Recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committees
To consider recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny committees on items not otherwise included on the Cabinet Agenda.
Decision:
Cabinet was advised that two recommendations had been received from the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on items not otherwise indicated on the Cabinet agenda, and that one recommendation had been received from the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The Chair of the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Chris Rigby presented the recommendations from the Committee as set out below, copies of which had been circulated to Members of the Cabinet and published on the Councils website prior to the meeting.
Recommendation from the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting held on 2 April 2025
Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Agenda Item 8 – Recommendations from the Safer Accommodation Strategy Working Group.
The Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed the following recommendation to Cabinet on this item:
RESOLVED that the Environment and Place O&S Committee recommend to Cabinet
1. That as part of the Safe Accommodation Strategy development, officers consider an awareness campaign and/or guidance materials on the different types of financial support that are available to support those fleeing domestic abuse, in particular in relation to different types of housing tenure (e.g. shared tenancies, joint mortgages), in order to break down a potentially significant barrier to survivors accessing support to end their abuse.
2. That the engagement plan for the Safe Accommodation Strategy should ensure that the voices of those with lived experience are heard and reflected within the Strategy.
3. That an all councillor briefing session be added to the Safe Accommodation Strategy engagement plan, to ensure members are adequately informed about the strategy and able to contribute views, and to enable them to fulfil their role within the community by communicating the benefits of the Safe Accommodation Strategy to residents.
4. a) that the provision of safe accommodation and associated commissioning process be reviewed,
b) that scrutiny members be invited to review and input into this review, prior to the commencement of commissioning, through an additional meeting of this working group.
c) That the use of temporary accommodation be continuously reviewed and specific KPIs be established for monitoring the success of the new safe accommodation model, including occupancy rates, length of stay, outcomes for survivors (e.g., successful move-on to permanent housing), and survivor satisfaction. These KPIs should be reviewed regularly by the relevant scrutiny committee to ensure accountability and transparency.
d) That Cabinet, with the support of the council’s Corporate Management Board, be requested to take a view on forthcoming decisions that may be of significant or contentious public impact, regardless of decision-making thresholds, and an all councillor briefing be held before any such decisions are made, to enable all councillors, and particularly ward councillors, to be properly informed.
(Unanimous Decision)
Recommendation from the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting held on 8 October 2025
Environment and Place Agenda Item 6 – Plant-based and reduced meat and dairy diets: draft position statement and action plan
The Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny ... view the full decision text for item 78
Minutes:
Cabinet was advised that two recommendations had been received from the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on items not otherwise indicated on the Cabinet agenda, and that one recommendation had been received from the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The Chair of the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Chris Rigby presented the recommendations from the Committee as set out below, copies of which had been circulated to Members of the Cabinet and published on the Councils website prior to the meeting.
Recommendation from the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting held on 2 April 2025
Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Agenda Item 8 – Recommendations from the Safer Accommodation Strategy Working Group.
The Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed the following recommendation to Cabinet on this item:
RESOLVED that the Environment and Place O&S Committee recommend to Cabinet
1. That as part of the Safe Accommodation Strategy development, officers consider an awareness campaign and/or guidance materials on the different types of financial support that are available to support those fleeing domestic abuse, in particular in relation to different types of housing tenure (e.g. shared tenancies, joint mortgages), in order to break down a potentially significant barrier to survivors accessing support to end their abuse.
2. That the engagement plan for the Safe Accommodation Strategy should ensure that the voices of those with lived experience are heard and reflected within the Strategy.
3. That an all councillor briefing session be added to the Safe Accommodation Strategy engagement plan, to ensure members are adequately informed about the strategy and able to contribute views, and to enable them to fulfil their role within the community by communicating the benefits of the Safe Accommodation Strategy to residents.
4. a) that the provision of safe accommodation and associated commissioning process be reviewed,
b) that scrutiny members be invited to review and input into this review, prior to the commencement of commissioning, through an additional meeting of this working group.
c) That the use of temporary accommodation be continuously reviewed and specific KPIs be established for monitoring the success of the new safe accommodation model, including occupancy rates, length of stay, outcomes for survivors (e.g., successful move-on to permanent housing), and survivor satisfaction. These KPIs should be reviewed regularly by the relevant scrutiny committee to ensure accountability and transparency.
d) That Cabinet, with the support of the council’s Corporate Management Board, be requested to take a view on forthcoming decisions that may be of significant or contentious public impact, regardless of decision-making thresholds, and an all councillor briefing be held before any such decisions are made, to enable all councillors, and particularly ward councillors, to be properly informed.
(Unanimous Decision)
Recommendation from the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting held on 8 October 2025
Environment and Place Agenda Item 6 – Plant-based and reduced meat and dairy diets: draft position statement and action plan
The Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny ... view the full minutes text for item 78