Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – that Councillor Mark Boylan be elected as Chair for the meeting.

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 September 2024.  

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To agree the Terms of Reference for the 2025/26 municipal year.

The Director: Policy & Governance presented the Scrutiny Management Board Terms of Reference for the 2025/26 municipal year.

Members heard that each council Committee had been granted delegated authority to approve their own terms of reference at the Annual Council Meeting in May 2025.

It was noted that there were no proposed changes.

RESOLVED – that the Terms of Reference set out in Appendix A of the report be approved.

To receive and consider the proposed work programme for 2025/26 and 2026/27.

The Director: Policy & Governance presented the draft Scrutiny Work Programme for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 municipal years.

In recent years, Scrutiny had moved to a two year work programme which had been implemented to allow for in-depth work to be completed over multiple years. A full review of the work programme had taken place between January – March 2025 and both new and existing items had undergone a thorough assessment against a set of criteria including the Council’s priorities. The updated work programme included various constitutional items, such as the budget as well as new and carried over suggestions following a consultation period with Council officers, external Partners and elected Members.

Members requested that an additional item for the Environment Scrutiny Committee in relation to dual-purpose recycling bins and street waste be added to the proposed work programme for consideration by the Committee. Members asked if there would be future opportunities for Scrutiny to get involved in a review of the Council’s commercial contracts, particularly for any contracts which may be nearing an end in 2025.

Members also highlighted the importance of the role of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee in monitoring mental health, particularly for looked after children and suggested that there should be a focus for the Committee around this topic.

Members noted the benefits of a workshop approach and suggested that this format be considered for the Domestic Abuse item proposed as part of the Communities Scrutiny work programme.

RESOLVED­ – that the suggestions set out in the report be referred to each of the relevant Scrutiny Committees to prioritise their own work programmes, having regard to the over-arching priorities.