Agenda and minutes

Note:              The meeting opened at 6.30pm however, due to technical difficulties, the meeting was promptly adjourned and reconvened at 6.37pm, on resolution of the problems encountered.           

The Chairman undertook the register of attendance for Members and each Councillor confirmed their attendance individually.

The Democratic Services Officer completed the register of attendance for Officers and, as with Members, each Officer confirmed their attendance.

Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 16 February 2021

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 16 February 2021 be confirmed 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.

The Democratic and Civic Officer confirmed there were no outstanding matters arising.

The Chairman introduced the draft version of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report, for discussion and recommendation to Annual Council. It was highlighted that the report covered a two-year period as a result of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chairman gave a brief overview of the contents of the report, from the work of the Flood Risk Working Group to the varied presentations from leisure providers, as well as the initial proposals for the work plan for the 2021/22 Civic Year.

There was significant discussion regarding the work of the Flood Risk Working Group, with the Chairman sharing with the Committee details of conversations that had taken place between relevant interested parties such as the Internal Drainage Boards and representative from Lincolnshire County Council. It was agreed that the work sounded promising and there was support for ongoing flood risk management work.

Members commented on the success of the virtual meetings and enquired as to whether there would be future options for that to continue. The current circumstances were explained the Committee Members although it was hoped that the Government would consider future options for continuing with virtual meetings to some extent.

With regard to future work streams for the Committee, it was explained that the work of the Flood Risk Working Group would continue into the new Civic Year, with a report to be presented to the Committee with recommendations to the relevant policy committee. A Member of the Committee suggested that a representative from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust be invited to a meeting in relation to health provision across the district, and specifically the community hospital in Gainsborough.

With no further comments relating to the draft Annual Report, the Chairman called the vote and it was

RESOLVED that the presentation of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report to Council be supported and any comments made through the course of the debate be further considered by the Monitoring Officer and Chairman of the Committee.

The contents of the Forward Plan were NOTED.

The Democratic and Civic Officer introduced the workplan for the Committee. The request to invite United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust was reiterated and with no further comment, the work plan was NOTED.