Issue - meetings

·       To adopt an amended work programme for 2023/24.

·       To confirm arrangements to identify items to be discussed at the Committee’s meeting in May 2024.

1.    To adopt an amended work programme for 2023/24.

2.    Confirm arrangements to identify items to be discussed in the Committee meeting in May 2024.

The report was presented by the Scrutiny Adviser noting the following main points:

Members were reminded that the Communities Scrutiny Committee's Amended Forward Programme for 2023/24 had been adopted at the Committee's meeting on 30 November 2023.

It was detailed that the 'Article 4 Direction - Public Consultation' item had been programmed for the 18 April 2024 meeting. ⁠It was emphasised that it was necessary to consider what was intended to be scrutinised as the meeting would be held during the period prior to the election of Police and Crime Commissioner, which would be held on 2 May 2024. It was confirmed that the Monitoring Officer had given guidance that the matter should not be scrutinised during the period prior to the election due to the nature of the discussion in relation to introducing an Article 4 Direction.

It was explained that a date had been noted within the draft 2024/25 committees’ calendar, which would provide an opportunity for timely scrutiny before the Cabinet reached a decision on the matter. ⁠It was noted that it was intended to hold the meeting on 16 May 2024, but it was explained that this depended on the Full Council's decision at its meeting on 7 March 2024, when Members would consider the committees calendar.

As a result of this change, it was confirmed that the Scrutiny Adviser had consulted with the Chair to reprogramme the 'Highway Maintenance Manual' item from this meeting (22 February 2024), to the meeting that would be held on 18 April. ⁠It was explained that this would provide an opportunity to give fair attention to the items as three items had been programmed for each meeting.

Due to the lack of time between meetings on 18 April and 16 May 2024, it was proposed that the Chair and Vice-chair identified items for discussion as well as the 'Article 4 Direction - Public Consultation' item at the meeting in May, at their contact meetings with the relevant Heads of Department and Cabinet Members. It was explained that this would ensure sufficient time for the Departments to prepare the reports. It was noted that a report would be submitted to the Committee on 18 April 2024, to confirm the items to be scrutinised in the May meeting.

Members were reminded of the opportunity to prioritise items to be scrutinised for the remaining meetings in 2024/25 at the Committee's Annual Workshop.

RESOLVED

1.     To adopt an amended work programme for 2023/24.

2.     Confirm arrangements to identify items to be discussed at the Committee meeting in May 2024.