Issue - meetings

For Council to receive the Annual Report on scrutiny activity in 2021/22.

Full Council were being requested note the Scrutiny Annual Report 2021/22. The Scrutiny Commission and the Finance & Resources Scrutiny Committee had considered the report. The report detailed the work undertaken by the two committees in the first year following Vesting Day.

The report noted that a Scrutiny Conference had been held in 2021 to formulate a Scrutiny Work Plan which the committees were addressing. This Plan would be subject to review. The Report also detailed the specific tasks undertaken by the respective committees during 2021/22.

The recommendation was MOVED by Councillor Wendy Brackenbury and SECONDED by Councillor Mark Pengelly.

Councillor Hakewill felt it was important that scrutiny members received further training and considered opportunities for greater public interaction, a view supported by Councillor John McGhee.

Councillor John McGhee suggested that going forward all chairs of scrutiny committees should be allocated to Opposition councillors, to demonstrate greater transparency and challenge.

Councillor Smithers restated his view that a strong and challenging scrutiny process was important to the Council. Councillor Smithers indicated that he was aware the Monitoring Officer was undertaking a review of current arrangements in order to strengthen governance structures and enhance scrutiny arrangements.

Councillor Wendy Brackenbury, in conclusion, confirmed that training for scrutiny members was already identified as a priority.

RESOLVED that: -

(i)               The Scrutiny Annual Report 2021/22 as attached as Appendix A to the report be noted.