Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the following Local Authorities:

Torfaen

Monmouthshire

Merthyr Tydfil

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct Note:

1. Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2. Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the code of conduct, no declarations were made pertaining to the agenda

To elect a Chairperson for the 2023-24 Municipal year

County Borough Councillor A Whitcombe was nominated as the Chairperson for the 2023-24 Municipal Year

To Elect a Vice Chairperson for the 2023-24 Municipal Year

County Borough Councillor R Bevan was nominated as the Vice-Chairperson for the 2023-24 Municipal Year

To receive for approval the minutes of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 20^th March 2023

RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 20.3.2023 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

To consider and approve a Work Programme for the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2023-24 Municipal Year

The Service Director Democratic Services presented the report to Members with the opportunity for them to review and agree its Work Programme for the 2023-24 municipal year

Members commented that holding the JOSC meetings on a virtual basis worked well for this Committee, given the geographical location of the members. Members acknowledged that meeting in person, once per year would be beneficial so members had the opportunity to engage with each other in person.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to:

1.    Consider and determine any matters that members may wish to scrutinise over this period.

2.    Determine if any items that the Joint Committee considered in the last Municipal Year should be added to the 2023-24 Work Programme for future monitoring and scrutiny.

3.    Agree that the Work Programme be reviewed periodically to ensure the items identified for inclusion are relevant and that any additional referrals are incorporated, particularly where items are identified for matters of pre-scrutiny throughout the calendar year.

To consider the report of the Interim Chief Executive and Monitoring officer of the CCRCD on the proposal for the Scrutiny arrangements of the Corporate Joint Committee

The Service Director Democratic Services presented the report to Members which sets out a proposal for the future scrutiny arrangements of the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee

Members were advised that the report sets out the statutory guidance that states the CJCs will be subject to the same performance, governance and scrutiny requirements as Local Authorities.  The guidance also sets out the core principles and values around how Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) should operate and the issues members will wish to consider when putting in place the constitutional and operational arrangements for their CJC. CJCs will be public bodies, and an important part of the local government family.

The Service Director continued that the report proposes that the current Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee provides the Scrutiny arrangements for the CJC, as this current arrangement would best satisfy the Welsh Government’s intention, as set out in the statutory guidance.

The Service Director concluded that if this proposal is endorsed by the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee, the 10 constituent Local Authorities would need to formally appoint the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee as the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the CJC

Members commented on the importance of the Scrutiny of the CJC’s and stated that it was important that adequate funding is provided to support the Scrutiny function and this should include funding to provide training for Members.

Following discussion it was RESOLVED to:

1.    Note the contents of the report attached at appendix 1

2.    Provide comments on the proposed arrangements to be fed back to the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee, prior to their consideration of the report at their meeting on the 31^st July 2023

To consider any items, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.