Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items of business.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered

c)  any matters arising out of those items and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

 There were no declarations of interest made.

To consider the minutes of the meeting on 21^st March 2022.

Moved by Councillor David Dixon and seconded by Councillor Andrew Joesbury

RESOLVED that the Minutes of a Customer Services Scrutiny Committee held on 21st

           March 2022 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the minutes of the extraordinary meeting on 26^th April 2022.

Moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Rita Turner

RESOLVED that the Minutes of a Customer Services Scrutiny Committee held on 26^th April 2022 be approved as a correct record.

(Members should contact the officer whose name appears on the List of

Key Decisions for any further information.  NB: If Members wish to discuss an exempt report under this item, the meeting will need to move into exempt business and exclude the public in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and Local Government Act 1972, Part 1, Schedule 12a for that part of the meeting only).

Committee considered the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private document.

Moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Rita Turner

RESOLVED that the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private document be noted.

The Assistant Director for Development and Planning provided Members with a progress update on the Transformation Programme originally agreed in 2018.  As noted in the report, the previous Customer Services & Transformation Scrutiny Committee monitored progress against the Plan, receiving periodic updates from the Transformation Governance Group. 

Members were reminded that from 130 ideas, 57 projects were formed of which 12 have been completed and are forecast to deliver £1m in revenue efficiencies.  The Assistant Director reminded Members of the changes that had taken place to the programme during the pandemic (sections 1.4 – 1.9).  As noted in section 2 of the report, changes to staffing structures and responsibilities, alongside completion of projects and the integration of other monitoring arrangements via the Business Growth Strategy and the ICT Strategy Working Group, have resulted in the Council no longer needing a separate Transformation Programme and associated governance arrangements.  Consequently the Transformation Governance Group has ceased.

Cllr Heffer raised concerns re electric fleet and the potential flexibility and sustainability of the vehicles.  It was suggested that the relevant Assistant Directors be contacted, but was noted that the Climate Change & Communities Scrutiny Committee would look at this through their monitoring arrangements.

A discussion took place around transformation/development within the District’s main town centres and it was noted the Council was looking at the Shared Prosperity Fund to help fund potential developments.

This update formed the last transformation update to the Committee.

Moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Andrew Joesbury

RESOLVED that the update on the Transformation Programme and the subsequent changes to the management and governance of the objectives formerly contained in the now discontinued Transformation and Carbon Reduction Plans, be noted.

(Assistant Director of Development & Planning)

Committee considered their proposed work programme for 2022/23.  Members discussed outstanding pieces of work to be completed in advance of the Elections in May 2023.

Cllr Joesbury requested that further information briefings took place on the impact of Levelling Up and the potential County Deal.  The Scrutiny & Elections Officer agreed to follow this up with senior officers and Executive as it was relevant to all Members rather than the Committee.

Moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Rita Turner

RESOLVED that the Work Programme 2022/23 be approved and noted.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)