Technical, Economic and Environmental Services Scrutiny Panel

Economy and Environment Service Review and its Effect on Service Delivery

To enable the Scrutiny Panel to contribute to the outcomes of the Service Review and to consider their effect on service delivery in so far as they not only affected the remit of this Scrutiny Panel, but also their impact on the remit of other Scrutiny Panels.

This Review will enable the scrutiny panels to closely monitor service delivery and spending decisions, at a time when efficiency savings are to be maximised.

Economic Services/ Environmental  Services/ Technical Services

Tameside Works First

To consider the effectiveness of the Tameside Works First initiative on the businesses and related economy of the borough.

This Review will support the Sustainable Community Strategy aim, 'Prosperous Tameside'.

Economic Services

The Council’s Tendering Process

In light of requirements to make significant local efficiency savings, the Scrutiny Panel wishes to examine the conditions for eligibility for awarding contracts placed within the council’s tender process, and the effects of this process on businesses in the borough.

This Review will support the Sustainable Community Strategy aim, 'Prosperous Tameside'.

Economic Services

Apprentices

Apprenticeships are nationally recognised, as they can demonstrate that they have been trained in the skills required for a particular role. The Scrutiny Panel intends to examine the involvement of the council in encouraging the use of apprentices throughout the public and private sector in the borough, and their effectiveness in this matter.

This Review will support the Sustainable Community Strategy aim, 'Prosperous Tameside' and 'Learning Tameside'.

Economic Services/ Tameside Economic and Learning Partnership

Street Lighting and its Effects on Carbon Emissions

Street lighting is a major source of carbon emissions. The Scrutiny Panel intends to look into how the smart use of street lighting could have a massive impact in saving money and cutting the council's carbon footprint.

Consideration of energy efficiency matters is contained within the portfolios of every Executive Member on the council.

Technical Services

Conservation Areas in Tameside

Section 69 of the Civic Amenities Act 1967 gives local councils the power to designate as Conservation Areas, "areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".

In a conservation area, planning permission is required for changes to buildings which would normally be permitted.

This review seeks to clarify this requirement.

This Review will support the Sustainable Community Strategy aim, 'Attractive Tameside'.

Technical Services

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

The Council contributes a sum of money annually, towards the British Waterways Levy. This is part of an Operation and Maintenance Agreement that three Councils, the Huddersfield Canal Company and the Millennium Commission have signed and executed on 17th May 1999.

This Review will support the Sustainable Community Strategy aim, 'Attractive Tameside'.

Technical Services

Winter Gritting
March 2000

To review the Council's operational policies for the treatment of roads throughout the Borough during periods of severe winter weather and, if appropriate, make recommendations on such policies, and to assess the performance of the Environmental Services Department in implementing those policies.

Technical Services

Refuse Collection
April 2001

To consider the efficiency and effectiveness of all aspects of the Refuse Collection Service in Tameside, with particular reference to the Borough's recycling facilities.

Environmental Services

Recycling Activities
September 2001

To consider the efficiency and effectiveness of the Council's recycling operations.

Environmental Services

Planning Matters
December 2001

To consider the efficiency, effectiveness and performance of the Council's Planning Service both in Development Control and in Strategic Planning.

Planning and Economic Development

Highways Maintenance Policies *
April 2002

To consider the Council’s policies for the maintenance of highways (carriageways and footways).

Technical Services

Traffic Calming and Vehicle Speed Management
November 2002

To Review the Council's Policies on Traffic Calming and Vehicle Speed Management.

Technical Services

Pest Control
March 2003

To Review the Council’s Policies for the provision of both commercial and domestic pest control. To consider the need for such provision, its effective implementation and delivery, resources and development.

Environmental Services

Maintenance and Inspection of Bridges and Structures
June 2003

To examine the Council’s policies and their implementation, together with the legal responsibilities for the inspection and maintenance of bridges and structures in the borough, regardless of ownership.

Technical Services

Cemeteries and Crematorium *
December 2004

To review the Council’s policies and provision relating to the Cemeteries and Crematorium to ensure the service meets the needs of the residents/visitors and report with recommendations in relation to any improvements.

Environmental Services

Section 106 Agreements *
August 2005

To review the Council’s current policies and processes surrounding Section 106 Planning Agreements with a view to making recommendations for improvements to the Council.

Planning and Economic Development

Stretched Limousines
May 2006

To consider the operation of stretched limousines in the interests of public safety and to decide whether there is a need to introduce regulations and licensing.

Environmental Services

Maximising Recycling and Minimising Waste
September 2006

To review the Council’s current policies and performance relating to:

a) Waste Minimisation b) recycling and to make a judgment as to whether or not the PSA2 targets will be met and the effects of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme.

Technical Services

Road Safety Measures Around Schools
July 2007

To consider the policies of the Council in relation to the provision of Road Safety measures around schools in Tameside to determine their effectiveness.

Technical Services

Recycling and the Management of Waste from Council Premises and Operations
November 2007

To evaluate the Council’s policies and procedures for the management of waste from Council premises and operations and how far these policies and procedures contribute to achieving efficiency savings and environmental improvements. The review will focus on three areas of the Council which are the largest producers and handlers of waste: Council premises, services provided by District Assemblies, and services provided by the Engineers Service.

Environmental Services

Reducing Energy Consumption in Council Owned Buildings
September 2008

In view of forthcoming legislation, to consider the energy consumption of all council owned buildings which includes schools and leisure buildings, with a view to making recommendations which will improve their efficiency.

Environmental Services

Review of the Implementation of the Working Differently Programme and the Efficient and Effective Use of Accommodation
June 2009

To review the Council’s current and proposed policies for working differently, specifically accommodation, technology and working practices and to examine the requirements to bring this into effect.

Technical Services

Hire Rates for Town Halls and Community Buildings
November 2009

To consider the current policy for the provision of concessionary hire charges for the use of the Council’s town halls and community buildings and its implementation.

Technical Services

Review of the Council's Policy on Dangerous Buildings

To consider the council’s policy on derelict, abandoned or dangerous buildings within the borough.

This Review will support the Sustainable Community Strategy aims 'Attractive Tameside' and 'Prosperous Tameside'.

Economic Services

The Design of Pelican Crossings

To consider the council’s policy on the effect on the design of pelican crossings on equality issues.

This Review will support equality measures which are a main focus of all Council policies and priorities.

Technical Services

The Council’s Refuse Collection Service

To consider the Council’s service for the collection and disposal of household refuse.

This Review will support support the Sustainable Community Strategy aim 'Attractive Tameside'.

Environmental Services

Buy With Confidence Scheme

To consider the effectiveness of the Council’s Buy with Confidence Scheme.

This Review will support the council’s intention to protect its residents from rogue traders.

Environmental Services

Taxi Licensing

To receive a presentation on taxi licensing in order to inform members of the procedures and conditions and their implications on the taxi trade.

This Review will support support the Sustainable Community Strategy aim 'Safe Tameside'.

Environmental Services

Tameside Local Area Agreement Targets

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 placed a duty on responsible local authorities to prepare a Local Area Agreement (LAA) in consultation with partner organisations.

The Tameside LAA 2008-11 was endorsed by the LAA Executive on 29th May 2008 and launched at the Tameside Strategic Partnership (TSP) Annual Conference on 12th June 2008. The LAA was reviewed and refreshed in April 2009.

The 2007 Act gives Scrutiny Panels powers to hold the local authority and partnership agencies to account in achieving LAA targets.

In particular the Act gives Scrutiny Panels the power to:

• scrutinise progress towards achieving LAA targets;
• request information from partner organisations signed up to particular LAA targets;
• expect partner organisations to consider and respond to scrutiny recommendations concerning the targets they are signed up to.

The Scrutiny Panel will receive performance monitoring information on LAA targets relating to this Scrutiny Panel on a quarterly basis.

This performance monitoring exercise supports the Council and Sustainable Community Strategy priorities relating to 'Supportive Tameside’, 'Prosperous Tameside’, 'Learning Tameside’ and 'Attractive Tameside’

Tameside Strategic Partnership

Council Performance

As a measure of ongoing performance monitoring, the Scrutiny Panel is keen to examine performance within the portfolio of technical, economic and environmental service areas.

This links to national and local priorities that relate to the need to make efficiency savings.

Economic Services/ Environmental Services/ Technical Services