Issue - meetings

a.         Scrutiny Review on Benefits

The Committee received the tabled briefing on the current challenges and performance of the Benefits Service, introduced by the Chair who suggested that this review be postponed.

            NOTED

·        In response to comments that enquiries to the Benefits service from residents and members were not being responded to the Chair agreed to organise a meeting between the Cabinet Member, Cllr Goldberg, the Head of Benefits and Local Taxation and Cllr Weber to discuss issues (Action No. 54.1).

·        Cllr Weber was invited to sit on the Worklessness Review, which could include discussions around benefits

RESOLVED that the previously agreed scrutiny review on the Benefits Service be deferred and removed from the 2011-12 Overview & Scrutiny Committee work programme.

b.         Budget Scrutiny Themes

NOTED the following themes from the Council’s 2012-13 Budget had been agreed for scrutiny by the Budget Scrutiny Panel:

·        Looked After Children (including legal costs and comparisons to other local authorities)

·        Accommodation for the Homeless

·        How the borough’s Co2 emissions could be reduced