Agenda item

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, suggest 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.

Audio recording - 1 hour 3 minutes 17 seconds

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

·             Following the work programme workshop delivered by the Centre for Governance on Tuesday 13 May, Members agreed an initial Work Programme for the Civic Year 2025-26 which was attached at Appendix A to the report.

·             Two items on the Pay on Exit Parking Scheme and North Herts Town Centres Strategy were scheduled to be presented at this Committee meeting. However, they had been deferred to a later meeting of the Committee and officers had given reasons for the delay which were outlined in the Supplementary Document to the report.

·             Members were reminded that they could suggest topics for the Work Programme or Task and Finish groups in the meeting, to the Chair or Vice Chair or by emailing the Scrutiny Officer.

·             The Section 106 Task and Finish Group met on Monday 30 April to finalise the scoping document.

·             Another meeting was being scheduled to address any questions on scope or S106 obligation with the Strategic Planning Officer and to have a discussion with the Communications Officer on a consultation.

·             The Local Government Association Peer Review actions were attached at Appendix C to the report to allow Members to review their progress. 

·             Information regarding referrals was detailed in the decisions and monitoring log.

In response to a question from Councillor Paul Ward, the Scrutiny Officer advised that the main reason the Strategic Project Board had agreed to defer the report of the Town Centres Strategy was because they felt that it needed to be of a better standard before being presented to both the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet.

Councillor Daniel Allen also advised that had the Town Centres Strategy been presented to both committees, it would not have been representative of all towns in North Herts, therefore further work would take place to ensure that the needs of each town were considered within the strategy.  

Councillor Matt Barnes took part in the debate and expressed disappointment that the report for the Pay on Exit Parking Scheme had not been presented at this Committee meeting but understood the reasons for its deferral. He also encouraged Members to put forward items for consideration to be put onto the Work Programme and highlighted topics on Crime and Disorder Issues and Health Partners that were not currently on the Work Programme. 

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, suggest 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.