Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny Officer said that this was the usual work programme Members received at each meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee. She drew Members’ attention to the draft work programme attached as an appendix to the report.

The Scrutiny Officer reminded Members that ideally, there should be no more than two items on an Overview and Scrutiny Committee agenda. She said that reports should be focussed on corporate SEED priorities.

Members were advised that Planning and how this service could be improved had been added to the work programme. The Scrutiny Officer said the Transformation Programme had been added to the work programme in respect of how the Council was going to deal with the new working from home and office requirements and front of house.

The Scrutiny Officer said that both of these topics aligned with the SEED priorities’ “Digital by Default” objectives and Members’ views were sought on update reports on both of these topics being submitted to Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services said that as the Transformation Programme was a large topic that covered many different strands, it would be helpful if Members could drill down to specific areas of work that were included in the transformation programme, as not all were suitable for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chairman asked if Members could email him or the Vice-Chairman or the Scrutiny Officer by the middle of next week with suggestions for topics for scrutiny within the wider Transformation Programme.

Councillor Andrews suggested that waste and street cleansing be included as a topic for scrutiny. He referred to the steady increase in concerns expressed to him in respect of street cleansing by Town and Parish Councils and also by residents. He said that street cleansing was the main cause for concern and he referred to overflowing litter bins as well as the clearing and cleansing of public spaces and the clearing of detritus and litter from footways.

Councillor Curtis commented on whether there would be some value in the Committee looking at contract management more generally. The Committee was supportive of both of these items being added to the work programme.

The Chairman reminded the Committee that there was a scoping document for Members to complete with suggestions for future scrutiny.

It was moved by Councillor Snowdon, and seconded by Councillor Andrews, that the draft consolidated Work Programme be approved, subject to the addition of street cleansing and contract management to a future meeting. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the main agenda items for the next meeting be agreed;

(B)   the proposed Consolidated Work Programme, included at Appendix A, be approved, subject to the addition of street cleansing and contract management to a future meeting.