Agenda item

The report provides the Committee with an update on its approved Work Programme for 2024/25 (including progress with enquiries set out in its Work Programme), feedback to the Committee on the decisions in respect of previous recommendations from the Committee in respect of enquiries undertaken and a list of forthcoming decisions for which notice has been given since publication of the agenda for the Committee’s last meeting.

The Head of Democratic Services and Elections firstly advised the Committee thatcirculated around the room that evening was the reference report that had been considered and approved by Cabinet  at its meeting on Friday 20 September (Minute 46 refers) in relation to the Committee’s recommendations in respect of the Spendells Project. The reference report included the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing’s response to the Committee’s recommendations and Cabinet had approved the Portfolio Holder’s proposals in respect of the recommendations. The Committee enquired whether the outcome of the investigation by the Chief Executive into unauthorised expenditure and the matters in the contract specification for the Spendells project and it was advised that the investigation was still ongoing. In respect of the recommended review of progress with projects, the Committee discussed its concerns that Cabinet had not placed a timescale for when the findings of project management reviews would be reported. Whilst no timescale was set it was possible money would still be being spent and potentially be unauthorised. The Committee was advised that it could make a further reference to Cabinet for a timescale to be applied to reporting on those reviews. Comments made confirmed that Members of the Committee would like to receive an update on the reviews at its next meeting on 17th December 2024 and to invite the Leader of the Council to discuss those review reports. The Monitoring Officer also provided an assurance that, as promised at the Committee’s meeting in July 2024, the Statutory Officers, Ian Davidson, Richard Barrett and herself had delivered the strong instructions around expenditure on projects to senior managers across the Council.

The Head of Democratic Services and Elections highlighted to the Committee that, as part of its annual budget review, the Committee would require a briefing on the use of resources section on the External Auditor’s report that was expected to be received in November/December.

 Within the Report it set out the names of those nominated to form the various Task and Finish Groups. The Groups the Committee were asked to consider were Asset Management Arrangements of the Council, Housing Strategy, Development and Infrastructure and Council Enforcement Arrangements. Councillor Harris also indicated that he would like to serve as a part of the Asset Management Task and Finish Group.

The Committee RESOLVED TO NOTE:

(a)  That the forum session to senior managers had been delivered.

(b)  Invite the Leader of the Council to its next meeting and receive a report outlining the progress with the Cabinet’s decision as follows; “Portfolio Holders should review, with their Corporate Directors, the performance and project management of all existing projects within their respective portfolios and report their findings to the Leader of the Council and the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee together with such additional actions as the Leader wishes to undertake.

(c)   Include consideration of the use of resources section of the External Auditors report at the December meeting of the Committee.

(d)  The following Councillors be appointed to the Task and Finish Groups identified to undertake the enquiries referred to in the decision of Council on 6 August 2024 (Minute 31 refers):

-          Asset Management arrangements of the Council Task and Finish Group – Appointed Members: Councillors Bensilum, Newton, Steady, M Cossens, Sudra and Harris

-          Housing Strategy, Development and Infrastructure Task and Finish Group – Appointed Members: Councillors Harris, Bensilum, Doyle, Casey, Goldman and Fairley

-          Council Enforcement Arrangements Task and Finish Group – Appointed Members: Councillors Harris, Newton, P Honeywood, S Honeywood and Wiggins