Agenda item

44.1     RESOLVED: It was resolved to amend the scrutiny work programme to include the following items:

Reformulated Supported Bus Network (RSBN)

44.2     It was agreed to set up a small task and finish review board to examine the effectiveness of the mitigation measures that were put in place to offset the impact of the changes made to the supported bus network. The Committee discussed the timescale for starting this review and agreed that it would be best start the review in March or April 2016. This would allow sufficient time for the impacts of the reformulated supported bus network to become apparent.

Highways Drainage

44.3     The Committee agreed to undertake a Scrutiny review of gulley emptying and Highways drainage to examine:

·        The costs and effectiveness for current arrangements for gulley emptying

·        To look at other Highways drainage arrangements (such as ditches and grips), how surface water is removed from the highway and where it goes.

·        The impact on road safety.

The review board will consist of Councillors Stogdon, Rodohan, Taylor and Pursglove and will agree the terms of reference for the review at the first review board meeting.

Road Safety

44.4     Road Safety was discussed at the Audit, Best Value and Community Services (ABVCS) Scrutiny Committee as part of the funding of one-off projects from the Public Health budget. It was suggested that the Economy, Transport and Environment (ETE) Scrutiny Committee set up a joint review board with the ABVCS Scrutiny Committee to look at this issue.

44.5     The ETE Scrutiny Committee discussed various aspects of road safety centred around interventions that aim to change driver behaviour. The Committee was mindful of the recent changes to road safety funding and the impact of future funding on the Council’s partner’s ability to deliver road safety initiatives (e.g. Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service).

44.6     The ETE Scrutiny Committee agreed to form a joint review board to examine the delivery of road safety interventions and their effectiveness in reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) in East Sussex. The board will consist of the following members of the ETE Scrutiny Committee: Councillors St. Pierre, Pursglove, Taylor and Stogdon, plus representatives from the ABVCS Scrutiny Committee.

MEETING TO BE HELD ON 1 JULY 2015

·        Scrutiny Review of School Crossing Patrol Alternative Funding

Update report on the progress in implementing the recommendations of the review.

·        Safer Streets

A report on the Safer Streets initiative led by the Public Health department, which links to the Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) performance targets and wider road safety issues.

MEETING TO BE HELD ON 30 SEPTEMBER 2015

·        Economic Development

A detailed appraisal of the impact and overall effectiveness of the Rural Growth and Employment Fund (RuGEF), ESCC Capital Budget for Growth, and Regional Growth Fund (RGF) programmes, looking at how different businesses have benefitted and the effectiveness of the programme.

·        Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR).

The Committee will start looking at the Department’s Portfolio Plan and budget setting process for the 2016/17 financial year and beyond.

MEETING TO BE HELD ON 18 NOVEMBER 2015

·        Strategic Infrastructure

It was agreed to provide a report on Strategic Infrastructure that will include strategic road, rail and IT infrastructure improvements. This will include an update on the Superfast Broadband project, examining take up and the next stages of the project. The Committee can then decide which areas that it would like to examine in more detail.

·        Buy With Confidence Scheme

The Committee requested a report be brought to the November meeting on the replacement of the Buy with Confidence scheme with an alternative approved contractor scheme.  The report is to provide:

o   An update on the progress to replace the scheme;

o   An overview of the checks and balances that have been put in place to ensure the quality and reliability of the services provided by the chosen provider; and

o   An evaluation of the extent to which the new scheme is working effectively and the degree of public confidence in the new scheme.

·        Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR).

The Committee will discuss any further information and issues for the RPPR process. It will establish an RPPR Board to review the department’s budget and portfolio plan in detail, and provide comments and recommendations to Cabinet.