Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee referred the report, attached as Appendix A, to Council, together with the copy of the lessons learnt and the appropriate section of the minutes of the meeting of 28 September 2022.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION: The recommendations had been made following the Call to Account on 28 September 2022.

Audio recording – 3 hours 1 minute 3 seconds

Councillor Adam Compton, as Chair, advised the committee that Councillor David Levett, as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the Civic Year 2022-23, would present the report entitled ‘Call to Account – Lord Lister Hotel – Chair’s Report’. Councillor Compton also advised Members that supplementary papers including the relevant section of the report and minutes from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 28 September 2022 had been circulated earlier today.

Councillor David Levett advised that:

·       Most of what he wanted to say could be found in the lessons learnt.

·       The ‘Special Urgency’ had resulted in the weighing up of community interest against the urgency of the situation.

·       The origin of the situation went back to February 2021 and the deadline of 31 August 2021 for completion of the purchase by key stage.

·       From the lessons learnt, it had been identified that this matter should have been referred to Cabinet, following the normal procedure, as a non-urgent item.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Val Bryant

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

In response to questions, Councillor Levett advised that:

·       The lessons learnt were set out in the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting and had been circulated to Members prior to this meeting.

·       The Council Chamber was a formal environment, and not a suitable place to conduct a Call to Account. The process would have been more beneficial in a less formal environment and encouraged better discussion on the topic.

Councillor David Levett proposed and Councillor Adam Compton seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee referred the report, attached as Appendix A, to Council, together with the copy of the lessons learnt and the appropriate section of the minutes of the meeting of 28 September 2022.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION: The recommendations had been made following the Call to Account on 28 September 2022.