Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Commission held 12th December 2022.

The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 12th December 2022 were approved.

No disclosures were made.

No declarations were made.

No questions were submitted.

No questions were submitted.

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.

There are no Cabinet items selected for pre-decision scrutiny.

There were no items identified for pre-decision scrutiny from the Cabinet agenda.

There were no pre-decision scrutiny items at the last meeting of the Scrutiny Commission.

There were no pre-decision scrutiny items at the last meeting of the Scrutiny Commission.

A report of the Head of Governance and Human Resources to consider updates on the work of scrutiny panels.

A report of the Head of Governance and Human Resources to review the progression of scrutiny panels was submitted (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Lead Officer and the Democratic Services Officer assisted with the consideration of this item.

      i.        It was agreed that the two paused scrutiny panels (Combatting Loneliness and Promoting Tourism in Charnwood) would commence following the election period in May 2023. There was insufficient time to undertake the panels before the elections period, although it would be possible for panel Chairs to work on the scoping documents associated with these panels before elections.

    ii.        It was suggested that a scrutiny workshop be programmed following the elections in May 2023 to allow any new scrutiny members to become familiarised with the scrutiny processes at the Council, and to keep existing scrutiny members up to date with scrutiny knowledge. It was suggested that the Scrutiny Commission meeting for 30th May 2023 be cancelled and the workshop be booked in its place. It was noted that if there were any Cabinet pre-decision scrutiny items selected then the scrutiny of these items be undertaken informally by email.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Scrutiny Commission reviewed the progression of scrutiny panels.

2.    That the paused scrutiny panels ‘Combatting Loneliness’ and ‘Promoting Tourism in Charnwood’ commenced following the election period.

3.    That a scrutiny workshop be scheduled for 30th May 2023, replacing the Scrutiny Commission meeting.

Reasons

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

3   To ensure new scrutiny members were aware of the scrutiny processes at the Council and to develop the knowledge of existing scrutiny members.

To consider any recommendations and observations of the Budget Scrutiny Panel.

To follow.

A report of the Budget Scrutiny Panel to enable the Commission to consider any recommendations and observations of the Budget Scrutiny Panel was submitted (item 10 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Lead Member for Finance and Property Services, the Chair of the Budget Scrutiny Panel and the Lead Officer assisted with the consideration of this item.

      i.        It was emphasized that there was a substantial amount of financial information available to members of the Council, including the annual budget books available on the Council’s website and the information considered by the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee on a quarterly basis.

    ii.        Officers involved with Council finances were extremely knowledgeable on the subject and were always monitoring figures closely. It was highlighted that members had confidence in the way finances were managed by officers of the Council.

   iii.        It was highlighted that all members would be required to attend a member development session in financial awareness following the elections in May 2023. This was to ensure that all members of the Council had sufficient knowledge of financial processes and understanding financial information at the start of the new term of office.

   iv.        Members would receive an update on the Council’s response to the cost of living in June 2023. It was requested that this update included information on the amount of funding available, the amount of funding spent, and how quickly the funding had been spent.  

RESOLVED

      i.        That the Budget Scrutiny Panel report be approved for submission to the Cabinet at the next available meeting.

    ii.        That the update on the Council’s response to the cost of living in June 2023 included information on the amount of funding available, the amount of funding spent, and how quickly the funding had been spent.   

Reasons

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

2.    To ensure the update on the Council’s response to the cost of living included relevant information on funding.

A report of the Head of Governance and Human Resources enabling the Commission to review and agree the scrutiny work programme.

A report of the Head of Governance and Human Resources 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 was submitted (item 11 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

RESOLVED

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

2.    That the Scrutiny Commission agreed 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 Governance and Human Resources 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.

For information, further meetings of the Group are scheduled as follows:

6th February 2023

March 2023 meeting to be rescheduled

11th April 2023                                                                    

A report of the Head of Governance and Human Resources 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 was submitted (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Lead Officer and the Democratic Services Officer assisted with the consideration of this item.

The Commission added the following items to their work programme:

      i.        Pre-decision scrutiny - UK Shared Prosperity Fund ‘Future Charnwood Investment Plan’ – Programme of Delivery’ (February 2023)

    ii.        Pre-decision scrutiny – ‘Review of Sheltered Accommodation – St Michael's Court, Thurmaston’ (February 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.

Reasons

1.    To ensure timely and effective scrutiny.

2.    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.