Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships – presented by Tom Gorman, Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager, Transformation and Partnerships.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer referred Members to the report in the agenda papers relating to the Review of the Committee’s Work Programme for 2017-18 (for copy see file of minutes).

Members noted the report set out the work programme for the year ahead and suggested topics for review, though Councillors were reminded of the need to include some ability to look at any emerging issues within the year and the need to complete reviews in a timely fashion, prior to the purdah period.  The Committee noted that Appendix 2 set out the work programme and priorities and noted that an issue that had been put forward for consideration as a focused review was Cybercrime, notable a potential gap in the work being currently undertaken, in preventing young people becoming offenders.  It was noted that the Chief Fire Officer, and Co-opted Member, S Errington had noted arson and deliberate secondary fires as an issue in certain areas of the County and that that could be an topic for the Committee to have a focussed session to discuss. 

The Chairman noted the suggested topic of Cybercrime, with the Vice-Chairman, Councillor H Liddle proposed to chair the Working Group.  Members agreed.  The Chairman noted the issue of secondary fires and Members agreed as regards a focussed session to look at this topic.

Councillor J Charlton asked that the secondary fires session also look at the aspect of derelict buildings and such fires, this was noted by the Chairman.

Resolved:

(i)           That the Work Programme at Appendix 2 to the report be agreed.

(ii)          That the review topic of Cybercrime be agreed.

(iii)         That arrangements be made for a focussed meeting to be held on the issue of arson and deliberate secondary fires.