Rocke
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A mixed week that wasI hope this week's update doesn't contain a faux pas like wot I done last week !
I discovered how careful one has to be regarding Licencing matters ( and Planning, though I've nothing to do with that ).
You'll probably realise that one has to be fair and impartial when helping make decisions on matters that affect the public. That actually extends to being seen to be fair and impartial. Which in turn means making no comments at all on licencing matters before meetings, because there'll always be someone who could say 'his mind was made up because he said ( or did ) this'.
Yep, should have kept my keyboard locked regarding the adjourned Licencing Meeting I mentioned last week. It was adjourned wasn't it, not over.
OOPS !!
For my sins I got woken up less than 3 hours into my ugly sleep after coming off a long evening shift. Alwyn, one of the officers that advise Members on constitutional matters, protocol and general standards pointed out 'pre-determination' ie. whoever 'lost' the decision would probably have cause to complain about possible unfairness due to my mind being made up ( in this case both sides would because of course I thought both parties hadn't made it easy by making late submissions ).
That's it then, I have to disqualify myself from that particular matter. Just shows how careful one has to be.
A lesson learned anyway.
Wednesday was FIP ( Finance, Improvement and Performance ).
We had an update on ensuring that all employees who should have CRB checks do.
It came up at a previous meeting and 3 of us ( Cllrs. Collier, Trollope and me ) pointed out what were thought we potential loopholes. We had a useful 'barnstorming' session with Chris, our Head of Personnel and as a result there's going to be a couple of changes.
A quick example - a cemetery worker might be the regular absence deputy for a parky. Parkies obviously need a full CRB check due to contact with the whole spectrum of people. A cemetery worker doesn't - but should have one if they become a parky. As a result all known - and possible - standins for employees who require CRB checks will now be done.
That's an example of Improvement, now how about this for Performance ?
We have a whole shed-load of 'performance indicators' to help us guage whether the Council and its individual parts is performing efficiently, effectively and meeting the needs of people in terms of the way services are provided.
Examples:
** Percentage of Benefit Claims still outstanding after 50 days.
If these are over the target we then seek to understand why. Perhaps the information given to claimants as to what info. we need isn't clear and their claims are delayed because they haven't provided documents.
** Percentage of invoices not paid within 30 days.
We need to pay on time because it affects small companies ( and it's law in some instances ). Perhaps departments are sitting on them instead of passing them to Finance.
** Availability if IT systems.
The council - like most organisations - gets paralysed if there's a 'computer problem'. We need to ensure we reduce the impact of such problems.
However, the one that caused a really good and in-depth debate was this one:
** Attendence at Meetings ( specifically Scrutiny Committees ).
It's important that full debates take place and Members have a responsibility to do their utmost to represent their constituents and put their views over.
Each Scrutiny Committee has 15 members ( 10 ruling group, 5 opposition by proportionality ).
I think setting a target of 15 is a bit steep since there'll almost always be an instance of a Member's unavailability - work, health, other meeting etc.
Anyway, Ed & Leisure ( I'm Vice Chair ) was best with 12, with the other committees ( I'm on 3 of the other 4 ! ) varying between 9 and 11.
We have had instances of 7 or 8 - just about half.
Cllr. Lyn Elias started a really good debate, stating his unhappiness at the low levels of attendence. It's not only committee attendance but also the very useful training given as well.
Lyn advocated paying half the Allowance as it is now, in effect a salary, and then a maximum of the other half based omn attendence levels. Colin ( Exchequer Manager ) said that apparently the independent body that sets Members Alowances are soliciting views on this very idea.
Lyn hadn't stopped for 2 seconds before it's my turn, and the committee got another 3 or 4 minutes of berating low levels of attendence. I advocate publishing details of councillors' attendence as well as 'expenses' annually. Surprise, surprise the Independent Review body are also suggesting it. Hopefully you'll have that info. with next year's pay details.
Every Member present agreed and it was agreed to make a recommendation that this whole area be looked at. We are accountable to the public and that doesn't mean the public have to drag it out of the Council - it should be freely given.
Each and every councillor should be able to explain and answer any question a constituent asks regarding their performance.
Oh - almost forgot.
There were 9 out of 15 members of the Committee there.
8 out of 10 of the possible Partnership team, and Cllr. Trollope from the Labour Group's 5, only one of which sent apologies.
Thursday was 'get ready for Tuesday's Ed & Leisure' pre-meeting.
I like these meetings because I can be a complete Opposition Advocate, coming up with the things I'd ask if I were in opposition.
It's not as sneaky as you think. The more I think of the more our officers are prepared. There's been a few times when Members have asked for info and as a result of our pre-meetings we've pre-empted the request and the Members ( all of them ) have been able to have the information and answers there and then, rather than wait.
This weekend and Monday I need to sleep, since next week's busy.
I warn any of the readers of these 'blogs' that next week's will be rather long - I'll probably break into parts.
Before I have ( you get ) a break there's a Leisure Briefing Mon ( debrief Aberfest & Blues perhaps ), Tues it's Ed & Leis, Weds morning special Council ( Swine Flu, Indoor Bowls - oh, and the Standards Ctte report on the circumstances surrounding Cllr Daniels' suspension ), Weds afternoon Regen, Thurs Environment & Public Protection and Friday Chairs and Vice Chairs brainstorming about how to improve the Scrutiny process.
( Yes, we're there to influence and question the decision makers, not to blindly support our colleagues on the Executive and Leadership ).
I'm knackered already............
Cheers everyone.
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