Agenda item

The report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

The Service Manager – Finance and Corporate Services presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services which asked the Group to create and receive feedback on the scrutiny group work programmes based on the Cabinet Forward Plan, Corporate Strategy, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Investment Strategy and Transformation Plan. The Group were also asked to consider potential topics for scrutiny which were submitted by Councillors and Officers.

The Group discussed the current scrutiny work programmes. Councillor Walker suggested that the pedals community group attend the Growth and Development Scrutiny Group in order to increase public engagement. The Chairman agreed to discuss this suggestion with the Executive Manager – Communities.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Corporate Overview Group would require the Group to discuss a list of potential items for scrutiny from May 2021. Councillors raised concerns that most of the items were for the Communities Scrutiny Group to be scrutinised and that meetings had been very long and items towards the end of the agendas felt rushed. The Group suggested that more meetings for the Communities Scrutiny Group be added to the timetable of meetings for 2021/22 to ensure that all items were scrutinised thoroughly. The Service Manager – Finance and Corporate Services suggested that the scrutiny groups should consider items which were time critical such as policies and also proposed that the Corporate Overview Group could scrutinise additional items on behalf of the Communities Scrutiny Group. The Chairman noted that on-going issues such as dog fouling and littering were time critical for residents and should therefore also be prioritised for the scrutiny work programmes.

Items for the scrutiny work programmes which had been suggested by councillors included; ‘Update on current performance and resources for Rushcliffe’ which would enable the Communities Scrutiny Group to be provided with updates regarding resource deployment and project work for example, operation Reacher and the Group would also be able to scrutinise crime and community safety performance over the last 12 months. It was agreed that this would be added to the Communities Scrutiny Group work programme for 2021/22.

Following a discussion, it was concluded that inclusive language was covered by the revised Rushcliffe Equalities Scheme for January 2021. Additionally, the topic of ‘an energy self-sufficient Borough’ would initially be discussed as part of the Carbon Management Plan Update in April 2021 and could be discussed further in 2021/22 based on future recommendations.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services be noted. 

b)    The work programmes outlined below be agreed.

Corporate Overview Group

23 March 2021

·       Feedback from Scrutiny Chairmen

·       Consideration of Scrutiny Group Work Programmes

·       Finance and Performance Management

Governance Scrutiny Group

4 February 2021

·       Internal Audit Progress Report

·       Internal Audit Strategy

·       Annual Audit Letter

·       External Audit Annual Plan

·       Treasury and Asset Investment Strategy Update

·       Risk Management

·       Work Programme

18 May 2020

·       Internal Audit Progress Report

·       Internal Audit Annual Report

·       Annual Governance Statement

·       Work Programme

Growth and Development Scrutiny Group

20 January 2021

·       Management of Open Spaces in New Developments – Part Two

·       Abbey Road and Crematorium Update

·       Work Programme

21 April 2021

·       Cycling Networks in the Borough

·       Work Programme

Communities Scrutiny Group

28 January 2021

·       Dog Fouling, Littering and Fly Tipping – Part Two

·       Edwalton Golf Course

·       Rushcliffe Equality Strategy – part two

·       Work Programme

29 April 2020

·       Carbon Management Plan

·       Work Programme