Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Thomas and S Barnes.

RESOLVED:

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

None.

Report of the Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services.  

The Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting summarising  performance as at the end of Quarter 4 and Year End of the financial year.

The report informed members about the status of the indicators and actions at year end. It was explained that a number of actions had not progressed as expected due to the pandemic but these would be expected to be completed in 2020/21.

Notable achievements were highlighted including the above target increases in the percentage of calls to the contact centre, customers seen within 15 minutes and the percentage of major planning applications processed within 13 weeks.

During discussion members raised a number of areas about which they requested additional information including:

·         The cost and time spent in temporary accommodation

·         The number of additional new homes built and development on brownfields sites

·         Section 106 money and commuted sums.

RESOLVED to:

Note the progress against Actions and Performance indicators in the 2019/20 Gedling Plan and request additional information relating to those area raised during discussion.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Consideration was given to a report, which had been circulated in advance, relating to the Corporate Risk Management Scorecard Quarter 4 2019/20, advising members of the current level of assurance that can be provided against corporate risk.

Members raised concerns about Risk number 2 Failure to Maintain Financial Integrity and requested additional information about the Council’s ability to continue to deliver all its services.

RESOLVED TO:

·         Request additional information regarding risk number 2

·         Note the progress of actions identifies in the Corporate Risk Register.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Consideration was given to a report that had been circulated in advance of the meeting which described the council’s response to addressing the challenges and issues presented by the Covid 19 Pandemic and the Reset Strategy which sets out the approach to recovery.

Members wanted to record their thanks to all members of staff for the way that they had responded to the pandemic and maintained a high level of service. Members also commented on the role that the voluntary sector had assumed within the community and hoped the role they had undertaken could be maintained and further developed.

RESOLVED to:

Note the report.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer

2019/20 Scrutiny Work Programme

Members noted the information

2020/21 Scrutiny Work Programme

Members discussed a range of issues for inclusion in the work programme.

It was agreed that working groups would be established to examine flooding in the borough and housing development, particularly in respect of affordable and social housing, and that the key questions and focus for the reviews would be developed at the first meeting. A number of members agreed to take part in the working groups and that participation would be open to the wider membership of the Council.

Members requested that they have a role in policy development and that they would like to establish a closer working relationship with the Cabinet. It was agreed that this was an issue that could be discussed when the leader and deputy leader attended the committee in September.

Member’s had a number of concerns relating to the current Procurement Policy and requested that the committee receives an update on current procedures.

Future changes in planning policy were highlighted and the committee asked that they be made aware of the effect of any variations to current policy.  It was agreed that this issue should be included in the work programme and that members should receive information when these changes were implemented.

The programme of portfolio holder attendance was discussed and it was agreed that this should continue. Members requested that in future they receive a written update, prior to the committee meeting, relating to key issues, priorities and challenges that would assist them when identify areas for examination. It would be necessary for Portfolio Holders to attend at least bi-annually.

RESOLVED to:

     I.        Establish working groups to consider flooding problems and housing issues.

    II.        Develop closer a closer working relationship with the Cabinet and an involvement with policy development.

  III.        Include planning policy changes in the future work programme.

  IV.        Request information on current procurement policy.

   V.        Continue with the programme of Portfolio Holder attendance and receive background information to inform questioning.

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 under the constitution.

None.