Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny Officer provided Members with a draft Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme and Members’ views were sought in relation to the items on the work programme.  The Scrutiny Officer referred to the impact on Bircherley Green in terms of its redevelopment proposals and the public's perception on the decline of the area.  She sought Members’ views on what the Council might be able to do to ameliorate the situation in the interim.

The Scrutiny Officer reminded Members of a request for a scrutiny review of cycling provision.  She explained that a meeting regarding cycle storage provision was scheduled for 17 December 2019 at the offices of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council when she hoped to gain an insight into what reviews might have already been undertaken.  The Scrutiny Officer advised that she would provide Members with an update following that meeting.

Members were advised that a detailed report on Section 106 arrangements and allocations had been considered by Performance, Audit and Governance Oversight (PAGO) Committee on 24 September 2019.  The Scrutiny Officer invited Members to let her know if they considered there were any issues in the report which required scrutiny.

The Scrutiny Officer said that the Gov.Metric report regarding website satisfaction would be submitted to 4 February 2020 meeting by the Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy.

The Scrutiny Officer explained her thoughts on a more proactive approach to Scrutiny, which could entail regularly reviewing the forward plan for items to be considered by the Executive over a three month period.  She felt that the Forward Plan could be included on the Agenda as a standing item. 

Councillor M Goldspink expressed her support for this idea.  She pointed out that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had the option of calling in decisions to be taken by the Executive.  Councillor D Hollebon was assured that feedback would be given to Members in respect of Gov.Metric.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy commented on performance data in respect of customer satisfaction with the Council’s website.  Members supported the draft Work Programme, as amended.

RESOLVED – that the draft Work Programme as amended, be approved.