Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Shannon Jezzard and Emma Toal.

To receive Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 February 2019.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2020 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Previously it was agreed that a note would be circulated including detailed timelines and costings, it was noted that this had not happened and the Committee requested that this was actioned.

The Committee expressed its frustration at the Work Plan not being included on the agenda for the meeting. In particular the Committee noted the delay which would be caused to the Committee’s work. The Chair agreed to address these concerns through discussion with Officers.

The Committee noted that information on the review of Permitted Development had not been circulated. The Chair explained that Cabinet had considered matters in relation to this review and Officers felt that the aims of the review had been achieved. The Committee asked for a note setting out what had been achieved.

To receive any questions from members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

None.

To receive any questions from Councillors in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.

None.

To consider responses (if any) of the Cabinet to reports and recommendations from the Committee.

None.

The Committee received a report on changes to the governance surrounding the Council’s overview and scrutiny processes.

Councillor Charles requested that a section was added to the Cabinet-Scrutiny Protocol which enabled to the Committee, through a majority vote, could request that reviews are fast tracked with Officers agreeing deadlines for the fast track process in advance.

The Committee agreed that this alteration should be brought back to the next Committee meeting. It was agreed that any further amendments would be referred to the Chair to be considered at the next meeting

RESOLVED that the Committee:

A     Recommended to Full Council that the Cabinet-Scrutiny Protocol (attached as Appendix A to the report), the revised Scrutiny Procedure Rules (attached as Appendix B to the report) and the revised Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference (attached as Appendix C to the report) are adopted.

B    Recommended to Cabinet that the Cabinet Overview Working Group is renamed the Cabinet Policy Development Group and the terms of reference are amended as set out in Appendix D to the report.

C    Approved the Scrutiny Committee Review Submission Form (attached as Appendix E to the report).

D    Agreed that training is procured to take place as soon as possible.

E     Agreed that any further amendments would be referred to the Chair to be considered at the next meeting.

None.

Such other business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be received as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes.

The Chair said that the Work Plan would be considered at the meeting on 1 September. He suggested that the reviews of Policing in the Town, and the Review of Adult Social Care would be pushed back. Other reviews should now be submitted using the revised submission procedure.