Agenda item

To consider the attached report.

The Democratic Services Manager, presented a report regarding a review of the overview & scrutiny select committee framework for 2019/20.

He advised that the Council’s People Strategy, had now progressed and the two Strategic Directors and eight Service Directors had been appointed with the intention from the Leader, to realign the responsibilities of the Cabinet with this new structure. Furthermore, it was assumed appropriate to review the overview and scrutiny framework as well. Following a joint meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen held on 3 September 2018, the option favoured was for the establishment of two select committees as follows; 

Communities & Neighbourhoods Select Committee

Covering the following service areas:

·                 Housing and Property Services;

·                 Community and Partnership Services;

·                 Contract and Technical Services; and

·                 Planning Services.

Governance & Resources Select Committee

Covering the following service areas:

·                 Governance and Member Services;

·                 Business Support Services;

·                 Customer Services; and

·                 Commercial and Regulatory Services.

It was proposed that the lead officer for each of these select committees would be one of the Council’s new Strategic Directors and that a focused and achievable work programmes would be developed, drawing from the Portfolio Holder and service delivery aims and objectives. There would be no increase in meetings or membership to the select committees and it would continue to appoint in accordance with the pro-rata provisions.

Furthermore, the adoption of the new overview and scrutiny framework was not a matter reserved to the Council, although any changes would need to be considered by the Constitution Working Group. The Government was currently preparing new statutory guidance on overview and scrutiny, to reflect the changing role of scrutiny and this was expected to be published in December 2018.

Councillor J.H. Whitehouse enquired whether any consultation had been completed with members and possible training requirements for overview and scrutiny. Councillor M. Sartin advised that the committee had decided to reconsider the framework of the select committee last year and training was provided at the start of each year. The Democratic Services Manager advised that overview and scrutiny  training was provided each year following local elections.

Councillor S. Neville had concerns over the suggested framework leading to less scrutiny; that the changes to the national scrutiny framework could impact on this; and asked whether external scrutiny would still take place. The Democratic Services Manager advised that the national changes would be unlikely to prescribe how the Council established its internal arrangements, but that they would probably be around giving scrutiny a wider remit. He advised that external scrutiny would continue. Councillor M. Sartin advised that some items were cyclical and did not always require a presentation to the committee but a members briefing or an item placed in the Members Bulletin would be more beneficial.

Councillor D. Wixley advised that he could see some benefits that would enable the appointed members on those committees a larger overview of the council.  He asked whether this would be an opportunity for other members to take part in Task and Finish panels. Councillor M Sartin advised that Task and Finish Panel were open to all members and notification for these panels were normally promoted in the Members Bulletin.

Councillor D. Wixley commented that once the Council had been through the reorganisation, it may be a good opportunity for training and a presentation of how the Council had been restructured, which the Chairman concurred.

Councillor S. Murray asked what consultation took place with members and the established groups before the recommendations were made. The Democratic Services Manager advised that this formed part of the consultation and no other discussion had taken place. The recommendations presented before members had been developed from discussion with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny and the current select committees. Councillor S Murray advised that he had concerns over the recommendations. The Acting Chief Executive advised that the drive for the changes to the framework had been officer led  to align with the new officer structure, service areas and Portfolio Holder responsibilities. He stated that the two select committees would have a membership of 15 and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would have the same, therefore 45 members would be involved in the scrutiny of the Council. There was a need to make a distinction between service briefings and the scrutiny of service which had not always occurred.

Members concurred, although it was thought that further consultation was required. The Democratic Services Manager advised that there was sufficient time to complete a consultation on the framework and that the committee could determine whether there was a need to establish a Task and Finish Panel following the consultation.

RESOLVED:

(1)          That all members be consulted on the proposed select committee framework arrangements through the Members Bulletin as soon as possible; and

(2)          That the results of such consultation be reported to the next meeting of the committee.