Helping local businesses has emerged as priority for scrutiny, among other key topics such as children's nutrition, anti social behaviour, the education of looked after children.
Heading the scrutiny operation is Councillor Keith Sharp who is the chair of the council's Overview committee, he said: "Finding ways to give more help to local businesses is a top priority for the next scrutiny programme. Local businesses are the lifeblood of Islington's economy and way of life. While council's have limits to what they can do- business rates are set by central government for example- it's important we do all we can. Some steps have been taken already and we aim to use scrutiny to explore the limits and find out what else we can do."
A report is going to the overview committee on Tuesday 29 March concerning next year's (05/06) scrutiny programme. There are proposals to look at helping local businesses, anti social behaviour, the education of looked after children and children's nutrition.
The Overview committee has the responsibility for examining the budget and statutory plans as well as dealing with any statutory education matters for the authority.
Cllr. Sharp added: "Scrutiny is all about taking up the concerns of local people. A dedicated team of councillors call witnesses to give evidence, visit other boroughs to see how they do things and make recommendations for improvement. We have looked at areas like recycling and road safety, ongoing investigations include CCTV, fostering and recommendations from the water scrutiny will be considered by the executive in April."
The scrutiny programme is a vital part of the council's arrangements. The Overview and three review committees- Performance, Regeneration and Sustainability- look into areas of local concern and make recommendations. Their findings influence council policy. The public are most welcome to attend meetings.
The review committees are chaired by: Performance, Cllr Adrian Pulham, Regeneration, Cllr Marisha Ray, Sustainability, Cllr Lucy Watt.
Forthcoming meetings are: Performance, 6 June, 7.30pm, Town Hall. Overview, 7 June, 7.30pm Town Hall. Regeneration, 13 June, 7.30pm, Town Hall. Sustainability, 30 June, 7.30pm, Town Hall.
Ends.
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008