To elect a Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board for the 2014/2015 Municipal Year.

Councillor Thomas (J) was elected Chairman of the Board for the 2014/2015 Municipal Year.

Councillor Thomas (J) in the Chair

It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Liberal Democrat group, the membership of the Board had been amended for the meeting to include Councillor Pountney in place of Councillor Pentney.

To consider appointing a Vice-chairman of the Board for the coming Municipal Year.

Resolved:  that Councillor Darling be appointed Vice-chairman of the Board for the coming Municipal Year.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Board held on 9 April 2014.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 9 April 2014 were confirmed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

To consider appointing a Health Scrutiny Board as a sub-committee of the Overview and Scrutiny Board with the terms of reference and membership as attached.

Resolved:  that the Health Scrutiny Board be appointed as a sub-committee of the Overview and Scrutiny Board with the terms of reference and membership as shown on agenda.

To consider the attached summary of the current figures in relation to the impact of welfare reform in Torbay and to agree further Key Lines of Enquiry for further review.

The Board considered a report which provided an update on the work of the Revenue and Benefits Service during 2013/2014, the current claim processing times and a summary of the impact that welfare reforms were having in Torbay.

Prior to consideration of the report, the Board heard a representation from a member of the public.

Members of the Board asked a range of questions of the Executive Head – Financial Services and the Revenue and Benefits Group Manager on issues such as:

·         The pressure on staff as a result of increasing numbers of claims but reducing staff numbers

·         The appropriateness of the criteria for the Exceptional Hardship Fund given the level of underspend on that budget

·         How the underspends on the budgets for the Exceptional Hardship Fund and the Crisis Support Fund would be dealt with in the coming year

During the course of the debate, members of the Board identified issues which they would like to investigate further and asked that a Call for Evidence be issued.