Agenda and minutes

The Overview and Scrutiny Board is asked to appoint a Vice Chair for the Municipal Year 2018/19.  The Vice Chair will chair the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting in the absence of the Chair.

RESOLVED that Councillor Ball be elected Vice Chair for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

There were no apologies for absence received.

There were no public questions received.

The Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 6^th March 2018 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 6^th March 2018 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the following appointments to Outside Bodies and the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee be approved:

a)    Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust – Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 3 places (2 RA + 2 subs + 1 Main Opp + 1 ordered sub)

Labour (2)                                             Lib Dem (1)

Briggs                                                   Heffernan

McLaren                                               H. Gloster (Sub)

b)    Pennine Care NHS Trust – Joint Mental Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 3 places (2 RA + 2 subs + 1 Main Opp + 1 ordered sub)

Labour (2)                                             Lib Dem (1)

McLaren                                               Heffernan

Toor                                                     H. Gloster (sub)

Taylor (sub)                                         

c)     GM Joint Health Scrutiny Committee – 1 place (RA + 1 sub)

Labour (1)

McLaren

Ball (sub)

d)    Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee (6 place – 5 RA + 1 Main Opp)

Labour (5)                                             Lib Dem (1)

          Ball                                                       Williamson

          Leach

          McLaren

          Taylor

          Toor

2.       The following appointments to GMCA Scrutiny bodies be noted:

a)    GMCA Corporate Issues and Reform Overview & Scrutiny – 1 place RA Nomination (GMCA to agree final membership)

Labour (1)

McLaren

b)    GMCA Economy, Business Growth and Skills Overview & Scrutiny (GMCA Executive to agree final membership)

Labour (1)

Leach

c)     GMCA Housing, Planning and Environment Overview & Scrutiny (GMCA Executive to agree final membership)

Labour (1)

Larkin

d)    GMCA Overview and Scrutiny Substitute Pool Nominations (GMCA to agree final membership)

Labour (2)                                             Lib Dem (1)

Goodwin                                               H. Gloster

Ur-Rehman

3.       The following be appointed Statutory Co-opted Members for Education Matters (with voting rights):

          Rev. Jean Hurlston, Manchester Church of England Diocese

          Mr. V. Hall, Salford Roman Catholic Diocese

          Mr. C. Maude, Parent/Governor Primary School

          Vacant, Parent/Governor Secondary School

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Economy, Business Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 9^th March 2018 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Economy, Business Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee held on 9^th March 2018 be noted.

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Housing, Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 13^th March 2018 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Housing, Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 13^th March 2018 be noted.

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Corporate Issues and Reform Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 20^th February 2018 and 20^th March 2018 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Corporate Issues and Reform Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 20^th February 2018 and 20^th March 2018 be noted.

The Board gave consideration to an update related to the Liberty Protection Safeguards, the annual data return for the 2018/18 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), the current position in Oldham and areas of development.

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards aimed to protect people who lacked the mental capacity, but who needed to be legally deprived of liberty in order to be given care and treatment in a hospital or care home.  If a person’s right to liberty needed to be infringed in other settings, authorisation would need to be obtained from the Court of Protection. 

The Law Commission had published its report which proposed the Liberty of Protection Safeguards as a replacement for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.  Ministers had broadly accepted the proposals, however, legislation was not imminent and would be when Parliamentary time allowed. 

The Board was also informed of the annual data return for the DoLS in Oldham for 2017/18 which had shown an increase in the number of applications received, applications still active, the number of applications which had not been completed and the number of urgent applications received.  There was significant time invested in each application as it was a serious task to be undertaken.  There was an issue with current capacity in the ability to sign off the applications. Potential solutions were under consideration. 

Members asked as part of the assessment process if family members were involved and were informed that the process was overseen by someone not from a statutory service and in most cases that a family member was involved and family members were asked to agree proposals.  Members asked of the applications last year if there was duplication and this was confirmed. 

The Board were informed that those individuals not in the hospital or care home, but who were to be assessed under the DoLS, the supervisory body could not make the decision but was subject to the Court of Protection with costs involved.  Members were informed that Oldham was not alone in facing the challenges involved with this process.  Funding for the DoLS came from the core budget and adult social care budgets were very challenging. 

Members asked if all councils were in a similar backlog position and if casework could be given to another council.  Members were informed that some councils did not have the issue as they had invested previously. However, half of all Councils were not dissimilar to Oldham.  It was also clarified that the supervisory body where the individual lived had to undertake the assessment.

Members also sought and received clarification on those assessments which were not granted.  Members sought clarification on the low BME intake and it was clarified that most of the DoLS come from care homes who in terms of population were mainly white, however, when DoLS would be looked at outside of the care home and hospital environment – this was expected to rise.

Members sought clarification on the impact of the DoLS on staff and it was explained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress of the Business and Investment Review.  The review looked at how the Council optimised business engagement and provided a competitive business support offer which maximised business growth and investment in the Borough.  Approval had been given to strengthen the function of the Strategic Investment Team through the recruitment of an Investment Officer and additional resources for the improvement of business engagement and strengthening the business support offer.

Improved business engagement was outlined to the Board which required the development of a shared approach to business intelligence, engagement and marketing across a range of partners working with businesses in Oldham.  The partners were represented on the Oldham Economy and Skills Partnership and included Oldham College, the Business Growth Hub, GM Chamber, Oldham Enterprise Trust and private sector businesses. 

Oldham had a strong business offer but in order to remain competitive there were areas that needed to be strengthened to support business start-up, growth and investment.  Progress was outlined to members which included an agreed capital scheme, ongoing work with the business rates team and an updated construction network.  Members were also provided with an action plan and it was explained that there was still work to do but everything was on track.  The key performance indicators were also outlined and the service was on track to achieve above targets.

Members queried support to new business and were informed that a range of support was provided through the Oldham Enterprise Trust.  Business were encouraged to move to Oldham, the services worked with MIDAS on inward investment and businesses who wanted to grow were also supported.

Members asked if the service was optimistic about reaching their targets.  This was confirmed, capacity would be increased by working with partners and also with elected members.  Investment and growth were in the engineering and manufacturing areas.  Members asked if due diligence was conducted on the companies seeking support.  This was confirmed to ensure sustainability. 

Members queried what support was provided to small businesses.  Members were informed that ongoing support was provided and was not restricted to twelve months.  Members queried gender balance and encouragement of women.  Members were informed that Oldham did not have a targeted approach, it was open for all.  Some external funding could be geographically restricted, however, the Council addressed this through its own funding. 

Members queried how the service was promoted in order to access the services and were informed the next challenge was about engagement.  Existing networks and partners were currently relied upon for support.  It was intended to work with a consultant on the development on promotion of the services through a dedicated website which would incorporate business first and social media.

Members queried about being involved in account management and development of a more positive relationship.  Members were informed that businesses should be sign posted to regeneration as to what support was available.  Members asked that ward councillor information be included in the pack to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The Board gave consideration to the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.  The report outlined the purpose of Overview and Scrutiny, the roles and responsibilities of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, the Performance and Value For Money Select Committee and the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee.  The report summarised work undertaken during the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

Members requested that copies be sent to the Council’s libraries and posted on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED that:

1.            The Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2017/18 be commended to Council.

2.            Copies of the Annual Report be sent to the Council’s libraries and posted on the Council’s website.

The Board is requested to comment and note the Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

The Board gave consideration to the Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.  Members also discussed two outstanding items under Part B of the Work Programme and agreed a visit to the MASH unit on 4 July 2018 and a visit to the Department for Work and Pension Offices on 17 July 2018.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme for 2018/19 be noted.

2.         Invitations be sent for the visits to the MASH Unit and to the DWP.

The Board is requested to note the decisions that have been taken under Rule 16 or 17 of the Council’s Constitution since the last meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 6^th March 2018.

If a detailed explanation is required and an officer is to attend the meeting to provide further information, please contact Constitutional Services by 12.00 noon on Thursday, 14^th June 2018.

The Board gave consideration to two decisions authorised under Rule 16 and 17 of the Council’s Constitution.  The Chair outlined the process for the agreement of decisions under the Rules.  Members requested that the Community Horizon project be brought for discussion to the Overview and Scrutiny Board. 

RESOLVED that:

1.       the General Exception and Urgency Decisions related to the Funding of Voluntary Infrastructure and Community Horizon Project and the Reshaping Unity Partnership be noted.

2.       A report on the Community Horizon Project be brought to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The Board gave consideration to the Overview and Scrutiny Toolkit.

 Members commented on the following points:

·       The toolkit should be referred to the District Executives;

·       Guidelines should be used in the preparation of reports which included use of abbreviations and acronyms which would be addressed at the Scrutiny Link meetings.

·       Presenters to be requested to summarise key points.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The Overview and Scrutiny Toolkit be noted.

2.       The points as outlined above be discussed at the Scrutiny Link meetings.

The Board is requested to note the latest Key Decision Document.

The Board gave consideration to the Council’s Key Decision Document.

Members queried the decision to be taken related to Ackers Farm and that activity was already ongoing.  Clarification would be sought and the member informed.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Council’s Key Decision Document be noted.

2.         Clarification be sought on the activity related to the Ackers Farm decision.

The date and time of the next Overview and Scrutiny Board will be Tuesday, 24^th July 2018 at 6.00 p.m.

RESOLVED that the date and time of the next Overview and Scrutiny Board to be held on Tuesday, 24^th July 2018 at 6.00 p.m. be noted.