Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either a

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last ordinary meeting held on 5 March 2020 and the special meetings held on 1 July 2020 and 22 July 2020 as a true and correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2020 and the special meetings held on 1 July 2020 and 22 July 2020 were signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

To advise the committee of the arrangements for reporting performance in 2020/2021.

Ms Kate Aldridge, Head of Commissioning reported that the Council’s performance indicators had been revised to reflect the unusual performance year caused as a result of the pandemic. She advised that the indicators were being presented to the Scrutiny Leadership Board for input on any other areas Members might wish to see measured and explored as part of the overall reporting process. She added that the draft report from the Corporate Peer Review that had taken place in early 2020 had been received and had recommended that greater prominence be given to organisational resilience.

Ms Ruth Henshaw, Corporate Performance Officer presented the indicators in relation to Priority 1: ‘Economy – maximise growth and opportunity across Blackpool’ and highlighted the suggested changes made from the previous indicators within the priority. Members queried whether it would be possible to record the number of people who had applied for universal credit because they had been furloughed. In response, Ms Henshaw advised that she was unsure whether the reasons why new claimants had applied for universal credit was recorded and that she would explore this as a possibility.

In regards to housing, the Board queried whether it would be possible to make suggestions regarding the questions asked during the Blackpool Coastal Housing (BCH) tenant’s survey to include thoughts on carpets and other soft furnishings being removed prior to each change in tenant and the extent to which tenants were allowed to decorate inside and outside of their home to gain a broader view of satisfaction. Ms Aldridge advised that she would contact BCH in order to determine whether further questions could be asked during the survey and how the extent to which tenants could redecorate was determined and report back to Members.

The Board discussed economic development in detail and queried whether the indicators could be further developed to encompass gross domestic product, human poverty and digital literacy with a view to producing what the local economy could and should look like. Ms Aldridge suggested that a more detailed conversation take place on this particular issue outside of the Board meeting in order to identify how best to incorporate such thoughts as indicators.

The Board went on to consider the indicators in relation to Priority 2: ‘Communities – create strong communities and increase resilience’. In relation to the priority of ‘supporting families to provide stable home lives’, Members expressed an interest in expanding the indicators to include the number of looked after children both within the borough and surrounding area in comparison to the number being looked after outside of the area and the number of children being cared for by foster carers rather than in other forms of care. It was considered that this indicator would tie in to the recently approved strategy regarding foster care.

It was noted that it was not yet clear how data regarding educational attainment would be provided and the indicators relating to education might require further review. There was absolutely the intention to record educational attainment, however,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To set out the proposals for budget and financial scrutiny for the financial year and beyond for Members’ consideration and approval.

Mrs Sharon Davis, Scrutiny Manager presented the proposals for financial and budget scrutiny to the Board.

The Scrutiny Leadership Board approved the proposals to be put in place with immediate effect.

To consider the workplans of the Board and Scrutiny Committees, the impact assessment of the Whole System Transfers of Care Scrutiny Review and the update provided on the Community Engagement Strategy.

The Chairman invited updates for each of the Chairs in attendance on the work of their Committees.

The Chair of Audit advised that focus remained on the impact of Covid and the financial sustainability of the Council. He noted that there were no current issues for referral from the Audit Committee to scrutiny.

In regards to the work of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee, the Chair of the Committee reported that Members were ensuring the whole of Children’s Services was reviewed with regular consideration of the Youth Offending Team and Children’s Social Care improvement as well as education matters. The Committee had also recently provided input into the 10-Year Education Strategy.

The Chair of the Tourism, Economy and Communities Scrutiny Committee advised that Members’ focus remained on economic recovery from Covid, tourism and regeneration. The Committee was also regularly reviewing progress made towards the declaration of a climate emergency. He added that the Housing and Homelessness Scrutiny Review had been resumed following a break due to the pandemic and would be concluded shortly.

In regards to the work of the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee, the Chair advised that the Committee continued to focus on improvement following the Care Quality Commission inspection at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and transfers of care. She added that the special meeting on mental health services had been rearranged and would take place on the 19 October 2020.

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Leadership Board commended the work of the Committees and highlighted the recent input into the development of the Tree Strategy and the impact assessment carried out on the Whole System Transfers of Care Scrutiny Review.

The Scrutiny Leadership Board:

1)     Approved its workplan for 2020/2021 subject to the inclusion of the agreed budget and financial scrutiny proposals.

2)     Noted the workplans of the three Scrutiny Committees.

3)     Noted the update from the Chair of Audit.

4)     Noted the updates on the Community Engagement Strategy.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as the informal meeting to be held on 10 December 2020, commencing at 6pm.

The date and time of the next meeting was noted as the informal meeting on 10 December 2020, commencing at 6.00pm.