Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

At this point Members must declare whether they have an interest, whether personal or prejudicial, in any of the items on the agenda. Members must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2010 were approved.

To receive a report from the Governance Officer summarising the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Commission in the 2009-2010 year and outcomes of this work.

The Commission received a report from the Governance officer which provided the Commission with a brief review of the scrutiny work undertaken, and the outcomes of this work, in the 2009-2010 municipal year.

The Commission also received the following responses in relation to recommendations from the previous meeting:

Play Provision:  A play strategy is being written by the Open Spaces Team who will work with the Neighbourhood Managers to ensure the Community Action Planning process is taken in to account when the strategy is developed. 

The Neighbourhood Manager (Citywide) intends to liaise between the Recreation Manager and the Greater Peterborough Partnership and the Parishes on the strategy to ensure the Villages’ needs, aspirations and vision, are incorporated where possible.

Business, Employment and Training:  The Greater Peterborough Partnership have been working with the Council to design a questionnaire for residents and businesses in the rural areas.  This is currently out for consultation with the Parishes, and it is anticipated that the outcome of the questionnaire and accompanying report will be the subject of a future report to the Commission later in the year.

Following discussion, it was agreed that the Women’s Enterprise Centre and the Rural Housing Strategy be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

The Commission is requested to determine its priorities for the forthcoming year and prepare a work programme for effective scrutiny of these areas.

The Commission received a presentation from the Chairman which sought to inform the Commission’s work programme for the forthcoming year.

In response to questions raised by Councillors, the Lawyer (Education Children Services and Adult Social Care) agreed to investigate the process by which people were allocated affordable housing.

The Commission agreed to include the following in its Work Programme for the 2010-2011 year:

To receive the Forward Plan of key decisions for the period 1 June 2010 – 30 September 2010 and identify any items for possible inclusion in the work programme.

The Commission received the latest version of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions (1 June to 30 September 2010) and was asked to identify any items it wished to consider at a future meeting.

The Commission identified the following items for inclusion in its work programme:

• Passenger Transport Framework Tender  requirements for special educational needs and mainstream school contract
• Floating support Contract: Cross Keys Homes Extension of Contract

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Commission for Rural Communities is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 13 July 2010.

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Commission for Rural Communities was scheduled to be held on 13 July 2010.