Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M Smith.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

None.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

The committee welcomed Councillors Clarke and Payne who attended to discuss a range of issues relating to their areas of responsibility.  The Chief Executive, Mike Hill, also attended the meeting.

Both Councillors Clarke and Payne addressed a number of questions that had been sent to them in advance of the meeting and the following issues were discussed.

The financial position of the council was outlined and how the impact of Covid 19 on the resources available for the continued delivery of the Gedling Plan were being reviewed. It was explained how the loss of income from leisure and car parking was being addressed and what measures were being put in place to safely open, and encourage visits to, leisure centres and the Bonington Theatre.

Issues relating to procurement , contract management and the benefits of utilising expertise provided by Bolsover District Council Procurement Team were explained.

The Councils agile and flexible working policies were described and the measures introduced to maintain social distancing for staff members returning to work in the Civic Centre were highlighted.

The development of an Executive Scrutiny Protocol was welcomed and Councillor Payne welcomed closer working on policy development with the committee.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Thank Councillor Clark and Councillor Payne for their attendance; and

2)    Note the information.

Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services   

The Chief Executive introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting summarising performance at the end of Quarter 1.

The report informed members about the status of indicators and actions at the end of Quarter 1, it was explained that 8 actions were on target, 12 had missed target with a further 6 slightly below target. Of the 96 actions included in the Gedling Plan one was complete and the remained were progressing or assigned to an officer. Some of the actions have been delayed because of Covid-19 but would be completed at a later date.

Example of particularly positive performance were highlighted and indicators affected by compliance with Covid-19 restrictions were discussed.

RESOLVED to:

Note the progress against Actions and Performance indicators for Quarter 1 in the Gedling Plan 2020/21.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Members considered the Scrutiny Annual Report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, which discussed the work of the committee and its working groups during the preceding year.

RESOLVED:

That the report should be submitted to Council.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

2019/20 Scrutiny Work Programme

Members discussed the responses to the scrutiny reports

·         Economic Development Working Group, The Opportunity to Intervene - for economic and social reasons.

Members acknowledged the positive response to this report but were aware that due to the effects of Covid-19 that currently there would probably be little scope for property investment.

·         Executive-Scrutiny Protocol

This had earlier been discussed by Councillor Payne who saw the protocol as a positive way to improve how the Committee and Cabinet worked together, he also welcomed the committees’ greater involvement in policy development.

Housing Allocations Consultation

Members were informed that information regarding the results of the consultation would be available at the next committee.

Information updates from previous items at committee

A full update regarding the use and availability of temporary accommodation will be available at the next committee.

2020/2021 Scrutiny Work Programme

·         Planning Policy

A working group was established to enable the committee to contribute to the consultation White Paper - Planning for the Future.

·         Scrutiny Working Groups

Members discussed prioritising the review which would be considering flooding in the borough, the review which would be examining housing would commence once the Planning Policy working group has completed its work.

Scrutiny in Committee

Members noted the information.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the responses to the scrutiny working group reports;

2)    Establish a working group to consider the White Paper – Planning for the Future; and

3)      Prioritise the review of flooding in the Borough.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Members considered a report which had been circulated in advance of the meeting which included information on items referred to the chair as required by the constitution.

None.