Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the evacuation and housekeeping procedure.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 4 July 2023

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Select Committee received an update on the draft financial performance position at 31 March 2023.

Overall, there was an improvement in the draft outturn 2022/23 financial position compared to that projected at December of around £200,000.

The report highlighted the inflationary pressures currently being experienced by Local Authorities which would be considered further in future MTFP update reports.

The Capital Programme had been updated to incorporate new schemes and reflect those schemes completed as at the financial year end.

AGREED that the draft outturn position for the year ended 31 March 2023 and the updated Capital Programme be noted.

The Committee considered a report which presented an additional topic suggestion for in depth scrutiny.

Executive Scrutiny Committee had agreed a work programme at their meeting on 4 July 2023. A further topic suggestion had now been received from Councillor Steve Nelson regarding the access to and impact of vaping. Revised scoring under the scrutiny “Pick” system placed the topic suggestion as a high priority.

In addition to the above, as a result of scoping work and tri partite discussions regarding the Crime and Disorder Select Committee’s next review of Safety of Staff in the Night Time Economy, it had become evident that this piece of work was unlikely to warrant a full in-depth scrutiny review and a lighter touch approach might be more appropriate. A report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Crime and Disorder Select Committee to provide context and background and provided the Select Committee received adequate assurances at that meeting, there might be capacity in their work programme, to take on an additional review.

The Committee discussed the “pick” prioritisation tool and it was emphasised that the scoring was not binding in any way. The Chair encouraged all Members to put forward topics for scrutiny.

AGREED that the further topic suggestion regarding the access to and impact of vaping be included on the current year’s work programme for the Crime and Disorder Select Committee.

AGREED that the Forward Plan be noted.

Members were provided with updates from the Chairs of each Select Committee. Updates and discussion included:

Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee -

Members noted the update from the Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee Chair. 

Children and Young People Select Committee -

Regarding the Select Committee’s next review of Holidays are Fun (HAF) Programme, Members highlighted problems with the booking system and asked that the review should investigate take up. It was also suggested that all Member feedback into the review would be useful.

Crime and Disorder Select Committee –

Members noted the update from the Crime and Disorder Select Committee Chair.

People Select Committee -

Members noted the update from the People Select Committee Chair.

Place Select Committee -

Notes from the recent Crustacean Deaths Collaborative Working Group would be circulated to Committee Members.

AGREED that the Chairs’ updates be noted.

The Chair advised the Committee that she would be presenting the End of Term Report 2019 – 2023 to the September Cabinet meeting. She placed on record her thanks to Democratic Services Officers who had supported the work of the Select Committees.

The Chair highlighted the Local Government Ombudsman’s Annual Review which was now available online.

Members discussed future potential items for consideration by Executive Scrutiny Committee and commented that performance management information should be scheduled to be considered by Executive Scrutiny Committee.

AGREED that the work programme be noted.