Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Rachel Blake, John Cooke, Jane Cox and Cynthia Ransome.

None

There were no declarations of interest made.

Mr Tim Brown attended the meeting and asked whether the Overview and Scrutiny process was “fit for purpose”.  It was noted that Mr Brown had been asking about Equalities for a number of years.  It was stated that this was due to reasons such as Doncaster Council not having a representative BME workforce (which had not been addressed), that a previous DMBC Officer was on the brink of suicide after being forced out, a BME assessment that is 12 years out of date and hate crimes statistically so poor that a breakdown cannot be provided.

Reference was made to derogatory terms that are made and Mr Brown’s family being victimised and discriminated against, including through the sport his son plays.  Mr Brown also stated that his elderly father who worked for Doncaster council, was informed that after returning from leave that he’d resigned with no one being able to tell him where his letter was.  It was also questioned why applications were being held back.

It was commented that the Hazel Salisbury report had exonerated the former Mayor from “significantly harming the equalities agenda in Doncaster” and that witness statements made acknowledged that the wider community was suffering. 

Reference was also made to correspondence from Professor Fenton, Public Health England regarding SY Police not properly looking at hate crime. 

Mr Brown sought assurances that people like him were not going to be subjected to abuse, for example, because a football game had been won.  Mr Brown stated that he would also like to think that all young people would be able to submit applications to the Council that would all be considered by the interview panel. 

Mr Brown added that he hoped the main scrutiny function would like to establish the truth.  It was questioned, what would be expected by individuals if this was happening to them and their family.  Mr Brown sought assurances that OSMC will abide by its own Terms of Reference and best practice in making the enquiries it needs to find the truth.   Mr Brown finished his statement by stating that all citizens in Doncaster should be treated fairly.

Councillor Mounsey acknowledged Mr Brown’s statement that things were not working as they should do. It was added that Overview and Scrutiny was able to make recommendations to ensure that people in Doncaster are fully represented in all aspects and that this is done in an open and transparent way taking all aspects of communities seriously.  Councillor Mounsey expressed his disgust that people were treated the way described by Mr. Brown.

Councillor Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and Portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Equalities agreed that everyone should experience equal opportunities and be treated properly.  It was commented that calling people such derogatory terms has no place in any town; region or country and that individuals should not be treated differently because of the colour of their skin.

Although it was stated that comment could not be made on staffing matters regarding former employees and it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Committee considered proposed changes to the membership of the Children and Young People and Community and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panels for 2016/17 following consideration by Full Council on 13^th May 2016.

The Committee resolved to agree the following changes to the membership to the Overview and Scrutiny Panels with immediate effect: -

·         Councillor Mark Houlbrook to replace Councillor Rachel Hodson on the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel; and

·         Councillor Craig Sahman to replace Councillor Mark Houlbrook on the Community and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The Committee considered the Overview and Scrutiny work programme for 2016/17 following a series of workplanning meetings held by the individual Panels and the Committee.

In addition, Allan Wiltshire, Head of Performance and Data attended the meeting to outline the forthcoming refresh of the Corporate Plan.  There was a brief discussion around Overview and Scrutiny’s role within that, this year and next year when the Plan would be looked at in more detail.

Caroline Martin, Senior Governance Officer also outlined Overview and Scrutiny’s role in linking in with local Partners and sought whether the Committee would like to ensure a more flexible approach to working with Partners which will enable Overview and Scrutiny Members to identify with future workplan issues and help ensure that Members gain a greater awareness of partnership activity.

The Committee resolved to

1.    Approve the 2016/2017 work programme; and

2.    Take forward a flexible approach in working with Partners to maintain an overview of relevant partnership activities.