Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 4th April 2022.

The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 4th April 2022 were approved.

The following declaration was made;

      i.        Councillor Parton – Exempt item 8a on the agenda (Shepshed Town Centre Public Realm Improvement Project) – As a member of Leicestershire County Council (other registrable interest). Councillor Parton was able to keep an open mind and was therefore able to participate in the discussion and vote of the item.

No declarations were made.

No questions were submitted.

No questions were submitted.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider the draft Annual Scrutiny Report 2021/22 with a view to it being recommended to Council for approval.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider the draft Annual Scrutiny Report 2021/22 with a view to it being recommended to Council for approval item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Strategic Support and the Democratic Services Officer assisted with the consideration of this item.

It was highlighted that the image on page 5 of the Draft Annual Scrutiny Report 2021/22 (page 19 on the agenda filed with these minutes) was not labelled to indicate that the image was of Councillor Charles and that he was the Chair of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee. The Scrutiny Commission agreed that this could be changed prior to the submission of the report to Full Council.

RESOLVED

1.    That delegated authority be given to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-chair of the Scrutiny Commission, to format and amend the draft report to include reference to matters raised at the meeting.

2.    That it be recommended to Council that the Annual Scrutiny Report 2021/22, including any amendments made following the meeting as per recommendation 1, above, be approved.

3.    That the image on page 5 of the Draft Annual Scrutiny Report 2021/22 (page 19 on the agenda filed with these minutes) be updated to indicate that the image was of Councillor Charles and that he was the Chair of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons

1.    To ensure that additional and updated information is incorporated into the final Annual Report before its submission to Council.

2.    To report annually, as required by the Council’s Constitution, on the operation and workings of Scrutiny.

3.    To ensure all images within the Draft Annual Scrutiny Report 2021/22 were labelled correctly.

There are no items of this nature on the Cabinet agenda for the Commission to consider.

There were no items of this nature on the Cabinet agenda for the Commission to consider.

The following item has been identified for pre-decision scrutiny from the Cabinet agenda for 9th June 2022:

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration circulated to members.

THIS IS AN EXEMPT REPORT AND WILL BE CONSIDERED UNDER ITEM 14.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration was considered under item 14 on the agenda.

A report of the Cabinet setting out its responses to recommendations of the Committee on pre-decision scrutiny items.

A report of the Cabinet was considered setting out its responses to the recommendations of the Commission on pre-decision scrutiny items (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Strategic Support assisted with the consideration of this item.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet’s responses to the Commission’s recommendations be noted.

Reason

The Commission was satisfied that it added value where appropriate and welcomed the Cabinet’s consideration of the Commission’s views and recommendations as part of its decision making process.

To consider updates on the work of scrutiny panels.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to review the progression of scrutiny panels was submitted (item 10 on the agenda files with these minutes).

The Head of Strategic Support assisted with the consideration of this item.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Commission reviewed the progression of scrutiny panels.

Reason

To ensure timely and effective scrutiny of the matter and subject.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support enabling the Commission to review and agree the scrutiny work programme.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to enable the Commission to review and agree the Scrutiny Work Programme. This includes reviewing the changes made by the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee and adding items to their work programme (item 11 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Strategic Support assisted with the consideration of this item.

It was highlighted by the Chair of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee that the committee was progressing well and that there was a good relationship between the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee and the Scrutiny Commission.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Scrutiny Commission review the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Work Programme and make any amendments the Commission feel necessary.

2.    That the Scrutiny Commission agree that the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Work Programme be updated in accordance with the decisions taken during consideration of this item and any further decisions taken during this meeting.

Reasons

1&2.To ensure timely and effective scrutiny of the matter/subject.

2.    To ensure that the information contained within the Work Programme is up to date.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support setting out the list of forthcoming Executive Key Decisions and the Group’s Work Programme for consideration, in order to identify items for future scrutiny.                                                                  

A report of the Head of Strategic Support was considered, to enable the Commission to consider its work programme and forthcoming Key Decisions and decisions to be taken in private by the Cabinet in order to schedule items for pre-decision scrutiny (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of strategic Support and the Democratic Services Officer assisted with the consideration of this item. The following summarises the discussion:

      i.        It was highlighted that the Scrutiny Commission had previously requested a report containing more information on the Key Performance Indicator KI 11 - % rent loss from void properties. Officers had discussed the implications of the report with the Chair of the Scrutiny Commission and it was agreed outside of the meeting that the report would be submitted to the meeting of the Scrutiny Commission scheduled for 5th July 2022.

    ii.        The Scrutiny Commission added the following items to their work plan:

·         Amendments to Annual Procurement Plan – 5th July 2022

·         Housing Capital Programme – 6th March 2023

RESOLVED

1.    That forthcoming Executive Key Decisions or decisions to be taken in private by the Executive, set out in Appendix 2 to the report, and scheduled scrutiny of those matters, be noted.

2.    That the Commission’s current work programme be noted.

3.    That the following items be added to the Scrutiny Commission’s work programme for pre-decision scrutiny:

·         Amendments to Annual Procurement Plan – 5th July 2022

·         Housing Capital Programme – 6th March 2023

Reasons

1&3 To ensure effective and timely scrutiny, either to provide Cabinet with advice prior to it taking a decision or to ensure that the Council and external public service providers and partners were operating effectively for the benefit of the Borough.

2.    To ensure effective and timely scrutiny.

It is recommended that members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of this item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest of disclosing the information.

RESOLVED that members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of this item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest of disclosing the information.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, circulated to members. For information, further meetings of the Scrutiny Commission are scheduled as follows;

5th July 2022

8th August 2022

12th September 2022

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration was considered for pre-decision scrutiny (exempt item 8a on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Leader of the Council, the Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Regeneration and Economic Development Officer assisted with the consideration of this item. A summary of the Commission’s discussion on this matter is provided in the exempt minute (Scrutiny Commission Minute 14E. 2022/23).