As ever, there is no single official page where you can find out what items are being discussed at the six scrutiny committee meetings being held this week.  (Manchester City Council, with 95 of its 96 councillors belonging to the Labour Party, has 6 committees that are supposed to keep the Exec and officers on track).  Such is the contempt and indifference for democracy and transparency that exists in powerful corners of the Town Hall.  But at least the simple request of a former Executive member (Nigel Murphy) that upcoming meetings get listed at the top of the meetings page has finally been granted.  Pity that the last two scrutiny meetings coming up next week get missed off though…

And do any of the pages (e.g. the one for Neighourhoods) tell you when the meeting is (10am or 2pm). Or where? Or that you are welcome?  Don’t be silly.

And is Neighbourhoods Scrutiny actually going to have the promised report about how the “Carbon Literacy” training for councillors has gone? Don’t be silly.

Do you live in a city where the elected politicians and the civil servants want any engagement or scrutiny?  Don’t be silly.

Of note for “greens” –

Two items in Finance Scrutiny (Thurs 15th, 10am, Manchester Town Hall)

7. Manchester City Council’s Sustainable Procurement Policy and GMCA Social Value Policy and Evaluation Framework (122.33 KB, PDF)

and the long-delayed 9. Communications Subgroup – Draft Terms of Reference and Work Programme (41.01 KB, PDF)

Tuesday 13th January

Young People and Children’s

10am The Scrutiny Committee Room, Level 2, Town Hall Extension

Agenda

• Download the Agenda (37.55 KB, PDF)

• This meeting will be webcast – see www.manchester.gov.uk/webcasts

Reports

• 5. Specific Language Impairments / Autism Spectrum Disorders (SLI/ASD) (747.77 KB, PDF)

• 6A. Budget 2015/17 – A Strategic Response (262.97 KB, PDF)

• 7. School Places – to follow

• 7. School places (257.91 KB, PDF)

• 8. Ofsted Post Inspection Update (Oral Report)

• 9. Overview Report (52.83 KB, PDF)

Neighbourhoods

2pm The Scrutiny Committee Room, Level 2, Town Hall Extension

Agenda

• This meeting will be webcast – see www.manchester.gov.uk/webcasts

• Download the Agenda (62.9 KB, PDF)

• Download the Supplementary Agenda (55.66 KB, PDF)

Reports

• 5. Budget Options for Growth and Neighbourhoods (109.84 KB, PDF)

• 6A. Budget 2015/17 – A Strategic Response (261.78 KB, PDF)

• 7. Manchester Market Rental Strategy (146.32 KB, PDF)

• 8. Overview Report (49.59 KB, PDF)

Wednesday 14th month

Economy

10am The Scrutiny Committee Room, Level 2, Town Hall Extension

Agenda

• This meeting will be webcast – see www.manchester.gov.uk/webcasts

• Download the Agenda (39.41 KB, PDF)

Reports

• 5A. Budget 2015/17 – A Strategic Response (261.36 KB, PDF)

• 6. Follow up information on budget options

• 6A – Income Generation (42.32 KB, PDF)

• 6B – Reform and Innovation (37.96 KB, PDF)

• 6C – Neighbourhood Focus (21.42 KB, PDF)

• 6D – Early Years in terms of its impact on Worklessness – to follow

• 6E – Manchester Adult Education Services (33.8 KB, PDF)

• 7. Manchester Adult Education Service (139.08 KB, PDF)

• 8. Tax Avoidance / Evasion – to follow

• 9. Overview Report (2.06 MB, PDF)

Communities

2pm The Scrutiny Committee Room, Level 2, Town Hall Extension

Agenda

• This meeting will be webcast – see www.manchester.gov.uk/webcasts

• Download the Agenda (62.95 KB, PDF)

Reports

• 5. Tackling Hidden Crimes and Behaviours (55.64 KB, PDF)

• 6. Mental illness provision, drug and alcohol abuse – to follow

• 7. Budget Consultation – discussion with invited guests

• 8A. Budget 2015/17 – A Strategic Response (261.19 KB, PDF)

• 9. Overview Report (81.01 KB, PDF)

Thursday 15th January

Finance

10am The Scrutiny Committee Room, Level 2, Town Hall Extension

Agenda

• This meeting will be webcast – see www.manchester.gov.uk/webcasts

• Download the Agenda (40.08 KB, PDF)

Reports

• 5A. Budget 2015/17 – A Strategic Response (261.35 KB, PDF)

• 6. ICT follow up to consideration of the budget options – to follow

• 7. Manchester City Council’s Sustainable Procurement Policy and GMCA Social Value Policy and Evaluation Framework (122.33 KB, PDF)

• 8. 2014/15 Annual Governance Statement (AGS) – Summary of Progress to Date (53.15 KB, PDF)

• 9. Communications Subgroup – Draft Terms of Reference and Work Programme (41.01 KB, PDF)

• 10. Overview Report (112.88 KB, PDF)

Health

2pm The Scrutiny Committee Room, Level 2, Town Hall Extension

Agenda

• This meeting will be webcast – see www.manchester.gov.uk/webcasts

• Download the Agenda (64.14 KB, PDF)

Reports

• 5. Improving Diabetes Care (39.52 KB, PDF)

• 6. Autism Strategy – to follow

• 7. Greater Manchester Alcohol Strategy (35.97 KB, PDF)

• 8. Sexual Health Services in Manchester (1.39 MB, PDF)

• 9A. Budget 2015/17 – A Strategic Response (261.3 KB, PDF)

• 10. Health and Wellbeing Update Part 1 (16.71 KB, PDF)

• 10. Health and Wellbeing Update Part 2 (25.34 KB, PDF)

• 11. Overview Report (43.47 KB, PDF)