Agenda, decisions and minutes

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, there were no declarations pertaining to the agenda

To receive for approval the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 27 March 2024 & 22 April 2024

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meetings held on the 27 March 2024 and 22^nd April 2024 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

To consider and approve the Draft Work Programmes of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications presented the report to seek Member’s comment and approval on the draft Work Programme of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

He continued that following a series of Work Programme Workshops, all Members of Overview and Scrutiny Committees were provided the opportunity to consider and identify items for consideration to formulate their respective Work Programmes. During these workshops it was also determined that a number of items would be identified to support public participation and engagement in the Scrutiny process. The Draft Overview and Scrutiny Work Programmes attached at appendices to the report has been compiled by Officers following the workshops and in consultation with the relevant Officers and Committee Chairs.

Following discussion it was RESOLVED to:

1. Agree on issues for inclusion on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme for the 2024-25 Municipal Year, as set out in Appendix A subject to bringing the item on Child Poverty forward sooner than the November meeting
2. Agree that the Work Programme be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure the items identified for inclusion are relevant and that any additional referrals are incorporated; including the identification of information report. In addition that the Cabinet Work Programme is presented as a standing item at each meeting of the Committee to allow for such a review.
3. Agree which matters (if any), should be referred to the thematic Scrutiny Committees for inclusion in their individual Work Programmes
4. Authorise the Service Director Democratic Services and Communications to review the ‘future items for consideration list’ to identify matters for public participation and engagement, as outlined in recent Work Programme Workshop meetings.
5. Consider and approve the following thematic scrutiny Committee Work Programmes as attached to the report (Appendix B, C and D respectively)

Subject to approval of 5, Request that the Service Director Democratic Services & Communications notifies the appropriate Cabinet Members and responsible Officers, of the matters identified for pre-scrutiny in each of the Scrutiny Work Programmes in advance of Cabinet consideration;

For Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider a formal response to the consultation

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications presented the report which sought Members views on whether lay members of Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) should be paid the same way as co-opted members of other relevant authorities.

The current fees for Members co-opted to principal councils, fire and rescue Authorities and national park authorities are set out in the Panel’s Determinations for 2024. In contrast, the Panel has yet to set a fee for lay members of CJCs. It is the Panel’s view that the current situation is anomalous. It is therefore seeking Members views about aligning the approach taken to remunerating lay members of CJCs with the remuneration of co-opted members across the relevant authorities within the local government family.

Members are asked to specifically consider if you agree lay members of a CJC should be paid on the same basis as a co-opted (lay) members of other bodies within the local government family

Following discussion it was RESOLVED to respond to the consultation in support of lay members of a CJC being paid on the same basis as a co-opted Member.

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.

None