Agenda and draft minutes

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 Thursday, 25^th September 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting on Thursday, 25 September 2025 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To receive minutes from Working Groups.

There were no minutes from working groups to be considered.

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.

To receive an update on Markets in the borough.

The Committee considered a report updating members on the progress towards ten recommendations relating to markets previously made by the Committee. The Regeneration Projects Manager summarised each of these and responded to several comments relating to the number and location of any new markets, weekend trading, car parking and value for money.

          RESOLVED that a further update be submitted to the Committee in six-months.

To consider the final report of the Cemetery Memorials Task and Finish Group and its recommendations, and resolve to recommend to Cabinet accordingly.

Further responses from Officers will be distributed as a supplement to this agenda.

Members considered the final report of the task and finish group, with the Chair detailing its key recommendations. It was clarified that the Committee would make its recommendations to Cabinet to then take the decision, and that this would be a key decision.

Officers spoke about their concerns that the implementation account for risks in accessibility, public & employee safety, legal & regulatory compliance, and operational delivery. The establishment of a Member-Officer working group to work on the best implementation of Cabinet’s decision was suggested.

Members made comments about the sensitivity of issues relating to cemeteries, the consequences of altering Regulations, the importance of Officer advice, and changing social attitudes.

It was proposed and seconded that a vote be carried out on whether to resolve to add a recommendation to Cabinet on the formation of a Member-Officer working group to aid in implementation. This was carried.

A recorded vote on the matter of resolving the recommendations of the final report of the task and finish group was proposed by Councillor P Owen and seconded by Councillor A W G A Stockwell:

For

H J Faccio

E Winfield

H Land

S P Jeremiah

K A Harlow

S Webb

C Tideswell

S Dannheimer

Against

P J Owen

J M Owen

Abstain

A W G A Stockwell

RESOLVED that a recommendation to Cabinet be added on the formation of a Member-Officer working group to aid in the implementation of the other recommendations.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommends the final report of the cemetery memorials task and finish group and that report’s recommendations to Cabinet.

For the Committee to consider and approve a topic and format for its next scrutiny review, as appropriate.

The Committee discussed areas for its future consideration.

RESOLVED that the items regarding of ICT issues and the Christmas lights switch-on be returned to a future meeting.

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 its Work Programme

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