Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny Officer submitted the work programme report and sought Members’ comments on items for inclusion on the agenda for the meeting on 16 January 2024.  She drew Members’ attention to the Appendix to the report and provided an update on the programme.

The Scrutiny Officer explained that summary bulletins had been circulated in advance of the meeting on various topics requested by Members at a previous meeting. 

The Chairman noted concerns expressed in relation to the Air Quality Action Plan and suggested that depending on content of the report, a further review could be undertaken at a future date.

It was noted that information was awaited from Social Housing providers (in relation to questions raised by Members) and that depending on content, Members might wish to explore this further at the January meeting. 

Members agreed that the agenda for the meeting on 16 January 2024 should comprise:

·               Air Quality Action Plan

·               Thriving Together – A new Health and Wellbeing Plan for East Herts 2023 – 2027

·               Social Housing providers report (complaints, repairs etc) – to be confirmed)

Members noted that Councillor Glover-Ward would not be available to attend the January meeting (if necessary) to respond to questions in relation to the UK Share Prosperity Money (Levelling up how UKSPF is being used). It was agreed that this item should be moved to the March meeting in 2024.

The Scrutiny Officer explained that she had been advised there had been some minor changes to the Data Protection and Governance Policies which were normally reported to Overview and Scrutiny. Members agreed that in view of the fact that the changes were minor and grammatical in content that this could be circulated as a Summary Bulletin. This was supported.

The Chairman assured Members that he met regularly with the Leader to ensure the co-ordination of the Council’s Forward Plan and the Work Programme of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Clements proposed and Councillor Nicholls seconded, a motion that, subject to the above changes, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme in Appendix 1 for 2023-24 as amended, be agreed. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that, subject to the above changes the work programme in Appendix 1 for 2023-24 as amended, be agreed.