How can we ensure that meetings with the project team are effective and the true scope of meetings can be given?

Okay, few things for running efficient meetings,

1. Keep an agenda- no matter what. Always publish atleast a couple days ahead.
2. During the meeting, do not slip or let it slip, from the agenda, unless something really critical comes up(if so, it would have been on your agenda)
3. Communicate, communicate, bring the communication to a balance, always, as a PM, slowly guide the team back to focus on the agenda.
4. Don't forget to send proper minutes with action items and the names and timelines to complete the items.

Hope this helps.