Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive which presented an updated work programme for the Committee for 2013-14 (for copy see file of Minutes).

Councillor Hall referred to the Suicide Prevention Strategy, which was shown as TBC in the work programme and asked when this would be produced.  The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer replied that suicide prevention had been identified as a key issue and potential priority in the Council Plan 2012-2016.  The work programme was an overview report to Committee, from which more focussed work would be undertaken.  Discussions on the Suicide Prevention Strategy needed to take place with the Director of Public Health, following which the work programme would be updated.

Mrs Thompson queried why safeguarding children was not included on the work programme.  The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer replied that this fell within the remit of the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s work programme and details could be forwarded to Mrs Thompson when this was being considered by that Committee.

Councillor Gunn informed the Committee that, in light of current welfare reform and rising unemployment,  the Suicide Prevention Strategy should be a priority in any future work programme.  The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer replied that this may fall within the remit of other Scrutiny Committees as well as this one, for example, Children and Young People’s and Economy and Enterprise.

Councillor Stradling informed the Committee that the work programme was a ‘best guess’ guide for the forthcoming year, and would change as the year progressed.

Resolved:

That the work programme be approved.