To inform Council of the work undertaken by the Scrutiny function from May 2011 to April 2012.

The Chairman presented the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The Chairman informed Council that the model currently adopted for Overview and Scrutiny had not been entirely successful and the results of a review would be put to Council at the July meeting.  There was still a considerable amount of outstanding work to be dealt with in various areas, but particularly in Health. 

In response to a question the Chairman advised that it had been difficult for the Task and Finish Group to carry out their review of income and charging whilst consultants Price, Waterhouse, Cooper (PWC) were also carrying out their review at the same time.  The Chairman added he felt some of the work of PWC could have been dealt with by the Task and Finish Group and hence reduced some of the cost to the authority for the services of PWC.  The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chairman and officers for their support.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.