Thursday, 19 June 2008 at 6.30pm,

Ryedale House, Malton

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrews,Cussons, Hawkins, Ms Warriner and Mrs Wilford

 

 

 

No declarations of interest were received.

 

 

 

At the meeting of the Community Services & LicensingCommittee held on 29 May 2008, the Corporate Director (S151) hadreported verbally on the current position with regard to theYorkshire Moors & Coast Area Tourism Partnership.

 

The Corporate Director (S151) had reminded the Committee thatat its meeting held on 31 January 2008, Members had considered areport, which sought approval to transfer an agreed amount from thetourism budget to the Yorkshire Moors & Coast TourismPartnership (YMCTP) and to extend the secondment of the tourismofficers to the Partnership. It had been suggested at the meetingthat it would be useful to have a Member Briefing on theYMCTP.

 

The Corporate Director (S151) had reported for information onthe current position in that Hambleton District Council hadcommitted to the full five years of the Partnership business plan.However, at this stage Scarborough Borough Council had committed toone year. There were outstanding issues relating to Scarborough’scontribution and meetings were ongoing in this respect.

 

In addition, it had been noted that a Member Briefing had notyet been arranged and this was to be pursued once the currentissues had been resolved. It had therefore been suggested thatfollowing receipt of further information a detailed report on thePartnership be presented at the next meeting.

 

In the circumstances the Committee had resolved:

 

“That a detailed report be presented to the next meeting ofthe Committee following which arrangements be put in place for aMember Briefing.”

 

The Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee reportedthat, in accordance with the procedures detailed in the Council’sConstitution, the above decision had been called-in for review bythe Committee. This would enable the Overview & ScrutinyCommittee to consider whether the decision was appropriate and tomake a recommendation regarding the reconsideration of thedecision.

 

The call-in had been made in accordance with the followingprinciples as set out in the Constitution:

 

(b) Clarity of aims and desired outcomes

(c) proportionality

 

The three signatories to the call-in were Councillors Clark,Andrews and Mrs Wilford. The Chairman invited Councillor Clark toexplain the reasons for the call-in. (Councillors Andrews and MrsWilford were unable to attend the meeting and had submitted theirapologies.) Councillor Clark expressed concern that the item hadbeen the subject of a verbal report, which had been presentedtowards the end of the Community Services & Licensing Committeeagenda. Given the importance of the issue Councillor Clark was ofthe opinion that consideration of a detailed report should not bedelayed until the next timetabled meeting of the Committee and thatCommunity Services & Licensing should give the matter detailedconsideration at the earliest opportunity.

 

The Corporate Director (S151) reported that although there hadbeen delays as a result of legal and administrative issues, thework of the Partnership had continued to progress. The issue forthe Overview & Scrutiny Committee was whether a written reportshould have been submitted to the meeting of the Community Services& Licensing Committee on 29 May 2008. However, at that time thefull details and their implications had not been known and it had,therefore, been suggested that a further report be submitted to theJuly meeting of the Committee, when it was anticipated thatoutstanding issues would have been clarified. It was suggested thattaking action at that time would have been premature.

 

The Tourism Officer reported for information on the fundingarrangements and on progress, which had been made since theformation of the Partnership. The Council was in her opiniongetting value for money from the Partnership arrangement and wasbeing provided with a more comprehensive service than in thepast.

 

Members welcomed the Officers’ report and the additionalinformation provided, which had been received since the meeting ofthe Community Services & Licensing Committee on 29 May.Although of the opinion that the Community Services & LicensingCommittee should give the issue early consideration, CouncillorClark reported that he would withdraw the call-in request.

 

With regard to a Member Briefing it was agreed that, subjectto the approval of the Chairman and satisfactory resolution of thecurrent issues, arrangements be put in place for a presentation tobe made prior to the meeting of the Community Services &Licensing Committee on 24 July 2008, to which all Members of theCouncil would be invited.