Agenda item - Chair's Communications

3.1 The Chair gave the following communication: It is always going to be a challenge holding the first Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting following a change to an Executive and scrutiny model of governance. There are decisions being made that are too far along for us to scrutinise in any meaningful way. Therefore, in this first meeting we are going to be hearing from those Cabinet Members whose portfolios align with the remit of this Scrutiny Committee to hear from them about their priorities and to ask questions of them. In an Executive and Scrutiny system the relationship between the two is incredibly important. We want to form a good working relationship with the cabinet and to be able to be a critical friend to them.

We are joined by Cllrs Tristram Burden, Gill Williams, Leslie Pumm, and Jacob Taylor today. Tristram will present on his portfolio of adult social care and public health; and Leslie on his portfolio of communities, equalities and human rights. Unfortunately, Cllr Emma Daniel won’t be able to attend today’s meeting. She has circulated some information on her priorities and Cllr Jacob Taylor will be available to answer any questions members may have.

Following this meeting, I will ask officers to arrange an informal meeting for all People committee members to agree an outline 2023-24 People O&S work plan, drawing on the presentations that we will hear today plus whatever work plan ideas O&S committee members have. I want to stress that Scrutiny is a member led process and that it will be for People Committee members to agree a work plan. However, I believe that it is essential that this is informed by the Council Plan priorities and that we concentrate our time and resources on issues where we can make a difference, in other words, a policy that is being developed and we can contribute to it.

Going forward into the Autumn and beyond, we will have a chance to look more closely at plans and strategies as they are formed, have an input into council policies, and to scrutinise decision making.