Agenda and minutes

Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 November 2019.

There was brief discussion regarding issues raised at the previous meeting, however, with no amendments required to the minutes it was

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 November 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Members may make any declarations of interest at this point and may also make them at any point during the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made at this stage of the meeting.

There are no outstanding matters arising. As of 23 December 2019, all previously agreed actions have been completed.

The Chairman stated there were no outstanding matters arising and as of 23 December 2019, all previously agreed actions had been completed.

The Chairman invited the Senior Performance Officer to comment on the Progress and Delivery report for period 2 of 2019/20 and to explain the measures for those Committee Members who may not be accustomed with these reports. The Senior Performance Officer explained how the measures were identified and set and how data was collected against these. The Committee heard that the annual review of the progress and delivery measures had just been completed. She also explained that the report was an exceptions report, meaning not every performance measure was detailed.

The Chairman enquired about the work which had been undertaken to set new performance measures and it was highlighted that those measures would come into effect in the 2020/21 financial year. She requested that the full list of measures be sent to all Members and information be shared in order for all aspects of progress and delivery reporting to be explained. It was agreed that this information could be shared through the Members’ Newsletter.  

There were questions raised regarding use of CCTV, the CCTV cameras at the Gainsborough leisure centre and also concerns raised about cleanliness levels at the leisure centre. The Vice-Chairman noted that, as detailed in the minutes from both the Prosperous Communities Committee and the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, these issues had been raised and were being addressed by Officers. The Monitoring Officer undertook to clarify concerns regarding CCTV at the leisure centre.

With regards to the report being discussed and the recommendation to the Committee, the Vice-Chairman read aloud the recommendation and stated that, as given in the minutes of the two policy meetings, she believed there was sufficient challenge being made. The recommendation was moved and seconded and it was therefore

RESOLVED that the Committee be assured the appropriate level of challenge was being made by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and the Prosperous Communities Committee to the information contained in the report.

The Monitoring Officer explained the purpose of receiving the Forward Plan and suggested that, if there were no requests for pre-decision scrutiny items at this time, Members could consider options at a later date.

There was discussion amongst Members regarding the leisure contract, sports development and outreach programmes as well as questions regarding the Trinity Arts Centre. The Monitoring Officer suggested there were options for inviting relevant Officers to attend Committee should Members request for this to happen.

The Vice-Chairman enquired about the rough sleeping and homeless strategy detailed on the Forward Plan and the Monitoring Officer agreed to share details of the report and strategy with Committee Members in advance of it being heard at the Prosperous Communities Committee.

            RESOLVED that the forward plan be noted.

A Member of Committee enquired about the pre-decision scrutiny item regarding the Caistor Southdale Development. The Monitoring Officer explained that this was due to be heard at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to any decision being made at the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee but the timescale was not yet confirmed.

            RESOLVED that the Committee Workplan be noted.

To resolve that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Members of Committee discussed recent issues with flooding across the district and commented on individual circumstances they were aware of. The Chairman highlighted that questions would be shared with the Environment Agency in advance of their attendance at the meeting in February and, whilst this would not preclude additional questions on the night, the purpose of discussions at this stage was to finalise the advance questions.

A Member of Committee suggested that Ward Members be invited in order to represent their areas, especially where there had been local difficulties. It was agreed this was a sensible suggestion and all Members would be made aware of the details of the meeting.

The Committee further discussed the areas covered by the proposed questions and suggestions were made to include slight alterations. The Democratic and Civic Officer made a note of the amendments and it was

RESOLVED that the questions, as amended, be confirmed and shared with the Environment Agency in advance of the February meeting.