Issue - meetings

The Chair and Scrutiny Officer confirmed the Climate Change Officer would be present for the meeting in November 2024.

The Committee agreed to consider its Work Programme 2024/25 in the informal scrutiny session.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme 2024/25 be noted and discussed in the informal session.

The Chair presented the Work Programme 2024/25 to the Committee and listed the Terms of Reference of the Committee’s remit.

To a Member’s question on the Terms of Reference, the Scrutiny Officer explained small overlaps existed, such as the Customer Services Scrutiny Committee seeking to review the Council’s security; this could be covered with a joint session with the Committee through its Community Safety Partnership/Police remit.

The Monitoring Officer stated the Council was always looking to make improvements of Scrutiny, and the Scrutiny Officer added most local authorities had only two Scrutiny Committees – finance and thematic.  A Member noted they did not want to see the topic of Climate Change diluted; it was a key responsibility.  The Monitoring Officer added other local authorities had numerous thematic sub-committees to help address specific issues like Climate Change, and this could be a possibility if Scrutiny arrangements changed 2025/26.

The Scrutiny Officer agreed to share with Members the current Terms of Reference of the Committee, and the Council’s other Scrutiny Committees, after the meeting.

The Chair referred the Committee to Page 57 of the report, explaining there was substantial work to review for the coming year as well as 6 topics suggested by Members and Officers listed from Page 59 onwards.  There either could be one large item reviewed by the Committee over 2024/25, or invitations extended to officers outside the Committee to present multiple reports.

Topic 2.1 was a wide-ranging topic of District construction, but this was a substantial topic with overlap of previous work undertaken by the Committee.  The Local Growth Scrutiny Committee would also likely have greater responsibility on such a topic.

A Member noted the topic’s title, “Mitigating Environmental Impacts of District Construction”, needed clarifying; would it cover Dragonfly Development Ltd. construction or all constitution taking place in the District.  The Monitoring Officer suggested any topics chosen needed a clear scope; the last review had been a little ambiguous.  The Member added the topic would likely benefit from a clarified title.

RESOLVED that the suggested topic’s title is clarified before it is considered further.

The Chair explained topic 2.2 was for a presentation of Council governance and disclosure of interest arrangements in relation to Dragonfly Development Ltd.; members of the public had previously expressed concerns, and a short, public presentation could be made to explain/address the interest of Members.  The Monitoring Officer added a presentation could be brought to a future Committee meeting, limited to governance arrangements and set disclosure of interest in all Council business as set out in the Council’s Constitution.

A discussion was held on the merits of a public presentation focussed wholly on Dragonfly Development Ltd., given concerns raised were not broadcast throughout the District.  It was further discussed that the Director of Development of Dragonfly Development Ltd. be invited to comment in this matter and that Members discuss informally before a presentation took place.

A vote was held with four Members in favour and one, Councillor Emma Stevenson, abstaining.

Moved by Councillor Rob  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7

The Scrutiny Officer presented the final Committee Work Programme for the 2023-24 municipal year.  An email had been sent to all Members of the Council, including the Executive and Senior Leadership Team, for the 2024-25 review.  However, the response had been limited and a second email would be sent.

A Member noted with the new municipal year, the Chair of the Committee would change after the Annual Council meeting and the Work Programme for 2024-25 would be discussed.  If other Members had any views, these could also be submitted.  The Scrutiny Officer agreed, insisting that all Members could submit their own proposals for review, including for Committees they were not seated on; all ideas were welcomed.

Councillor Cathy Jeffery entered the meeting.

The Chair stressed that Climate Change was important, but the Committee had other duties to address and scrutinise.  The Monitoring Officer stated that the Scrutiny Officer’s email had outlined all Committees’ scrutiny opportunities, and Members’ proposals were incredibly important.  A Member noted that the scope in the Council’s Constitution for the Committee to scrutinise was vast.

A Member noted the Committees’ work involved crossover on many matters, using the example of transport as this infringed on community safety and policing; scrutinising one topic could result in scrutinising others.

The Scrutiny Officer agreed to resend their email and document pack that helped explain how to approach the Committee’s work.  Once a few more responses were collected, an informal meeting could be arranged to brainstorm ideas in June-July 2024.

The Chair highlighted with the new elected Mayor of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, it would be interesting to know what crossover work would be taking place and whether it was possible for the new Mayor to be invited to a future meeting.  The Monitoring Officer agreed that an invitation could be sent.

Moved by Councillor Rob Hiney-Saunders and seconded by Councillor Catherine Tite

RESOLVED that the report be noted.