Agenda and draft minutes

Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, previously circulated.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 14 April 2026 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.

There are no matters arising to note.

There were no matters arising.

The Committee considered a report presenting the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Operating Methodology for the 2026/27 civic year. It was noted that the methodology set out how the Committee would undertake its core functions, including performance management, and that the Constitution required the document to be reviewed annually. Following a review undertaken in April 2026, no substantive changes had been proposed other than minor housekeeping amendments to reflect revised policy committee arrangements.

During discussion, the Chairman referred to the section of the methodology relating to project work and expressed concern that the Committee was currently limited in the number of topics it could initiate independently, outside of pre scrutiny referrals, performance management work, or referrals from other committees. Given the forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation, it was suggested that greater flexibility may be required to enable the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to undertake additional in-depth reviews where necessary.

The Chairman requested that the matter be added to the Matters Arising Schedule for Officers to examine the potential of increasing the Committee’s ability to undertake additional project work in future. Members indicated their agreement.

The Chairman also noted that only six meetings of the Committee were scheduled during the civic year, compared with eight in the previous year, resulting in fewer opportunities for scrutiny activity. Members were supportive of the matter also being added to the Matters Arising Schedule for further consideration of the mechanisms which would be used to increase the number of meetings.

Reference was also made to broadband provision, which had been discussed at the previous evening’s meeting of Council. Members were advised that it had been agreed the matter should be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It was suggested that Officers liaise with the Chairman of Council to formalise the referral as a piece of project work for the Committee.

In discussing potential project work arrangements, Members highlighted the value of task and finish groups, providing previous examples including work relating to renewable energy and flooding. It was noted that such groups provided an effective means of undertaking detailed scrutiny and developing recommendations, provided that clear terms of reference, timescales and reporting arrangements were established to ensure work was completed within a defined period.

Having concluded discussion, the Committee indicated its support for the methodology as presented.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Operating Methodology be approved for implementation throughout the 2026/27 civic year.

With no comments, the Forward Plan was DULY NOTED. 

The Committee considered the updated Work Plan for the 2026/27 civic year.

Members of the Committee were advised that Inspector Head's annual attendance had been scheduled for the meeting on 20 October 2026 and that Futures 4 Me had confirmed attendance at the meeting on 23 February 2027. It was also noted that preparation sessions ahead of both visits had been included within the Work Plan. It was also noted that Scrutiny of Thematic Business Plan Progress Updates had been scheduled for September, November and February in line with the Council's reporting arrangements.

The Committee was advised that several potential scrutiny topics had been identified for consideration following suggestions from the Head of Paid Service. These included:

·         an update on West Lindsey District Council's approach to Local Government Reorganisation;

·         the food waste service rollout;

·         attendance by the Chairman of the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board;

·         progress relating to the Asset Management and Community Asset Transfer Policy.

In discussing the proposed topics, Members expressed support for the inclusion of updates relating to Local Government Reorganisation and Pride in Place. Whilst recognising the importance of the food waste service, Members noted that the rollout had been successful and was already subject to consideration elsewhere. It was therefore suggested that further scrutiny may not be necessary at the present time.

A Member queried how the additional items would be accommodated within the existing meeting schedule. Officers advised that the proposals would need to be reviewed alongside reporting timescales and officer work programmes before being incorporated into the Work Plan.

In relation to the Asset Management and Community Asset Transfer Policy, the Chairman suggested that any scrutiny activity be scheduled later in the civic year to allow sufficient time for the policy to become established and its effectiveness to be assessed.

The Chairman also highlighted several items for inclusion within the Work Plan. These comprised scrutiny of the Warm Homes Grants and consideration of the Homelessness Action Plan, particularly in relation to the use and performance of temporary accommodation provision. Members indicated their support for these topics being added to the Work Plan. It was also noted that the previously received Good Homes Alliance paper had been presented to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee where it had been suggested that a future review may also be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chairman noted that Everyone Active did not currently appear on the Work Plan and queried whether it should be included. During discussion, Members acknowledged that oversight of Everyone Active formed part of the remit of the Leisure, Culture, Events and Tourism Working Group. It was agreed that the matter should continue to be considered through that Working Group and that any issues requiring further examination could be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for scrutiny if necessary.

The Committee noted that the Work Plan remained a live document and could be amended throughout the year as further matters arose, it was therefore

RESOLVED that:

a)    the Work Plan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.