Agenda item

REPORT OF THE SCRUTINY OFFICER

This report highlights items scheduled in the work programme of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2026-27 Civic Year. It also includes items that have not yet been assigned to a specific meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(1) That the Committee prioritised topics for inclusion in the Work Programme attached as Appendix 1 and, where appropriate, determined 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 2, suggested a list of items to be considered at its meetings in the coming civic year.

(3) That the Committee, noted the Decisions and Monitoring log, as attached at Appendix 3.

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 – 02 hours 23 minutes 24 seconds

The Scrutiny Officer presented the report entitled ‘Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2026/27’ and advised that:

· Members had undertaken scrutiny training on 12 May, and following this, Members had helped to develop the Work Programme for 2026/27, which was attached at Appendix 1 to the report, and included items for the next Committee meeting in September.

· Members were invited to raise items for the Work Programme through various means if they provided reasons for why it should be considered by the Committee as this would help with preparations and ensure that objectives could be met.

· Updates could also be received outside of meetings through methods such as spotlight reviews and site visits.

· Specific questions should be raised by Members ahead of Committee meetings to allow officers and Executive Members to coordinate a response ahead of time.

· The Forward Plan for 15 May was attached at Appendix 2.

· The Decisions and Monitoring Tracker was attached at Appendix 3, and detailed each recommendation made to Cabinet from the last Committee meeting.

Councillor Ralph Muncer suggested that an update on the progress made by Cabinet on the S106 Task and Finish Report should take place at the Committee meeting on 10 November as that would give significant time for officers and Executive Members to give a response and factor in the next stage of the Local Plan Review.

Councillor Daniel Wright-Mason suggested that they should look at the merger of Settle and Paradigm and how this would impact residents, with the potential to invite them to a future Committee meeting to improve their working relationship with the Council going forward.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Claire Winchester, the Scrutiny Officer advised that:

· They usually contacted Hertfordshire Constabulary in November each year regarding a topic that the Committee would like them to present for the Crime and Disorder Matters item in January.

· The Leadership Team would be able to provide steer to the Committee on local issues that they might want Hertfordshire Constabulary to consider.

Councillor Claire Winchester suggested that the Committee should pick just one topic for them to present at the Committee meeting in January.

Councillor Nigel Mason highlighted that the presentation by Hertfordshire Constabulary should focus on impacts, not just data and insights.

Councillor Ralph Muncer highlighted that they should focus the Crime and Disorder Matters on the impact that policing reorganisation would have on local community policing and its priorities.

The Scrutiny Officer highlighted that Members should raise key requirements for the report on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Future Plans as soon as possible.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis advised that:

· It would be hard for the Committee to make requests on the report until they knew the number of unitary authorities and which one the Council would be merged into.

· However, she suggested that the Committee should look at the protections of nature, ecological assets and parks and playgrounds, and potential stewardship models for these.

· The Committee should also reflect on housing and homelessness provisions and outside organisations providing services in tandem with these and the impact that LGR would have on this.

· The roles of community forums should also be looked at, particularly in respect of future neighbourhood governance models.

Councillor Paul Ward suggested that they should look at the impact of LGR on service delivery for residents and projects.

Councillor Ralph Muncer proposed and Councillor Claire Winchester seconded and, following a vote, it was: