Agenda item

Consideration of Scrutiny Group Work Programmes

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

Minutes:

The Group considered the requests for scrutiny items submitted by either Councillors or officers using the scrutiny matrix. In respect of the ownership of public and open spaces, the Group raised concerns about ownership of the commercial sites and how the Council dealt with those. Councillors were also concerned about what protection there was for residents, as some sites (Sharphill) were already on their third management company. The Group questioned how this item would be scrutinised and noted that there needed to be an understanding of how legal planning legislation could protect the community space. It was noted that this item had already been scrutinised and it was agreed that the Group would be given a briefing note covering what the legislation was and what protection could be given to open spaces, to ensure that they were kept in public use.

The Group then discussed the scrutiny matrix related to the Tree Preservation Order Register being made public and online and noted that this had already been discussed and agreed at the Growth and Development Scrutiny Group.

It was noted that the recommendation for the establishment of a Youth Council, raised as a motion at Council in December, had already been agreed.

Discussions took place on alternative energy policies and emerging technologies and the Group was informed that external participation in the item would give Councillors a better understanding and allow them to make their views known. It was also noted that this work would be undertaken by the Local Development Framework Group. The Group discussed the possibility of splitting the cost between other councils and agreed that a session would be held at Scrutiny to allow Councillors to put forward their views.

The Group discussed the topic of sewage infrastructure and discharge within Rushcliffe and agreed that this item could be considered by either Communities or Growth and Development Scrutiny Group, if external partners were able to attend.

In respect of the scrutiny matrix regarding the Canal and River Trust, the Group stated that it would like a better understanding of what the plans were going forward and agreed that this item would go to Scrutiny.

It was RESOLVED that the work programmes outlined below be agreed.

3 May 2022	· Standing Items o Feedback from Scrutiny Group Chairmen o Feedback from Lead Officer o Consideration of Scrutiny Group Work Programmes o Financial and Performance Management · Rolling Items o Diversity Annual Report o The Impact of Covid-19 on Rushcliffe Borough Council – External Focus
7 June 2022 (provisional date)	· Consideration of Scrutiny Group Work Programmes
6 September 2022 (provisional date)	· Standing Items o Feedback from Scrutiny Group Chairmen o Feedback from Lead Officer o Consideration of Scrutiny Group Work Programmes o Financial and Performance Management · Rolling Items o Health and Safety Annual Report
15 November 2022 (provisional date)	· Standing Items o Feedback from Scrutiny Group Chairmen o Feedback from Lead Officer o Consideration of Scrutiny Group Work Programmes o Financial and Performance Management · Rolling Items o Customer Feedback Annual Report
21 February 2023 (provisional date)	· Standing Items o Feedback from Scrutiny Group Chairmen o Feedback from Lead Officer o Consideration of Scrutiny Group Work Programmes o Financial and Performance Management · Rolling Items

Draft Work Programme 2021-22 / 2022-23 – Governance Scrutiny Group

19 May 2022 (revised date to be 30 June, AGS to be agreed prior to draft accounts publication 31 July 2022)	· Internal Audit Progress Report · Internal Audit Annual Report · Annual Governance Statement (AGS) · Treasury Management Update · Constitution Update · Code of Conduct · External Audit Annual Plan · Annual Audit Letter and Value for Money Conclusion
21 September 2022 (provisional date)	· Risk Management · Going Concern · Asset and Investment Outturn 2021/22 · Treasury Management Update
24 November 2022 (provisional date)	· Internal Audit Progress Report · Annual Audit Report 2021/22 · Statement of Accounts · Streetwise Annual Report · Treasury and Asset Investments – 6 monthly update · Asset Management Plan
23 February 2023 (provisional date)	· Internal Audit Progress Report · Internal Audit Strategy · Risk Management – Update · Treasury and Asset Investments Strategy 2023/24

Work Programme 2021-22 / 2022-23 – Growth and Development Scrutiny Group

	Items / Reports
20 April 2022	· Planning Communications
27 July 2022 (provisional date)	· Conservation Areas – Part Two · Policies relating to Alternative Energy Sources
21 September 2022 (provisional date)	· Covid-19 Business Recovery Update · Sewage infrastructure and discharge within Rushcliffe
4 January 2023 (provisional date)	· ·
8 March 2023 (provisional date)	· ·

Work Programme 2021-22 / 2022-23 – Communities Scrutiny Group

	Items / Reports
28 April 2022	· Waste Strategy · Carbon Management Plan
21 July 2022 (provisional date)	· Sports Development in Rushcliffe · Access Agreement – Canals and Rivers Trust
6 October 2022 (provisional date)	· Establishment of a Youth Council
19 January 2023 (provisional date)	· ·
16 March 2023 (provisional date)	·

Item	Action	Responsible Officer
Covid 19-Internal Focus	Councillors to thank staff in the next issue of Staff Matters	Communications and Customer Service Manager
Finance and Performance Management	Feedback to be given to relevant officer in relation to marketing of Edwalton Golf Course	Communications and Customer Service Manager

Supporting documents: