Agenda and minutes

To receive any announcements from the chairman.

The chairman ran through protocol for the first virtual South scrutiny committee.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the committee minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2020.

The minutes of 4 February 2020 were agreed as an accurate record, and the chairman will sign them as such.

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting. 

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

None.

To receive notification of any matters which the chairman determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent. 

None.

An opportunity for the committee to review the Cabinet’s developing thinking on the Corporate Plan 2020-24 themes and illustrative projects and provide any recommendations to Cabinet on its contents in advance of any public engagement and Cabinet on 9 July 2020.

The Cabinet member for Corporate Services introduced the draft Corporate Plan documents.

It was confirmed that comments made by the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) had already been incorporated into the draft. Now, the scrutiny committee is being asked to provide their comments.

The consultation to follow Cabinet briefing will be meaningful, and the public will be asked to prioritise what they want.

There are six themes. The need for strategic and operational partnership as an underlying principle has been reflected.

As well as the public, the consultation is important for staff, so they can see where they fit in our broader aims, and to increase job satisfaction and making sure staff are listened to.

Committee chairman led the committee through the report, followed by the illustrated themes.

On the report, Councillors has some comments on page three, item 15, regarding consultation. Cabinet member for Corporate Services informed the committee that improvements were being sought through an improved consultation survey, which includes multimedia, with video clips from Cabinet members introducing their themes. There will be an online questions and answers session in August also.

Discussion was had on what constituted a valid response to the consultation. Cabinet member for Corporate Services confirmed that the aim was for quality and a fair spread of responses from different groups within the community.

Councillors were keen to see reaching out to diverse groups.

Regarding the timelines for the plan, it was confirmed that the timelines were achievable despite Covid-19 impact. The Policy and Insight manager confirmed that her team had been working towards the October Council date, and there is confidence in this timing. The team are very focused on the Corporate Plan right now.

Cabinet member for Corporate Services added that there is confidence that people will engage, and that there would be engagement monitoring. In response to a question about monitoring, Cabinet member for Corporate Services confirmed there would be key performance indicators set once the lower projects (that are created from the six broader themes) were set. We are committed to two-way communication with the public and stakeholders. A yearly report will be produced.

The committee discussed reaching people on low income, the elderly etc, where some people might not have internet access. Can there be some poster distribution or placing of documents in libraries/public places. Cabinet member for Corporate Services did remind the committee that Covid-19 restrictions may impede our movement (site visits are an issue) but the request is noted.

The timeline chart was praised.

Councillors were keen to ensure we kept promises. Promises of a leisure centre in the old Corporate Plan were cited. Cabinet member for Corporate Services emphasised that we have a theme on openness, as this is a very important priority to the council and we are committed to it.

Next, the Chairman led the committee through the illustrative themes. The feedback is outlined as follows:

Theme 1

• Ensuring that we are being clear and honest – focussing on what we as a district  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

To review the attached scrutiny work schedule. Please note, although the dates are confirmed, the items under consideration are subject to being withdrawn, added to or rearranged without further notice.

The work programme was reviewed, and a few queries were raised as follows:

·         What is the content of the item on ‘affordable housing delivery vehicle’ and what date was it due?

·         Suggestion of combining ‘civil parking enforcement’ and ‘car parking fees’ item if possible.

·         Queried the budget monitoring item – it was confirmed that this is a regular item that should be kept on the scrutiny work programme