Issue - meetings

The Council’s constitution provides that Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Committees may consider requests for work from a range of sources, including requests from Portfolio Holders, Cabinet and Council. 

The O&S Committee is asked to consider two requests for scrutiny recently made by Council and one request for scrutiny from a Portfolio Holder, and to determine these requests in line with the associated constitution procedure rules.

The Scrutiny Officer 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.

The Council’s constitution provides that Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Committees may consider requests for work from a range of sources, including requests from Portfolio Holders, Cabinet and Council. 

The O&S Committee is asked to consider two requests for scrutiny recently made by Council and one request for scrutiny from a Portfolio Holder, and to determine these requests in line with the associated constitution procedure rules.

This item was discussed as part of the wider work plan item.

The items considered were as follows from Council:

• Van Life – Community Pact - To this end, the Council resolves to: develop a Community Pact, requesting that the Place and Environment OSC consider the detail, for all vehicle dwellers that will:

(a) Outline a clear plan to establish designated safe parking areas with access to basic amenities for van dwellers that will provide both permanent and temporary sites for vehicle dwellers and ensure that they have secure and legal places to stay.

(b) Meet anticipated future requirements and facilitate access to essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, and education, ensuring that all residents can live safely and healthily.

(c) Set up an ongoing forum for dialogue between local communities and travellers as a safe space in which discussion can take place and issues can be resolved quickly.

(d) Promote anti-discrimination policies that protect these communities from harassment and unfair treatment, whether by private individuals or public authorities, alongside the responsibility of all concerned to abide by existing laws and expectations.

• Climate and Nature - Request that the Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee determines a scrutiny process focused on the relevant key priorities within the Corporate Plan, with an emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable in society from the effects of climate change.’

The Portfolio holder submitted the following request

• Cliff and Coastal Erosion Management - Scrutiny suggestion raised by the Portfolio Holder following cliff slips in the BCP area over the last year, with a view to ensuring that the council is doing everything it can in relation to coastal management and managing the impact on our residents, visitors and the area as a whole.

There was discussion around these items from the Councillors and Portfolio Holders who submitted the request going into more detail around these.

RESOLVED that all items discussed be added to the work plan as above.