Agenda item

Report of Lorraine O’Donnell, Director of Transformation and Partnerships

The Chairman asked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer to speak to Members in relation to the Council Plan 2016-2019 – Refresh of the Work Programme (for copy see file of minutes).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained that the report highlighted work that had been undertaken by the Committee within the past year and also looked forward to seek suggestions from Members to be included within the Committee’s work programme for the forthcoming year.   Members were reminded that the aims and objectives were aligned to those of the Council Plan and associated plans, as well as the Safe Durham Partnership Plan priority areas.  It was explained that the report set out the current work programme, the in depth reviews looking at Alcohol and the Demand on the Emergency Services and Improved Safety In the Home – Safe and Wellbeing Visits, as well as the systematic reviews, focused scrutiny meetings and the areas of overview activity.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted possible areas for review, however, a further report would come back to Committee in June for Members’ consideration.

The Chairman thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer and noted it was good to see all of the work that the Committee had undertaken.  He added that cybercrime, especially in relation to the elderly, could be a topic for the Committee to consider.  Councillor J Maitland agreed that cybercrime was an important issue that should be kept high on the agenda.  Councillor J Armstrong added that he felt consumer protection was and important area to keep in mind, and the issue of the performance of the drug and alcohol service was also to be looked at.

The Chairman noted that reviews would need to be detailed and not look at national issues, however those issues could be looked at through focussed sessions.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that it would be possible to have such sessions, similar to those held in the previous year looking at ERASE, Substance Misuse and Road Safety, with a flexible approach to any emerging issues.

Resolved:

(i)            That the Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the information contained in the Altogether Safer priority theme of the Council Plan 2016 -2019.

(ii)          That the Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting first meeting of the 2017/18 Municipal Year, receive a further report detailing the Committee’s Work Programme for 2017 -2018.