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 March 2022 is attached as an Appendix to this report.

Cabinet’s Key Decision List (KDL) updated to 1 March 2022 was scrutinised by the

Committee and the following points were raised.

(a)          Environmental and Technical Services

Regarding the two businesses case items for the transfer of services to Qualis of Ground Maintenance and MOT and Fleet, the Portfolio Holder, Councillor N Avey, replied that it would be pre-scrutinised before Cabinet made a decision.

(b)          Housing Services

Councillor C Whitbread, Leader, confirmed that the item on the new policy on Proposed Change to Service Charges RTB Receipts would come before Scrutiny, prior to a decision by Cabinet.

(c)          Corporate Services

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor D Sunger, confirmed that the Direct Award of the Print Contract would go to Cabinet on 11 April for a decision.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee reviewed the Executive’s current programme of Key Decisions of 1 March 2022.