Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chair of Scrutiny Programme Board.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Annual Scrutiny Report 2024/25.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the Scrutiny annual update report in respect of the Scrutiny work achieved during the municipal year 2024-25.

Particular reference was made to:

·        the timing was now aligned with the municipal year;

·        the new format was highlighted, which provided further details on matters considered by scrutiny, and would be developed further to show the impact that scrutiny achieves; and

·        thanks were given to Democratic Services Officer, Liz Smith, for her hard work in conjunction with the members of the Scrutiny Programme Board, to make these changes.

During the debate, the following points were made:

·        the report had already been presented to both scrutiny committees;

·        the new report layout highlighted the impact of scrutiny and recommendations were now being presented to Executive and actions being taken;

·        the changes made to how scrutiny functioned was welcomed; and

·        the Portfolio Holder engagement and debates at Scrutiny meetings were useful;

An opposition group leader raised the following points and questions:

·        expressed thanks for the for work undertaken on the annual scrutiny report;

·        highlighted that a discussion had been held about addressing the wording regarding money relating to a portfolio holder and the important outcome; and

·        there was a long-standing request that scrutiny meetings be broadcast to allow the community to see and hear discussions.

In response to questions raised, the Leader advised that the matter for broadcasting scrutiny meetings had been raised last year, and a discussion about the possibility would take place. He also advised that the report was for Council approval, and it was not appropriate for the Executive to make any changes to the scrutiny report.

The Leader moved, and Councillor Wright seconded, the recommendations which were voted upon and CARRIED unanimously.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Annual Scrutiny Report 2024/25.