Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Elise Davies, Janice Jones and Gilly Latham-Reynolds. 

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 June 2023.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To review and consider the Biennial Scrutiny Report for 2022 – 2024.

The Senior Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) presented the draft Biennial Scrutiny Report for 2022/23 – 2023/24 to the Board. Members were informed that the introduction of the two yearly scrutiny report was established to coincide with the two yearly scrutiny work programme.

The report highlighted some of the valuable work undertaken by scrutiny including various workshops and site visits.

Members of the Board were asked to consider the draft report and provide comments to the Scrutiny Team before being presented to Scrutiny Assembly and Full Council later in the year.

The Senior Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) advised that the Biennial Report would be presented to the Scrutiny Assembly before being agreed at a meeting of Full Council.

Members noted the report.

To review the updated Scrutiny work programme for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

The Senior Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) presented the draft Scrutiny Work Programme for the 2024/25 municipal year.

A two year work programme was implemented in the preceding year to allow for in-depth work to be completed over multiple years and had undergone a recent review. The updated work programme included various constitutional items, such as the budget as well as new and carried over suggestions following consultation with officers and elected Members.

A Member asked if items could be added to the work programme throughout the year.

The Service Delivery Manager: Registrars, Public Protection, Legal & Democracy advised that Committees would have opportunities throughout the municipal year to add items to their individual work programmes and prioritise topics as needed.

The Chair invited Members to participate in a minute silence in memory of the late Councillor Chris Turley who held the position of Chair of Business & Finance Scrutiny.  

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.

To consider an independent review of the current srutiny arrangements following referral from a meeting of Full Council on 29 February 2024.

The Service Delivery Manager: Registrars, Public Protection, Legal & Democracy advised Members of the Board that a referral had been received from Full Council for Scrutiny Management Board to consider an independent review of the Council’s current Scrutiny arrangements following a motion which was tabled at its meeting on 29 February 2024.

Members were informed that the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CFGS) have a number of online tools and resources which would allow local authorities to undertake their own evaluation of current scrutiny and governance arrangements. Subject to agreement of the Board, a workshop would be arranged by officers to undertake the review using the online tools provided by the CFGS.

Members commented that the Council had undergone a number of changes in the last twelve months and that there had been an increase in pre-decision Scrutiny. Members agreed that a review of the Council’s current Scrutiny arrangements would be beneficial to Members to ensure Scrutiny adds value and how to best utilise available mechanisms.  

RESOLVED­ - that a workshop be arranged to enable the Scrutiny Management Board to review the Council’s scrutiny arrangements.