Issue - meetings

To submit the Scrutiny Annual Report.

To accept the report.

Councillor Beth Lawton, Chair of the Scrutiny Forum during 2024/25, presented the report.

It was noted that the report gave an overview of the scrutiny work done in 2024-25, highlighting the reason for scrutinising and the impact of the scrutiny work. It was highlighted that 41 items had been scrutinised. Attention was drawn to several pieces of work done, which included the establishment of the Safeguarding Arrangements in Schools Scrutiny Investigation, which would report on the work in 2025/26. Another example where the Care Scrutiny Committee had invited external partners on three occasions, and the Communities Scrutiny Committee had pre-scrutinised the proposal to introduce an Article 4 Direction to control the use of second homes and holiday accommodation.

It was expressed that practical adjustments had been made to scrutiny arrangements to make effective use of time by holding informal meetings. It was noted that briefing meetings would be held to give focus on the questioning strategy at the meeting. It was noted that making clear and purposeful recommendations was critical to good scrutiny, and it was explained that they were continuing to develop this element, which, in turn, would enable them to identify the impact of scrutiny.

The officers and members were thanked for their work, as well as the Forum members for the collaboration and the discussions which had contributed to improving scrutiny arrangements.

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations.

It was expressed that in terms of the report, it was difficult to see what the end of the journey would be and that the actual impact of scrutiny was not obvious. A response was given by noting that this had been identified, but some were expressing that they were moving in the right direction in order to get a system that worked better.

Cabinet Members expressed gratitude for the work of the Scrutiny Committee, and that it was reassuring that recommendations were proposed, and that they were highlighting whether the work was going in the right direction.

RESOLVED

To accept the Report.