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 respects of enquiries undertaken and a list of forthcoming decisions for which public notice has been given.

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Director (Corporate Policy & Support) which provided 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 respects of enquiries undertaken and a list of forthcoming decisions for which public notice had been given.

 

Members were reminded that the Council had commissioned the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) to undertake an ‘Overview & Scrutiny Development Review’ in 2021 as a way of further improving that function at the Council.  Two relevant recommendations arising from that review had been:

 

“Further strengthening the annual process for developing work programmes for each O&S committee - Engaging Members, Officers, partners and the public to prioritise the topics for review. This could include a selection criteria to identify appropriate topics for the work programme. Currently the work programme is also the last item on the agenda at O&S meetings, we would recommend bringing it to the beginning, so it can be given greater priority and benefit from more considered discussion, rather than being subject to the inevitable end of meeting fatigue.

 

Reviewing how the recommendations are made and how impact is measured – This could include putting the ‘recommendations monitoring report’ at the beginning of agendas to orientate O&S towards outcomes-focused meetings, alongside an emphasis on finding strong recommendations from questioning to present to Cabinet (or partners) as improvement or challenge proposals.”

 

The inclusion of the matters set out in the “purpose of this report” section above sought further re-enforcement of the inter-relationship of the matters referred to.  As such, it had been designed to further support consideration of work programming of the Committee and contribute to addressing progress with the Corporate Plan.

 

The detailed matters relating to the following matters had been set out in the relevant Appendix identified:

 

(1) Work Programme for 2024/25 approved by Full Council on 6 August 2024 – Appendix A;

(2) feedback to the Committee on the decisions in respect of previous recommendations from the Committee in respects of enquiries undertaken –Appendix B; and

(3) a list of forthcoming decisions for which notice had been given since publication of the agenda for the Committee’s last meeting –Appendix C

 

In considering work programming matters, the Committee was further reminded of the other recommendations from the CfGS review undertaken in 2021:

 

“Considering greater use of task and finish groups – This more informal type of O&S can allow improved cross-party working and detailed investigation of a single issue focussed on producing substantive recommendations.

 

Improved agenda planning and management - Committees should focus on one or two substantive items per agenda to allow for cross-cutting themes to be properly identified and explored, and different insights brought to bear on critical issues.

 

Considering how to engage the public in the work of O&S - This could include O&S going on more site visits in the community, inviting the public to offer ideas for work programmes, and greater use of social media channels for resident input and communicating the progress and impact of scrutiny work.

 

A clearer focus on democratic accountability - Scrutiny of Cabinet Members should form a key part of the work programme, providing an opportunity to hold the Leader and portfolio holders to account for delivery of the corporate plan and any other issues O&S feel is important.”

 

In considering the Work Programme of enquiries, the Committee must have had regard to the Corporate Plan 2024-28 and the themes of that Corporate Plan were:

 

• Pride in our area and services to residents
• Raising aspirations and creating opportunities
• Championing our local environment
• Working with partners to improve quality of life
• Promoting our heritage offer, attracting visitors and encouraging them to stay longer
• Financial Sustainability and openness

 

Members were aware, that an update on NHS Dentistry Provision had been due to be received at this meeting of the Committee. Unfortunately, due to a change in officer responsibilities at SNEE ICB and the annual leave of the new officer in charge, this item had had to be postponed until the next meeting of the Committee which was due to be held on 17 June 2025.

 

It was also noted that the Committee had held an Informal Meeting on Thursday 10 April 2025, with the Assistant Director (Corporate Policy and Support) to discuss the work programme and agenda for this meeting.

 

During the discussion of this report, Members to received an update of the work of the Task & Finish Groups established by the Committee, as appropriate, namely:

 

-        Joint working with Parish and Town Councils; and

 

-        Youth Provision for School Age Children outside of school

 

Officers had been beginning the process of developing the Committee’s work programme for 2025/26. Initially, this had involved seeking suggestions from:-

 

• Members;
• the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader of the Council (through a joint meeting under the Cabinet/Overview & Scrutiny Protocol with the Chairman of the two Overview and Scrutiny Committees, which had also involved the Chief Executive, the Corporate Director (Law and Governance) and the Assistant Director (Corporate Policy & Support);
• Management Team;
• Town and Parish Councils, partner agencies and community groups; and
• The public.

 

Officers will then collate the replies received that are relevant to this Committee, associating suggestions with a corporate plan theme, identifying information sources and possible invitees and what might be the benefit of the enquiries. That collation will then be firstly discussed with the Chairman of the Committee and then by the Committee at an informal meeting, which will be arranged in due course.

 

The proposed Work Programme for 2025/26 together with my annual review of the work undertaken by the Committee during 2024/25 will be formally submitted to the Committee for its approval at its meeting due to be held on 17 June 2025.

 

The Work Programme, as recommended by the Committee, together with the annual review of the work undertaken by the Committee during 2024/25, will then be submitted to the meeting of the Full Council due to be held on 15 July 2025 for its approval.

 

 

Questions by Members:-	Responses:-
For Clacton Councillors who sit on the Committee, would we need to declare an interest in relation to the Community Governance Review for Clacton?   Can we get a statement from the Monitoring Officer that can be read out for clarity?	Keith Simmons – There is no specific requirement to declare an interest, I am however an advocate of showing transparency to the public as to why you may need to.   Yes, we can.

 

 

 

It was unanimously RESOLVED that the Committee:-

 

a)     notes the progress with enquiries set out in its Work Programme 2024/25, plus any feedback to the Committee on the decisions in respect of previous recommendations and the list of forthcoming decisions;

 

b)     notes the oral updates on the work of the two Task and Finish Groups established by the Committee (as referenced in the Work Programme at Appendix A):

 

(i)               Joint working with Parish and Town Councils; and

 

(ii)              Youth Provision for School Age Children outside of school

 

c)     notes the arrangements that are being made for the Committee to consider and decide in due course its Work Programme for 2025/26.

 

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