Issue - meetings

To receive the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 from the Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Brown, introduced the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 and proposed that Council notes the report. The Vice Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Thwaites, seconded the motion.

In introducing the report, the Chair of Scrutiny Committee thanked all Officers who have supported the Committee during the Municipal Year, including the Council’s Scrutiny Officer, Adam Green.

During the debate, the following comments were made:

• The Leader thanked the whole of the Scrutiny Committee. He added that the outcomes from housing support review had been substantially improved by the input from Scrutiny and he hoped there would be similar activity, with Scrutiny reviewing specific topics in smaller groups, during this Municipal Year.

RESOLVED

Council

NOTED the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24.

At 8:37pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor Child left the meeting and did not return.

The Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 is to be considered by the Committee.

The Chair introduced the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24.

During debate, the Vice Chair commented that the Committee should also be open to some reflection and scrutiny, and for there to be scope to consider the impact of scrutiny. It was considered that the mid-year review of the work programme could be a good time to reflect on the work and impact of the Committee.

A comment was made on whether the annual report could better set out the impact of Scrutiny work upon policy and subsequent decision making. It was confirmed that this would be considered for the 2024/25 annual report.

The query was raised on whether Members get the right feedback from Officers, as having feedback would mean Members could use their own and Officer’s time more efficiently.

The Director for Housing and Communities was asked to give an officer perspective on the work of the committee and commented that scrutiny has felt productive and has had impact. She noted that at times it had been difficult to manage workload and competing demands, but that the use of workshop sessions has been good and produced meaningful results, which have shaped subsequent work. It was explained that the introduction of the scrutiny action tracker has assisted in keeping track of issues or queries which otherwise doesn’t fall under any of the work programme items.

A Member commented that they have enjoyed scrutiny more this year than in previous years.

RESOLVED

Scrutiny Committee

1)    Approved the Annual Report; and

2)    That the Annual Report is presented to Council for noting.