The Leader presented the report that referred to the progress and decisions required to action improvement activity around the Overview and Scrutiny function. The report asked Members to support the introduction of a new Overview and Scrutiny Committee Structure with a view to further developing culture, skills, work programming and constitutional procedures of the function in future months.

Councillor J Kent stated the Labour would be supporting the recommendations this evening, this had been a lengthy process with lots of debate and opportunities for all members to have their input. Councillor J Kent stated he had seen a lot of scrutiny functions over the years but not seen a scrutiny function that really worked. Consideration had to be given on what support would be provided to scrutiny committees members in regard to types of questions to be asked and for external mentoring and coached to be in place.

Councillor Speight stated he would not be supporting the restructuring of the scrutiny function recommendation but would support as much as he possibly could during the process through the next municipal year.

The Leader summed up by stating it was important there was the full engagement and participation by members and that the right support and training would be provided so that better scrutiny of executive policies and decisions could take place.

The majority of Members voted in favour of the recommendation 1.1 with three members abstaining (Councillors Allan, Byrne and Speight).

Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendations 1.2 and 1.3.

The majority of Members voted in favour of the recommendation 1.4 with one member against (Councillor Speight) and two members abstaining (Councillors Allan and Byrne).

The majority of Members voted in favour of the recommendation 1.5 with one member abstaining (Councillor Byrne).

Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendations 1.6 and 1.7.

RESOLVED

1.    Agreed the restructuring of the Overview and Scrutiny Function to consist of three committees: People, Place and Corporate, as detailed in this report and appendices.  

2.    That the new Overview and Scrutiny committee structure starts for the municipal year 2024/25. 

3.    Subject to the addition of two substitutes per political group to be added to each committee, agree the terms of reference of these committees at appendix 1 and delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to include them in the Constitution.  

4.    Cease the Local Development Plan Task Force and the Hidden and Extreme Harms Prevention Committee from the 2024/25 municipal year in accordance with Centre for Governance and Scrutiny’s (CfGS) findings and recommendations.  

5.    Formally adopt the Overview and Scrutiny Protocol attached at appendix 2 and incorporate it into the constitution as part of the forthcoming revised Overview and Scrutiny Chapter.  

6.    That the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force continues as a body until such time the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee considers creating a Lower Thames Crossing Task and Finish Group. 

7.    That the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee be able to create two task and finish groups in addition to a Lower Thames Crossing Task and Finish Group.  

Councillor Speight raised a Point of Order, Council Procedure Rules, Paragraph 3.4 (f). He wished to make a formal complaint about the Leader's comments during his announcements on the conduct of Councillor Byrne regarding racist comments.