Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies and to be notified of the attendance of substitutes.

The minutes of the meeting were confirmed and signed.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2025 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To consider any matter referred to the Committee for a decision in relation to the call in of a decision.

There were no call-ins to be considered.

A verbal update will be provided to the Committee from the Licensing Manager in relation to the responses from GamCare.

Members noted a presentation by the Licensing Manager in relation to responses from GamCare.

The Committee is asked to review the Annual Scrutiny Report 2024/25 and to recommend the Report to be forwarded to Council.

Members noted that the Overview & Scrutiny Committee continues to be an active and integral part of the Council’s governance arrangements, with Committee members acting as a critical friend and scrutinising a range of topics throughout 2024/25. It provides a vehicle for elected Members to influence the development of Council policies and enhances transparency and accountability to residents. It was also noted that the Committee suggest service improvements through recommendations.

Scrutiny engagement has included appointing working groups, receiving presentations and taking reports with question-and-answer sessions. This has enabled scrutiny to take an in-depth look at specific areas within the Council and has provided a variety of opportunities for Members to discuss and add value to key service areas. During 2024/25, the Committee received no call-ins.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Annual Scrutiny Report 2024/25 be noted.

To review suggestions from Councillor A Cooper to add the topics to the Scrutiny Work Programme.

The Committee considered two requests for scrutiny from Councillor A Cooper. The first involved councillors’ use of ICT and it was stated that there had been inconsistencies which had affected the councillors’ abilities to use their IT systems. It was requested that members be contacted before further information is presented at the meeting in September 2025. Councillor Cooper’s second suggestion involved health and safety issues regarding overgrown trees on Council property which threatened damage to private property. The Assistant director of Environment Services was present to explain processes within the service and it was agreed that the policy be circulated to Members for information and assist them further in understanding timescales within the service.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The issue of Members’ use of ICT services be reported back to the meeting for further information and consideration.

2.     A Task and Finish Group be formed to consider the issue of Cemetery Memorials.

3.     The subject of Occupational Therapy be added to the Committee Work Programme.

4.     A delegation be granted to the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to contact councillors to form Task and Finish Groups and schedule the Group meetings.

To inform the Committee of items on the Cabinet’s work programme, from which items for scrutiny may be identified.

The Committee noted the Cabinet Work Programme.

Committee is asked to approve its Work Programme, including identifying topics for scrutiny, that will help to achieve the Council’s key priorities and associated objectives.

The Committee considered the Work Programme and noted the previous additions to the Work Programme of Cemetery Memorials and Occupational Health.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme, as amended, be approved.