Agenda item

To consider recommendations made to the Executive from Scrutiny Committees.

Strategic Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 15 January 2026 - Minute No. 33 – Unauthorised Encampments

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the Executive Committee agreed to explore the viability and impact of a Negotiated Stopping Policy.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the recommendation of Scrutiny and agreed at the meeting.

Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 22 January 2026 - Minute No. 100 – Medium Term Financial Plan

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the Executive Committee agreed to consider:

(1) that a peppercorn rent continue for Citizens Advice Exeter;

(2) whether more resources can be directed to the Parks and Green Spaces Team;

(3) whether the Climate Action Plan could be strengthened by adding an Adaptation and Resilience plan; and

(4) strengthening support for the community asset transfer.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the recommendations of Scrutiny and agreed at the meeting.

Strategic Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 15 January 2026 - Minute No. 33 – Unauthorised Encampments

The Executive considered the recommendation from the Strategic Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 15 January 2026 on exploring the viability and impact of a Negotiated Stopping Policy.

The Leader advised that the Strategic Management Board (SMB) would be asked to provide views on requirements and implications of the recommendation and explore whether the existing policy could be reviewed and updated as needed to ensure it remained appropriate and current. He further advised that a report could be brought back to Members if required.

The Leader moved the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED that the Executive Committee agreed to explore the viability and impact of a Negotiated Stopping Policy.

Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 22 January 2026 - Minute No. 100 – Medium Term Financial Plan

The Executive considered the recommendations from the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 22 January 2025. He welcomed Councillor Rees as Chair of the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee to speak to the recommendations.

Councillor Rees provided context of the scrutiny process as follows:

·        this was the first full year of a complete budget scrutiny cycle through the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee, following an evolving process over several years;

·        the original intention was for the quarter 4 budget scrutiny to take place in November 2025, to align but due to unforeseen circumstances, the meeting was postponed to January 2026;

·        the November period provided an earlier influence for scrutiny budget development, but the January reported provided more up-to-date financial information;

·        budgets were living documents which could be adjusted during the year and Scrutiny recommendations were intended to support existing work, rather than introduce unexpected proposals; and

·        Scrutiny was advised not to recommend specific figures or funding sources, as this was the responsibility of the Executive.

Councillor Rees explained the recommendations as follows:

·        For the recommendation on the Peppercorn Rent - discussions were already underway, as confirmed by officers.

·        The recommendation for the Community Asset Transfer, arose from cross-party discussions during the scrutiny work on Northbrook Pool. The aim was to improve supporting communities who wished to retain local assets and Officers had already begun making progress and improvements to processes.

·        The recommendation for the Climate Action Plan was informed by a recent Government paper on global biodiversity Loss and ecosystem collapse. The purpose of which, would provide an opportunity to enhance the existing plan by incorporating climate adaptation strategies and community resilience measures.

·        The recommendation for Parks and Green Spaces had been proposed by the Chair to address long-term reductions in council funding, following evidence that the service had been operating with minimal staffing. The ambition and income generation ideas had been shared with officers and within the context of a three-year budget, there may be opportunities to strengthen the service to realise its vision.

The Leader thanked Councillor Rees for attending and the work undertaken by the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee. He confirmed that:

·        The Peppercorn rent issues were already being addressed.

·        Parks and Green Spaces resourcing would be considered but highlighted that many departments were also facing operational pressures, which needed to be considered.

·        The Resident survey results indicated there was already a high satisfaction with parks and open spaces.

·        Regarding the Climate Action Plan, officers regularly reviewed Government publications and relevant policy implications were assessed by Directors and brought forward as appropriate.

·        There was no intention to sell community assets and directors would review the asset transfer policy to ensure it was fit for purpose and advise on any potential improvements.

·        the council was still making £1.1 million of budget changes and emphasised the need to consider proposals within the wider strategic and financial context.

He advised that the Strategic Management Board (SMB) would reflect on the scrutiny recommendations and discuss with the Chief Executive to advise on what was achievable within current priorities and resources. He reiterated his appreciation for the role of scrutiny and confirmed that Members would be kept informed as work progresses.

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

RESOLVED that the Executive Committee agreed to consider:

(1) that a peppercorn rent continue for Citizens Advice Exeter;

(2) whether more resources can be directed to the Parks and Green Spaces Team;

(3) whether the Climate Action Plan could be strengthened by adding an Adaptation and Resilience plan; and

(4) strengthening support for the community asset transfer.