Agenda and draft minutes

To note any apologies for absence and substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ball, Wesson and Driscoll.

Councillor Hersch was present as a substitute for Councillor Ball.

Councillor Haili was present virtually.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public as proposed.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2023.

RESOLVED: That, subject to the insertion of the word ‘endangered’ before the word species in paragraph two of minute item 5, the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2023 are agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2023.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2023 are agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2023.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2023 are agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

Sam Bailey, Head of Democratic Services, presented the Committee’s work programme.

The work programme had been developed in collaboration between officers, scrutiny members and cabinet members. The programme covered major issues and programmes across two Strategic Directorates – Resources and Strategy and Change. Additionally it covered large strategic issues that cut across the terms of reference of the other panels and key strategic issues that were a major financial or reputational risk for the Council. The Committee noted that the work programme was a living document and could change over the year, depending on workloads of departments, new emerging issues the authority faced and suggestions for new topics to scrutinise by members, officers and the public.

Following the presentation of the work programme the Committee discussed the items on it. The Committee was of the view the parking services annual report would better fit with the Housing and Environment Panel and it would be up to the Chair of that Panel as to whether they wished to add the item to their work programme.

A member of the Committee asked whether it was possible to take the item on Broadway Living earlier. The Committee heard that the item on Broadway Living had been scheduled for November for two reasons. Firstly, a new Strategic Director had been appointed for this area, and taking the item at this time allowed him to be fully up to date with the subject area in order to provide detailed responses to Scrutiny’s questions. Secondly, it allowed the item on Budget Scrutiny to be taken in October which was early enough to allow the Committee to make recommendations and influence the budget process.

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2023-24 is agreed.

The Chair explained to the Committee that the final reports of Scrutiny Panel 1 and the Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel were presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for final comment and amendment before being referred on to Cabinet for a response to the recommendations.

RESOLVED: That the final panel reports are agreed.