Agenda item

To receive an update on future work within Overview and Scrutiny including proposals for operations for the remainder of 2020.

The Committee received the Forward Work Plan for Overview and Scrutiny, which was unchanged since its last meeting.

It then discussed as also resolved at that meeting to review the arrangements for Select Committees and Task Groups from September 2020 onwards.

It was noted that the regular schedule of meetings had been suspended at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Committee had adopted alternative arrangements including through the Wiltshire Council Covid-19 Response Task Group, which had representatives from each Select Committee and open for members of the Financial Plan Task Group.

The Committee was updated by Terence Herbert, Chief Executive, on the council’s recovery from Covid-19, staffing implications and the ongoing need for senior officers to be able to focus upon the continuing recovery.

The Committee then discussed at length options for the continuation of Overview and Scrutiny activity to ensure robust and appropriate scrutiny without diverting key officers and members from necessary work relating to the Covid-19 recovery.

Some members were very concerned that there should not be an open-ended suspension of the regular arrangements, but that any temporary suspension or deferral be for a fixed period or regularly reviewed. It was suggested that given the constitutional requirement and importance of the Select Committees, any ongoing streamlined Overview and Scrutiny process should require approval from Full Council.

The great work being undertaken by officers in difficult circumstances was acknowledged, however it was also stated by some members that careful prioritisation of scrutiny work without overburdening officers was itself a key consideration.

There was discussion of preparatory work that could be undertaken informally by Select Committees if they remained deferred for public consideration, and the level of officer support and engagement which could reasonably be expected in those circumstances. There was also discussion of the need to avoid duplication of work, and the frequency and content of any Wiltshire Council Covid-19 Response Task Group meetings.

It was agreed by all present that it was not a question of any solution seeking to avoid Scrutiny, but for there to be a clear plan for manageable Overview and Scrutiny operation which had the support of members and was deliverable by officers.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was,

Resolved:

1)     The meetings of Children’s, Environment and Health Select Committee scheduled for September to be deferred, with the position to be reviewed by OS Management Committee at its next meeting, taking into account the Covid-19 situation.

2)     Full Council approval for the continuance of the streamlined OS arrangements in place to be sought in October 2020.

3)     Additional public meetings of OS Management Committee to be scheduled if appropriate to ensure ongoing public scrutiny.

4)     Wiltshire Covid-19 Response Task Group to continue to meet, but more frequently and receiving additional information beyond the regular Recovery reports to Cabinet on request.

5)     Members of the Financial Planning Task Group to continue to be invited to attend meetings of the Wiltshire Covid-19 Response Task Group to support ongoing financial scrutiny.

6.     The select committees to continue to be supported to meet informally with their members invited to raise any issues via their committee chairman for raising subsequently at the Wiltshire Covid-19 Response Task Group. Officers and executive members may attend if appropriate. The chairs/vice-chairs to discuss the most appropriate support for their committee with the Chief Executive and CLT