Issue - meetings

This is the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council, to ensure good visibility of the function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

The annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

All O&S committees received the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

This is the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council, to ensure good visibility of the function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

The annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

All O&S committees received the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Councillor Stephen Bartlett presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Council was asked to consider the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.

Council was advised that there is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council to ensure good visibility of the function of and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

Council was informed that the annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function, and that in relation to this all O&S Committees received the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

Thanks were expressed to the officers and chairs of each of the scrutiny committees.

RESOLVED that: -

1.    Council considered and commented on the annual report and associated action plan; and

2.    Council approved the proposed minor revisions to the O&S committee structure illustrated at figure 1b within this report. 

Voting: For: Unanimous

This is the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council, to ensure good visibility of the function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

The annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

All O&S committees will receive the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

The Scrutiny Specialist presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The Board was advised that the report had been through all of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees already and would be presented to Council on 15 October. The annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer provided an overview of Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  The report included a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

The Board was asked to comment on the report and in particular the proposed changes to the remit of the Board

The Chair raised some concerns regarding the independence of the Overview and Scrutiny function, the lack of the parity of esteem with the executive and the value of the Board and the Scrutiny function within the Council. 

The Board suggested that it would be useful to have greater clarity in how the functions of the Board align to the different service areas within the Council. The Scrutiny Specialist undertook to provide this information to the Board and thanked the Cahir and Board members for sharing their views.

This is the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council, to ensure good visibility of the function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

The annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

All O&S committees will receive the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

This was an information only report with no presentation or discussion planned and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

This is the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council, to ensure good visibility of the function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

The annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

All O&S committees will receive the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

This item was opened and closed with a view to inclusion as an agenda item at a future meeting.

This is the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council, to ensure good visibility of the function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

The annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

All O&S committees will receive the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

The Committee was advised that this report was for information only as it was being considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

This is the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council, to ensure good visibility of the function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

The annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

All O&S committees will receive the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

The Overview and Scrutiny Specialist presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee was advised that it was the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There was a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council, to ensure good visibility of the function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

The annual report contained a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

All O&S committees would receive the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

The Committee would comment on the proposed minor revisions to the O&S committee structure, outlined at paragraphs 8-10 of this report, prior to Council approval of the structure in October.

The report would need to have any major changes go through Audit and Governance Committee.

RESOLVED that the annual report and associated action plan be considered and commented on.

Voting: Unanimous