To receive and, if so determined, to agree as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November, 2015.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2015 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members to give notice of any interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

No declarations of interests were made by Members.

To receive the Executive Member for Children’s Services’ formal response to the Scrutiny Committee’s Home to School Transport Review.

The Committee received the Executive Member for Children’s Services’ formal response to the Scrutiny Committee’s Home to School Transport Review, with all recommendations agreed. The Vice-Chairman highlighted that there was no definitive guidance on DBS checks, but was content that the current procedures in place satisfied the Department for Education.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and the agreement of the recommendations welcomed.

To receive a presentation of the Contracts Director.

The Committee received a presentation of the Contracts Director, providing Members with an update on the progress of the One Trafford Partnership. Mark Pickering, the Principal Operations Manager for Local Government at Amey was in attendance to answer Members’ questions. The presentation provided an overview of the Partnership’s achievements so far, as well as detailing current performance against the set KPIs. Members were advised of the governance structure along with the Partnership’s intended next steps.

Members asked for further information on the status of the 350 staff transferred to Amey at the commencement of the Partnership. The Contracts Director confirmed that the vast majority were still in post, but the future was dependant on the budget. Responses to the recently completed staff survey would be shared with Members. Other discussions centred around leaf clearance within the Borough, as well as some recent communication issues experienced by Members. The Chairman advised that his personal experiences in dealing with Amey had been very positive, and thanked them for their excellent work dealing with flooding in the Davyhulme area. 

The Principal Operations Manager and the Contracts Director advised written responses would be provided for the questions which required further investigation.

The Committee thanked the Contracts Director for the presentation and requested a further update be provided to the Committee in six months, focusing on Lot 3: Technical Services.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the presentation be noted.

(ii)          That a further update be provided at the September 2016 meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, focusing on Lot 3: Technical Services.

To receive a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance providing an update on the implementation of the Universal Credit Delivery Partnership Agreement.

Members noted the good progress that had been made thus far, and discussions were had regarding the take up for the scheme and how claimants accessed the service.

The Head of Exchequer Services confirmed that another agreement would be set for 2016/17 continuing as a trial approach.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To receive a report of the Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Operations.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Operations providing an update on the use of funds to improve commuter cycling within the Borough. The report also highlighted the actions taken in response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Topic Group Review in 2014.

The Committee discussed how funding to support cyclist was spent, noting Trafford’s positive record for supporting its cyclists. Members suggested that improvements to cycling conditions could be made at Trafford Park and the Bridgewater area, with the latter requiring changes to ensure the safety of non-cyclists.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To receive and note the Budget Scrutiny Report for 2016-17, presented to the Executive on Monday 25th January 2016.

The Scrutiny Committee’s Review of the Executive’s Draft Budget Proposals for 2016-17 was brought to the meeting for information. The report was considered at the Executive meeting on 25 January 2016.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To receive a report of the Democratic and Performance Services Manager.

The Committee received a report of the Democratic and Performance Services Manager setting out the updated work programme for the 2015/16 municipal year.

The Task and Finish Group work on ‘Closing the Gap – Reducing Educational Inequalities within the Borough’ was nearing completion, with the aim of presenting the final report to the Committee at the 16 March meeting.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.