Agenda and minutes

To note the names of apologies given and deputy members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed members.

Apologies for the meeting were noted as above.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note:  Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.      

If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

None.

That the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 12^th March 2020 be approved and adopted.

To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on matters which fall within the remit of the Committee.

Members of the public and visiting councillors may speak at Scrutiny, provided they have registered to speak three working days in advance.  Please contact Democratic Services by 5pm on Monday 29 June 2020 via democracy@winchester.gov.uk or (01962) 848 264 to register to speak and for further details.

None.

Agreed dates for noting:

·         2 Jul 2020 6.00 pm

·         7 Sep 2020 6.00 pm

·         25 Nov 2020 6.00 pm

·         3 Feb 2021 6.00 pm

The committee agreed to the following dates for its meetings for the 2020/21 municipal year.

• 2 Jul 2020 6.00 pm
• 7 Sep 2020 6.00 pm
• 25 Nov 2020 6.00 pm
• 3 Feb 2021 6.00 pm

Additionally, the committee agreed that when reports discussing housing-related issues were scheduled for future agendas, representatives from TACT would be invited to attend and participate.

Report Reference: SC027 and CAB3244

Report ref SC027 and CAB3244

The Leader introduced the report which had previously been presented at cabinet on the 21 May 2020 and the Chief Executive provided an update on recent activity. The committee was recommended to make comment on the report and identify any aspects that they believed could form part of their future work programme.

The committee asked questions and raised comments which were responded to by officers and the Leader accordingly. At the conclusion of questions and debate, the committee agreed to the following points:

1.    That future scrutiny meetings be given a regular update re Appendix 4 of the report and the related financial impacts.

2.    That the Leader and officers consider holding regular briefings on COVID-19 response and recovery process.

3.    Voluntary Sector ? that members be updated on the status of voluntary groups and how engaged they remain, especially in the event of a second spike of infections.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the reports, (references SC027 and CAB3244) be noted.

2.    That the committee agreed to the comments as shown above.

Report Reference SC029 and CAB3241

Report ref SC029 and CAB3241

The Interim Head of Housing & Finance introduced the item and set out the background to the report which detailed the financial performance of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in 2019/20 and the associated HRA capital programme. The report also requested approval for revised budget forecasts to the 2020/21 HRA budget and capital programme to reflect updated costs and take account of capital programme slippage. The committee was asked to comment on the attached proposals which were being presented to cabinet on the 9 July 2020.

Councillor Learney (cabinet member for housing and asset management) also addressed the committee and invited questions from members.

The committee asked questions and raised comments which were responded to by officers and the cabinet member accordingly. At the conclusion of questions and debate, the committee encouraged the cabinet to be mindful of the potential need for the reassignment of finance for homeless provision should it be required.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the reports, (references SC029 and CAB3241) be noted.

2.    That the committee agreed to the comments as shown above.

Report Reference SC028 & CAB3246

Report Ref SC028 and CAB3246

Councillor Tod (cabinet member for service quality and transformation) introduced the item and set out the background to the report which provided a summary of the council’s progress during the period January to March (Q4) 2020 against the five priorities in the Council Plan 2020-25. Councillor Cutler (deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and risk) also addressed the committee regarding the financial matters contained within the report and invited questions from members. The committee was asked to comment on the attached proposals which were being presented to cabinet on the 9 July 2020.

The committee asked questions and raised comments which were responded to by officers and the cabinet members accordingly. At the conclusion of questions and debate, the committee agreed to the following points:

1. Whether KPIs could provide information showing the council’s performance relating to community development?

2. That officers review the use of specific KPI’s relating to staffing matters within future reports.

3. That officers produce a proposal for how the quarterly performance reports could be scrutinised in greater detail, potentially involving a members’ sub-panel that would report its findings through to this committee.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the reports, (references SC028 and CAB3246) be noted.

2.    That the committee agreed to the comments as shown above.

3.    That if members had further specific queries with the report that these could be sent directly to the cabinet member ahead of the cabinet meeting.

(Report Reference SC023)

Report ref SC023

The committee considered the annual monitoring report which set out the number of key decisions that came forward for a decision, which had not been included in the Forward Plan.

The committee asked questions and raised comments relating to council procurements and equality assessments which were responded to by officers.

RESOLVED:

That the report was noted.

(Report Reference SC026)

Report ref SC026 

The committee noted that the report represented a succinct summary of the main work it had carried out during the previous municipal year.

RECOMMENDED:

That council note the annual scrutiny report for 2019/20.

Report Reference SC024

Report ref SC024

RESOLVED:

That the following appointments be made to the external bodies listed below:

i. Portsmouth City Council – Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel: councillor Achwal (deputy councillor Clear).

ii. Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS) – Scrutiny Champions Network: councillor Brook.

iii. Partnership for South Hampshire overview and scrutiny committee: officers to confirm appointment requirements to be considered at the next meeting of the committee.

(Report Reference SC025)

Report ref SC0025

The committee referred to the draft work programme which would continue to be updated to reflect other business coming forward throughout the 2020/21 municipal year. Following discussion of several potential items to take forward, it was agreed that councillors Brook, Clear and Weir, as policy/scrutiny committee chairs should meet to coordinate, where possible activities across the committee programme.

RESOLVED:

That the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2020/21 be noted.