Council and democracy

The Mayor referred Members to the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2021/22 as published in the agenda.

Councillor Worrall commented as past chair of the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee that a report on damp and mould should have come to the first meeting of this municipal year but had been moved back to November. She asked for this report to be presented at the next meeting. She commented on the good work of the committee scrutinising homelessness, stock survey, garages, housing developments and thanked all members who had sat on that committee. 

Councillor Ralph thanked the past vice chair, Councillor Holloway, of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee for her contributions and thanked all members who had sat on that committee.

Councillor Spillman thanked Councillor Worrall for allowing him to attend past Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committees in his capacity as portfolio holder and for the opportunity to allow him to speak. He agreed overview and scrutiny was the best place for portfolio holder reports to allow more time for questions and discussion.

Councillor Gledhill also welcomed the recommendation that portfolio holders be held to account at overview and scrutiny committees.

Councillor Redsell thanked all members and officers of the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their contributions and hard work. She looked forward to scrutinising more in the coming year but stated overview and scrutiny had to be more active and to bring people to account.

Councillor Polley thanked democratic services for organising the overview and scrutiny training held this week, the trainer had been very engaging, understanding and had allowed time for discussion. It was recognised to be more efficient and effective on overview and scrutiny and possibly encourage more participation from residents to engage with committees and to address those challenges that residents were experiencing. She thanked all officers for the work undertaken in delivering reports to overview and scrutiny committees.

Councillor M Coxshall reiterated the use and helpfulness of overview and scrutiny committee having attended a Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee last year and how directors had commented how useful it was to have a portfolio holder at that meeting.

Councillor Hebb also stated that having attended Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committees had allowed good discussions to take place which had helped with workstreams and creativity of items on the work programme.

Councillor Huelin thanked members and officers of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their passion to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in Thurrock. The subjects discussed were important with the committee being pro-active, reaching out, presenting ideas and asking relevant questions and hoped to see this continue.

Councillor Maney thanked all those that attended the Planning Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committees. Reports presented at these meetings were refreshing and displayed that the process worked and had an active interest in what cabinet and the Council were doing and should remain bold, hold those to account, present ideas and looked forward to this continuing.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2021/22 be noted.