CHILTERN DISTRICT COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Meeting of the SCRUTINY (BEST VALUE) SUB-COMMITTEE

held on 6 NOVEMBER 2002

     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Councillors A W Walters and

     R T Young

     IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor D W Phillips

     RESOLVED –

That Councillor P T Lole be appointed Vice-Chairman for the remainder of the Council year.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 April 2002, copies of which had been previously circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

3.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

     There were no declarations of interest.

4.     ICT – MONITORING REPORT

The ICT Best Value Review had been completed in November 2000 and inspected in January 2001. Attached to the report as an appendix was the latest six-month update on the progress towards the implementation of the Action Plan.

     RESOLVED –

     That the report be noted.

5.     LAND CHARGES – MONITORING REPORT

The Land Charges Service Best Value Review was completed in November 2000. Attached to the report as an appendix was the latest six-month update on progress towards the implementation of the Action Plan.

RESOLVED –

That the report be noted.

6.     BUILDING CONTROL – MONITORING REPORT

The Building Control Best Value Review was completed in February 2002 and inspected in October 2002. Attached to the report as an appendix was the first six-month update on progress towards the implementation of the Action Plan.

The Director of Planning and the Environment updated Members on the latest position with regard to certain elements of the Improvement Plan.

It was noted that the outcome of the Best Value inspection would be presented on 26 November 2002 at 10.30am in the Council Chamber.

RESOLVED –

That the report be noted.

7.     OPEN SPACES – MONITORING REPORT

The Open Spaces Best Value Review was completed in August 2000 and inspected in June 2001. Attached to the report as an appendix was the latest six-month update on progress towards the implementation of the Post Inspection Action Plan.

The Director of Planning and the Environment updated Members with respect to two outstanding tasks on the Action Plan.

RESOLVED –

That the report be noted.

8.     REVENUES BEST VALUE REVIEW – POSITION STATEMENT AND      IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Attached as an appendix to the report were the Position Statement and Improvement Plan setting out the findings of the Revenues Best Value Review.

A presentation on the Position Statement and Improvement Plan was given. The purpose of the Position Statement was to show the results of the thorough assessment made of the service. The Improvement Plan set out how the improvements identified during the review process would be implemented.

Member scrutiny was integral to the Best Value process. Members had therefore been requested to Challenge both the Position Statement and Improvement Plan.

Following the presentation Members asked a number of questions in respect to customer surveys, contracting out and staffing issues.

Following a question from the Chairman the process in respect to Council Tax collection was explained.

Members also discussed Member involvement in the Best Value process.

Members noted the Management Team comments, which had been circulated previously.

Members congratulated the Head of Revenues and Resources for his presentation.

RESOLVED –

That the Revenues Best Value Review Position Statement and Improvement Plan, as set out in the officer's report, be recommended to the Executive.

The meeting ended at 7.45pm