Agenda item

To consider and populate the Committee’s work programme for 2022/23.

The Committee considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 69 to 74, which gave details of the development of the Committee’s work programme for 2022/23.

The report stated that effective work programming was a Member-led process aimed at shortlisting and prioritising issues of community concern together with issues arising out of the Community Vision and Corporate Delivery Plan and major policy or service changes. It aimed to:

·           reflect local needs and concerns;

·           prioritise topics for scrutiny which have the most impact or benefit;

·           involve local residents and stakeholders;

·           be flexible enough to respond to new or urgent issues.

Each year the Committee approved initial work programmes for itself and the Council’s three Overview and Scrutiny Committees. Recent discussions had indicated the need for work programming to be more robust and for improved monitoring during the year. As this was the Committee’s first meeting in the 2022/23 Municipal Year, the long list of work programme items was attached for consideration and prioritisation.

The report also provided details of the proposed Scrutiny Member training programme for 2022/23. Proposed issues for inclusion in the training programme included:

·           Chairing and Leading Scrutiny (to include wider chairing skills);

·           Budget Scrutiny;

·           Scrutiny of Children’s Services;

·           Scrutiny of Health and Adult Social Care.

In the ensuing discussion, Members made the following points:

The initial 2022/23 induction/refresher Overview and Scrutiny training session had been held on 7 June 2022 and was positively received by Members.

It was suggested that additional Scrutiny training sessions be delivered on Equalities and Inclusion and Climate Emergency. It was confirmed that Scrutiny training sessions were open to all Members.

Jim Frewin suggested that each Member review the long list of potential Scrutiny items (Annex A) and submit a shortlist of three priorities to Democratic Services. These suggestions could then be considered at the July meeting with a view to developing a more streamlined work programme.

It was suggested that the Leader and Chief Executive be invited to attend the July meeting of the Committee to discuss challenges and priorities for the year ahead.

Members noted the importance of close coordination between the Management Committee and the Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny in order to avoid duplication of effort. It was noted that Community and Corporate had requested that it scrutinise the Local Plan Update, the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and the emerging Bus Strategy/Bus Improvement Enhanced Partnership.

RESOLVED That:

1)     The proposals set out in the report for developing the Overview and Scrutiny work programmes be endorsed;

2)     Members notify Democratic Services of their top three work programme priorities – for discussion at the July meeting of the Committee;

3)     the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive be invited to attend the July meeting of the Committee, rather than the September Committee (currently in the forward programme);

4)     the proposed Member Scrutiny training programme be expanded to include sessions on Equalities and Inclusion and Climate Emergency;

5)     the Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee scrutinise the Local Plan Update, the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and the emerging Bus Strategy/Bus Improvement Enhanced Partnership.

6)     the Committee’s work programme include an item, for the September 2022 meeting, on the impact on the Borough of refugees/asylum seekers (including the use of the Moat House hotel).