Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 7th March 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 7th March 2023 were approved.

For information, disclosable pecuniary interests and registrable interests relate to entries that are included, or should be included, on a councillor’s register of interests. Non-registrable interests relate to any other matters.

No disclosures were made.

No declarations were made.

No questions were submitted.

No questions were submitted.

To update on the actions associated with the recommendations of the Digital Transformation Scrutiny Panel six months after the completion of the panel.

A report of the Head of Governance and Human Resources to consider the implementation of the decisions taken by the Cabinet following its consideration of the report of the Digital Transformation Scrutiny Panel and what, if any, further action may be required, was submitted (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

It was anticipated that all members (with the exception of members of the Executive) would be invited to be involved in the testing and development of the new website management system.

RESOLVED

1.    That the information was noted by the Scrutiny Commission.

2.    That the Scrutiny Commission was satisfied with the progression of the actions associated with the Cabinet resolutions and that no further monitoring was required.

Reasons

1&2     To enable the Commission to be satisfied that decisions taken following scrutiny recommendations are being implemented satisfactorily, take or recommend any further action that is necessary and ensure the effectiveness of the scrutiny function.

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 items have been identified for pre-decision scrutiny from the Cabinet agenda for 13th April 2023:

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Planning and Growth, 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 Growth was considered under item 14.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Contracts, Leisure, Waste and Environment, circulated to members.

THIS IS AN EXEMPT REPORT AND WILL BE CONSIDERED UNDER ITEM 15.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Contracts (Leisure, Waste and Environment) was considered under item 15 on the agenda.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Contracts, Leisure, Waste and Environment, circulated to members.

THIS IS AN EXEMPT REPORT AND WILL BE CONSIDERED UNDER ITEM 16.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Contracts (Leisure, Waste and  Environment) was considered under item 16 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).    

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.

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 consider updates on the work of scrutiny panels, was submitted (item 10 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

Reason

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

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 that the Scrutiny Commission reviewed the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Work Programme and did not make any amendments.

Reason

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

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.

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

The Lead Officer assisted with the consideration of this item. It was highlighted that there would be no further meetings of the Scrutiny Commission until 3rd July 2023, and therefore there was a requirement to move items scheduled for June 2023. The Commission made the following changes to their work programme;

      i.        Draft Annual Scrutiny Report (annual item) – Move to 7th August 2023

    ii.        Update on Void Property Information – Move to 7th August 2023

   iii.        Cost of Living Plan Update – Move to 3rd July 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 changes be made to the Scrutiny Commission’s work programme:

·         Draft Annual Scrutiny Report (annual item) – Move to 7th August 2023

·         Update on Void Property Information – Move to 7th August 2023

·         Cost of Living Plan Update – Move to 3rd July 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 the following items on the grounds that they involve 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 in 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 Growth, circulated to members.

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

A summary of the Commission’s discussion on this matter is provided in the exempt minute (Scrutiny Commission Minute 111E. 2022/23).

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Contracts, Leisure, Waste and Environment, circulated to members.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Contracts (Leisure, Waste and Environment) was considered for pre-decision scrutiny (exempt item 8b on the agenda filed with these minutes).

A summary of the Commission’s discussion on this matter is provided in the exempt minute (Scrutiny Commission Minute 112E. 2022/23).

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Contracts, Leisure, Waste and Environment, circulated to members.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Contracts (Leisure, Waste and Environment) was considered for pre-decision scrutiny (exempt item 8c on the agenda filed with these minutes).

A summary of the Commission’s discussion on this matter is provided in the exempt minute (Scrutiny Commission Minute 113E. 2022/23).