 2020.

To receive Capita Quarter 3 Performance Update & preparations for Year 8 Benchmarking

The Committee received the Quarter 3 (Q3) update of the Capita Performance.

In relation to the operational update, the Partnership’s Major Schemes Board had been refreshed to focus on strategic goals rather than on the operational detail of individual schemes. Information was given to the range of Capital projects that were corporately monitored by the Investment Programme Board.

Operational Achievements were presented which included:

·         Continued accreditation following an external audit of Building Control

·         Trading Standards/Police seizure of illegal fireworks

·         Strategic property offers for Point Pleasant Industrial Estate

·         Food Safety team prosecution

·         December free parking arrangement

·         Completion of the sustainable travel improvements along the A189 Salters Lane

·         Staff -Customer Service award

·         Cabinet approval of the Highways Asset Management Plan

Within the People Update, the Committee were informed of several achievements of employees who had been appointed, completed and or gained qualification in several service posts. Members were also provided a copy of the Learning on the job with an apprenticeship booklet that provided further detail to individual employee’s progress through their apprenticeship.

The Committee was updated to the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity that the partnership had provided charitable support during Q3.

Performance scorecards were reported for each of the following service areas:

· Property Services

· Engineering Services

· Regulatory Services

It was Agreed that the Technical Services Partnership - Capita Quarterly Update be noted.

Resolved that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having applied a public interest test as defined in Part 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 & 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having applied a public interest test in accordance with Part 2 of Schedule 12A the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The Committee received the Capita Quarterly financial position information.

It was Agreed that the Capita Quarterly financial position information be noted

To consider nominations for recommendation to Annual Council for final consideration

The Overview, Scrutiny & Policy Development Committee received a report, which outlined the process for the award of the Freedom of the Borough and sought approval of the eligible nominations submitted.

The Committee was required to assess any nomination submitted and make a recommendation to Annual Council on 21 May 2020 for final consideration.

Any nomination for the award of Freedom of the Borough of North Tyneside must be persons/organisations of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the borough and have either:

a) lived in the borough; or

b) worked or been based in the borough; or

c) been born in the borough.

Agreed that the two nominations recommended for the Award of the Freedom of the Borough be submitted to Annual Council on 21 May 2020 for final consideration.