Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SCRUTINY OFFICER

This report highlights items scheduled in the work programme of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2025-26 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.

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.

Audio recording – 3 hours 7 minutes 54 seconds

The Scrutiny Officer presented the report entitled ‘Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2025-26’ and advised that:

·             Work Programme updates were now published monthly in MIS and included a link to a work programme suggestion form.

·             The item on Crime and Disorder Matters at the next meeting would focus on crime against the LGBTQ+ community and cybercrime against elderly residents.

·             All Work Programme details could be found in Appendix A to the report.

·             A Task and Finish Group meeting took place on 30 September with Senior Planning Officers to address questions regarding scope and S106 obligations.

·             The consultation on developer contributions had been extended to 20 November to allow parish councils more time to respond.

·             Another Task and Finish Group meeting would take place later in the week to identify themes from the responses in the consultation and to form next steps.

·             There had been one open referral on the decisions and monitoring log which had been accepted by Cabinet at the meeting on 23 September.

The Chair outlined that an email had been circulated to all Members of the Council to draw their attention to the work programme suggestion form, through which Members could suggest items for scrutiny input.

Councillor Ralph Muncer noted the High Court Case with the Chief Constable of Northumbria Police and Northern Pride and suggested that Members should consider this in relation to the Crime and Disorder Matters item at the next meeting.

Councillor Sadie Billing proposed and Councillor Jon Clayden 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.

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.