Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The Chairman invited the Overview and Scrutiny Officer to speak to Members in relation to the Council Plan 2014-2017 - Refresh of the Work Programme for the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee (for copy see file of minutes).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officerreminded Members that the Committee considered a report at the last meeting outlining a draft Work Programme for the Committee.  The report had provided detail of the activity undertaken by Members in 2014/15, highlighted areas to be brought forward for inclusion in the 2015/16 Work Programme and additional areas identified under the ‘Altogether Wealthier’ priority theme of the Council Plan.  The proposed Work Programme for the Committee for 2015/16 was attached at Appendix 2 for approval by the Committee and in addition, Members were asked to suggest an area for focused scrutiny review.  It was noted two areas were suggested by Members, apprenticeships which was already included within the Work Programme via a Special Meeting, and skills development within County Durham.

The Chairman noted that the report set out a comprehensive work programme for the Committee, the need to retain flexibility in respect of any emerging issues and that potential topics for scrutiny review included apprenticeships and skills development in County Durham.  It was added that Members could come back to the Overview and Scrutiny Officer with any additional suggestions, and the Chairman noted that the “Skills Gap” was an issue that was noted at Committee regularly and therefore suggested that employability and skills would be a useful and relevant topic for review.

Councillor A Patterson noted the number of special meetings and additional dates for the diary and asked whether it would be preferable to have a greater number of scheduled meetings in a year and requested if Members could receive early notice of special meetings.  The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that the dates of additional meetings would be circulated to the Committee as soon as possible.

Resolved:

That the Committee agree the Work Programme as set out at Appendix 2 to the report.