Issue - meetings

Recommendation:

That the Committee review the Executive’s current programme of Key Decisions to enable the identification of appropriate matters for the overview and scrutiny work programme and the overview of specific decisions proposed to be taken over the period of the plan.

Article 6 (Overview and Scrutiny) of the Constitution requires that the Committee review the Executive’s programme of Key Decisions (the Cabinet Forward Plan) at each meeting, to enable the identification of appropriate matters for the overview and scrutiny work programme and to provide an opportunity for the overview of specific decisions proposed to be taken over the period of the plan.

The Constitution (Article 14 (Decision Making)) defines a Key Decision as an executive decision which:

(a)       involves expenditure or savings of £250,000 or above which are currently within budget and policy;

(b)       involves expenditure or savings of £100,000 or above which are NOT currently within budget and policy;

(c)       is likely to be significant in terms of its effect on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more wards;

(d)       raises new issues of policy;

(e)       increases financial commitments (i.e. revenue and/or capital) in future years over and above existing budgetary approval;

(f)        comprises and includes the publication of draft or final schemes which may require, either directly or in relation to objections to, the approval of a Government Minister; or

(g)       involves the promotion of local legislation.

Wherever possible, Portfolio Holders will attend the Committee to present forthcoming key decisions, to answer questions on the forward plan and to indicate where appropriate work could be carried out by overview and scrutiny on behalf of the Cabinet.

The Executive’s current programme of Key Decisions of 1 November 2021 is attached as an Appendix to this report.

Councillor S Murray was concerned by the small number of Cabinet attending the meeting as in his opinion they should attend. Councillor M Sartin replied that hybrid meetings allowed other members to come in via Zoom. It was noted that Councillors C Whitbread, N Bedford and J Philips had given their apologies.

Councillor S Murray said that he had emailed a portfolio holder three months ago and had only received a holding reply, so what was the expectation of a reply? Councillor M Sartin commented that there was an expectation of a reply within a reasonable amount of time and if a Cabinet member did not have an immediate reply, to acknowledge the email. Councillor H Whitbread said that she did try to reply as soon as possible. Councillor S Kane was usually quick to respond.

Cabinet’s Key Decision List (KDL) updated to the 1 November 2021 was scrutinised by the Committee and the following points were raised.

(a)          Planning and Sustainability Portfolio

It was noted that under Implementation of the Local Plan, the Council had not received a reply from the Inspector yet.

(b)          Finance, Qualis Client and Economic Development Portfolio

Under the description of the wording for the sale of the Pyrles Lane site item, it read, “to agree”, but why not “to consider”? This was noted and the wording would be amended in next month’s KDL.

(c)           Housing Services Portfolio

A draft of the new trees policy had been scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 June 2021, but it had not been to Cabinet yet even though the KDL was showing a decision date of 21 June 2021 and would a final draft come before this Committee? Councillor H Whitbread replied that she would check on the timings so the KDL could be updated.

RESOLVED:

(1)          That the Committee reviewed the Executive’s current programme of Key Decisions of 1 November 2021;

(2)          That the description of the wording for the sale of Pyrles Lane site be amended to, “To consider the sale of the site to Qualis for development” in the next KDL; and

(3)          That the Cabinet decision date for the new policy (trees) item be updated on the next KDL.