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 notice has been given since publication of the agenda for the Committee’s last meeting. 

This report will also enable the Committee to approve its proposed Work Programme for 2025/26 for submission to Full Council.

The Committee had been furnished with a report that provided them 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 notice had been given since publication of the agenda for the Committee’s last meeting. 

The report of the Assistant Director (Corporate Policy & Support) had enabled the Committee to approve its proposed Work Programme for 2025/26 for submission to Full Council and also the opportunity to comment on the contents of the Annual Report for 2024/25.

The Democratic Services Manager reminded Members that the Constitution had provided for the two overview and scrutiny committees to submit a work programme to Full Council for approval.  Rule 7 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules had set out the position as follows:

“Each Overview and Scrutiny Committee will submit a work programme for the year ahead and a review of the previous year’s activities to the full Council for approval.  In addition, it will be responsible for co-ordinating and prioritising its work programme on an ongoing basis.

In preparing, co-ordinating and prioritising its programme, each Overview and Scrutiny Committee will take into account:-

• The General Role and Principles of undertaking its functions, as set out in Part 2 Article 6;
• The planned work on the preparation of elements of the Budget and Policy Framework, as set out in the Council’s Business Plan;
• The need for statutory timetables to be met;
• The wishes of all members of the Committee;
• Requests from the Cabinet to carry out reviews; and
• Requests from Group Leaders in accordance with Rule 8.”

The Committee noted that in considering the Work Programme of enquiries, the Committee must have regarded 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

As part of the preparation of the 2025/26 Work Programme, a consultation had been conducted to invite Councillors, partner agencies and members of the public to suggest topics for the Scrutiny Committees’ consideration. Following the consultation, one submission had been received from an anonymous member of the public who requested an enquiry into “American Sweet Shops”. This presumably referred to the American Candy Shop retail chain. The individual wanted a review based on alleged sales of nicotine products to underage children, money laundering and tax avoidance. However, the nearest such shops were in Colchester and Ipswich, and in any case, investigations would fall more appropriately within the purview of Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Excise.

The Committee had held an informal meeting on 22 July 2025 and had considered the items contained within the draft copy of Appendix B.

Members were informed that the Democratic Services Team had also

circulated an early draft of the Scrutiny Annual Report for the year 2024/25, which had been submitted as a “to follow” document (as Appendix F). The Democratic Services Manager requested members of the Committee to read through that document and to submit any comments that they might have via email to the Assistant Director (Corporate Policy & Support) (Keith Simmons), the Democratic Services Officer (Katie Koppenaal) and the Chairman of the Committee.

In relation to the 2025/26 Work Programme enquiry into water quality, Members had been aware that the Chairman of the Committee and the Portfolio Holder for the Environment & ICT, accompanied by Officers, had made a site visit to the Anglian Water Wastewater Recycling Works at Holland Haven. Some notes from that visit had been attached as Appendix E to the main report. The Committee was also reminded of the upcoming visit to the Carless Haltermann oil refinery in Parkeston, near Harwich, which would also form part of the enquiry into water quality in the District.

The members of the Committee discussed the following items, that were set out in Appendix B to the A.1 report in the agenda, for inclusion in the Work Programme 2025/26:

·         Crime and Disorder (Familial Violence/Abuse)

·         Coastal Communities Unit

·         Joint working with Parish and Town Councils

·         Youth Provision of School age Children

·         Grant Funding

·         Joint working with Braintree and Colchester Scrutiny Panels/Committees

·         Review of the Work Programme following submission date for LGR

·         Community Governance Review

·         Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy 2025-28

Members noted their desire to review the work already undertaken by both Colchester and Braintree to prevent any duplication, particularly with respect to the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy, which would remain in force until the establishment of the Unitary Authority.

It was moved by Councillor Ferguson, seconded by Councillor Oxley and RESOLVED unanimously that:

(a)  the Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme for 2025/26 be submitted to Full Council for approval subject to the inclusion of the Water Quality Enquiry, which would give the Committee the opportunity to visit Brightlingsea Harbour Commissions;

(b)  the contents of the report on progress with enquiries set out in its 2024/25 Work Programme, feedback to the Committee on the decisions in respect of previous recommendations and the list of forthcoming decisions be noted.

It was further RESOLVED, also having been moved and seconded by Councillors Ferguson and Oxley, that the Assistant Director (Corporate Policy and Support) be authorised, following consultation with the Committee’s Chairman, to:

(c)   finalise the review of the year 2025/26 Overview and Scrutiny Report to be submitted to Full Council.

(d)  appoint individual Councillors to Task and Finish Groups referenced in the Work Programme for 2025/26 as, ultimately, approved by Council and then to make appropriate arrangements to call meetings of those Task and Finish Groups.