Background information

The Committee agreed a work programme to pursue during the year 2012 – 2013.  Members have been updated on progress as the year has progressed and this report represents the end of year position.  

Why is the item on the agenda?

This report highlights:

• The end of year position on the work programme.
• The progress of all recommendations made. 
• Statistics and comparative data.
• Issues that have arisen and new challenges.

Committee is asked to consider the information presented and set a further informal meeting to discuss issues in more detail. 

Attached alongside the work programme report is the latest version of the Forward Plan to allow members to express interest in any of the issues listed.

Who has been invited to comment?

The Principal Scrutiny Officer, will present this report and the Chair will give his view on the year.

What will happen after the meeting?

An informal meeting will be set to discuss issues further.  Any proposals or comments for the coming work programme will be presented for discussion by the committee members appointed in May.

Background information

The Scrutiny Committee set a Panel to consider the ambitions of the Council for its recycling service and what would be needed to improve on these ambitions.

Why is the item on the agenda?

This report sets out the progress and findings of the Panel so far.  Information is presented on the data gathered and comparisons made along with issues still to be explored towards further improvement.

The Panel asks to continue this work into the next programme.

Who has been invited to comment?

Panel Members

Sarah Clarigde – Democratic Services Officer

Phil Dunsdon – Waste and Fleet Manager

Councillor Tanner – Board Member Cleaner Greener Oxford

What will happen after the meeting?

If agreed the Panel will continue into the next programme.

Background information

The Council is involved in 2 pilot projects connected to Welfare Reform:

• Direct payments.
• Supporting claimants into work.

At the last meeting members asked to see further progress and any learning points.

Why is the item on the agenda?

This report highlights and gives details of the effects of these pilots within the claimant co-hort chosen.

In particular the committee was interested to see:

• The effects on rent arrears for participating tenants and the likely trends.
• Success and obstacles for supporting people into work.
• The lessons learnt.

Who has been invited to comment?

Paul Wilding – Benefit Operations Manager

Councillor Van Coulter – Board Member for Leisure Services (covering for Councillor Smith)

What will happen after the meeting?

Any comments from the committee will be passed for consideration in the coming work programme.

Background information

The Committees work programme included a continuing item to consider the Councils workforce and its match to the population of Oxford.  Members considered workforce data at their meeting in January and asked for further data on training.

Why is the item on the agenda?

The report presents details of the training strategy and its application. 

Members in particular wanted to understand how training budgets are or could be used to progress staff from under represented groups through the organisation.  

Who has been invited to comment?

Jarlath Brine – Equalities and diversity Business Partner

Simon Howick – Head of Human Resources and Facilities

Councillor Price – Council Leader

What will happen after the meeting?

Any comments from the committee will be passed to the Board Member and for consideration in the coming work programme.

Background information

The Localism Act 2011 included provisions for councils to reconsider their governance arrangements.  Oxford has reviewed its structures through a Cross Party Member Reference Group. 

Why is the item on the agenda?

Committee asked to pre-scrutinise the proposals from the Cross Party Member Reference Group that will be considered at the City Executive Board on the 10^th. April and passed to Council on the 22^nd. April for agreement.

The proposals are attached.

Who has been invited to comment?

William Reed – Democratic Services Manager.

Jeremy Thomas – Head of Law and Governance.

Councillor Price – Leader of the Council

What will happen after the meeting?

Any comments or recommendations will be passed to the City Executive Board and Council.