| 
This section of our website keeps you informed about current topics and news that might be of interest. We
welcome public involvement in overview and scrutiny, and would value your input on these items:
NEWS!!! - Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings coming up soon
- Adults and Neighbourhoods
There will be a special meeting of the committee during April (date to be confirmed) to consider the Responsive Repairs policy for social housing, prior to decision at Cabinet on 26 April.
There is also a meeting on 3 May which will look at a number of issues including the commissioning proposals for Healthwatch. The aim of the Healthwatch is to give citizens and communities a stronger voice to influence and challenge how health and social care services are provided locally. At the meeting there will also be a review of cash machines in local centres and information on the working arrangements of various partners at a local level.
The Committee has also invited the University Hospital North Staffordshire to the meeting to discuss the pressures on the Accident and Emergency (A&E) services following the temporary closure of Mid Staffordshire Hospitals A&E.
The committee will also be considering the terms of reference of a proposed Councillor review into Home Care services.
- Business Services and Chief Executive's
26 April 2012, 1:00pm
The focus of the meeting is to discuss new government proposals on welfare reform, how these may affect the city and its people and what preparations public services needs to make in advance. The meeting will also discuss the council's use of social media and how it can be used to communicate and further engage with communities and individuals.
- Children and Young People's
19 April 2012, 10:00am
The committee will ask questions on the progress of Cabinet actions related to two previous councillor reviews: improving educational attainment for young children (key stage one) and also on actions to reduce teenage pregnancies in the city. There will also be an update on work and inspections carried out by the Parenting Panel for children in care.
- Business Services and Chief Executive's
22 March 2012, 10:00am
Earlier in the year councillors carried out a review into future arrangements for Stoke-on-Trent theatres and made a series of recommendations to Cabinet. At the meeting in March the committee will discuss the Cabinet response and any action in light of the review. The committee will also ask questions around the performance of city renewal services: what is the status of major building projects in the city centre? how are efforts to support new employment in the city faring? Is the council keeping to budget and delivering any savings? There will also be related reports on local labour supply chains, the City Waterside development and bus services. It will also set the topics for its meeting on 10 May.
If you would like a Councillor to ask a question on your behalf at one of these meetings please contact the Scrutiny Team on the details below.
Coming Up: City Renewal meets on 29 March 2011, where Councillors will be asking question on performance and local labour clauses to support firms in the City
Further details of the Committees, including membership and agendas, are available from this webpage
REVIEWS!!! - Task and Finish Groups
In progress:-
- Greenspace Strategy: over one third of the city is greenspace: from formal parks to semi rough land and lakes. Councillors are looking at options for future use and have asked for views in a questionnaire, which is available by clicking here. If you have any views or would like to know more please contact Councillor Andy Platt.
Recently completed:-
- Buying Good and Services (Procurement): Councillor Joy Garner lead a review looking at the ways in which the Council buys goods and services. Cabinet is expected to respond to the review in April.
- Sports and Leisure: Councillor Bagh Ali lead a review looking at the options for the future delivery of the service.
- Stoke-on-Trent Theatres: Councillor Matt Wilcox lead a review into options for the future management of theatres.
- Council Tax Collection: Councillor Andy Lilley lead a review exploring ways in which the Council could be better at collecting Council Tax.
- Council Tax Setting: Councillor Andy Lilley lead a review forming a view on the level of Council Tax for 2012/13.
For further details about current scrutiny topics please contact the scrutiny team on scrutiny@stoke.gov.uk, or telephone (01782) 233018, 232723 or 232956