Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SCRUTINY OFFICER

This report highlights items scheduled in the work programme of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2024-25 civic year. It also includes items that have not yet been assigned to a specific meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That the Committee prioritises topics for inclusion in the Work Programme attached as Appendix A and, where appropriate, determines the high-level form and timing of scrutiny input.

(2)   That the Committee, having considered the most recent iteration of the Forward Plan, as attached at Appendix B, suggests a list of items to be considered at its meetings in the coming civic year.

(3)   That the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan as attached at Appendix C be considered.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)   To allow the Committee to set a work programme which provides focused Member oversight, encourages open debate and seeks to achieve service improvement through effective policy development and meaningful policy and service change.

(2)   The need to observe Constitutional requirements and monitor the Forward Plan for appropriate items to scrutinise remains a key aspect of work programming.

The Scrutiny Officer presented the report entitled ‘Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2024-25’ and the ‘Decisions and Monitoring Tracker’ and advised that:

·             Section 106 training took place on Monday 13 January and a background paper was circulated to Members on the effectiveness of S106 funding in delivering community infrastructure.

·             An email had been sent to group leaders about proportionality of the Section 106 Task and Finish group, and following this, leaders would be contacted for nominations.

·             The LGA Peer Review actions were included in Appendix C of the report.

·             A proposal had been put to councillors to align the Council Delivery Plan updates against service delivery updates. This would enable Members to look at the projects of each service area in detail and ask questions to the relevant Executive Members and officers.

·             Questions should be submitted ahead of each meeting to give officers and Executive Members time to research and compile the necessary information to respond at the meeting.

·             The Council Delivery Plan would next be generated in line with a Planning and Transport Portfolio update at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 11 March 2025.

·             The referrals and recommendations from the tracker, following the last meeting, were made to Cabinet on 14 January 2025 and presented by the respective Executive Members at the meeting. The recommendations were considered and noted by Cabinet and had been market as complete on the tracker.

In response to a question from Councillor Jon Clayden, The Chair advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could consider a Council Data Strategy at a future meeting.

The Chair noted that the Peer Challenge Report, the Council Delivery Plan in line with a Planning and Transport Portfolio update, and a Museum Storage update would all be discussed at the next meeting on 11 March. The Chair also informed Members that the RIPA Annual Report was required to be completed within the Civic Year and would therefore be scheduled for the March meeting.  

Councillor Matt Barnes, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Tom Tyson seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)   That the Committee prioritises topics for inclusion in the Work Programme attached as Appendix A and, where appropriate, determines the high-level form and timing of scrutiny input.

(2)   That the Committee, having considered the most recent iteration of the Forward Plan, as attached at Appendix B, suggests a list of items to be considered at its meetings in the coming civic year.

(3)   That the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan as attached at Appendix C be considered.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)   To allow the Committee to set a work programme which provides focused Member oversight, encourages open debate and seeks to achieve service improvement through effective policy development and meaningful policy and service change.

(2)   The need to observe Constitutional requirements and monitor the Forward Plan for appropriate items to scrutinise remains a key aspect of work programming.