Agenda item

The Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Board is asked to consider and identify work priorities for publication in a Forward Plan.

The Board considered 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 Chair invited the Portfolio Holder for Culture to give an update on the Library Strategy, which would now come to the Board in January 2024. The Portfolio Holder explained that this item had been delayed in order to get the consultation right in view of its importance. He would welcome feedback from members on library services. He assured the Board that the strategy was not about making decisions on the future of services, it was about reimagining the role of libraries in a community-based Council within the context of transformation.

Members commented on the services provided by their own local libraries and their value in the community. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the strategy would address issues such as staff being on site to assist people in accessing services. There was a broader discussion to be had on the role of libraries in the community. Members were encouraged by the use of a needs-based assessment. Members also talked about the success of the library hub model. A member emphasised the need for harmonisation and it was confirmed that Bournemouth libraries would be migrating onto the Poole/Christchurch system. It was noted that there were less than ten years remaining on the PFI agreement for Bournemouth Central Library. It was also confirmed that revenue generation would be looked at, e.g. hiring out of rooms.

The Chair thanked the Portfolio Holder and the Director of Customer and Business Delivery for their attendance.

Board members discussed the timetabling of items on the Forward Plan and other suggested items and agreed the following:

·       December meeting – Items as listed, with the meeting starting at 5.00pm. Members were advised to consider outside of this meeting how they wished to receive the Corporate Plan.

·       January meeting – Cabinet reports on the Library Strategy and the Options Appraisal to Review Options Around 20mph schemes and agree the Council's position, plus Update on O&S Action Plan.

·       No longer required – it was noted that items on Complaints and Company Reviews were both now being addressed elsewhere.

·       Two Scrutiny Review Requests on the Cost of Bus Passes and Road Danger for Children to be formally considered at the forthcoming O&S Work Programming Workshops, along with other suggestions for the Forward Plan.

·       Other items to add to the Forward Plan and discuss further at the workshops included an Update on Wessex Fields and other regeneration projects and an Assurance Review Update due in April 2024 alongside the Corporate Performance report.

The Overview and Scrutiny Specialist gave an update on the workshops taking place at 6.00pm – 8.00pm on 12 December, 18 January and 12 February, and explained that these would also provide a development opportunity for members in work programming skills.

A Board member asked if an item to look at how the Council engages with residents in comparison to other local authorities could be considered and was advised to complete a scrutiny request form. Members noted that this formed part of the governance review and that the Engagement Strategy was due to be reviewed next year.