(a)        Chair’s Introduction

Prior to the consideration of the matters set out in the agenda, the Chair outlined their expectations of the standard of conduct and behaviour to be shown at the meeting.

(b)        Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Harland (Substitute: Councillor Fay Evans), Councillor K Murphy and Councillor N Ward.

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a)        Tim Watts (Co-opted Member) – Minute 14 (Outside Bodies Task and Finish Group) – Is a Chair of an Outside Body, Southend Pier Museum Trust, which has a Council appointed Director.

(b)        Councillors D Richardson – Minute 12 (Public Annual Health Report) – is a therapist.

(c)        Owen Richards - Minute 12 (Public Annual Health Report) – is a delivery partner for one of the schemes that the is mentioned in the report and also has a non-financial interest in the Royal College of General Practitioners.

(d)        Councillor N Folkard – Minute 12 (Public Annual Health Report) – relative works for Broomfield Hospital and part of the fundraising team for Southend Hospital.

(e)        Councillor T Cowdrey – Minute 12 (Public Annual Health Report) – sensitive non-pecuniary interest.

(f)         Councillor C Nevin – Minute 12 (Public Annual Health Report) – NHS employee and children work at Broomfield and Southend Hospitals.

(g)        Councillor A Line – Minute 12 (Public Annual Health Report) –SUFC Community and Educational Trust, supporting foodbanks.

The Chair advised all those present that there would be a tour of Southend Hospital on Friday 21^st July at 9am, and anyone wishing to attend should contact the Principal Democratic Services Officer so arrangements could be made.

There were no questions from members of the public relating to the responsibilities of the Committee.

The following amendments to the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 June 2023 were agreed:

·       To include the Chair’s expectations of the standard of conduct and behaviour to be shown at the meeting.

·       That the apologies of Rev Cannon L Williams be recorded.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 June 2023 be confirmed as a correct record, subject to the amendments as outlined above, and signed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Public Health, which reviewed the work for 2022-23 and identified priorities for 2023-24, with a focus on prevention. 

In response to concerns raised by the Committee with regard to vaping and the impact on young people, the Director of Public Health reported that they would continue to lobby government to call for more stringent measures to be introduced to reduce young people’s access to vaping.

Resolved:

1.     That the content of the 2022-2023 Annual Public Health Report be noted.

Note: This is an Executive function

Cabinet Member: Councillor J Moyies

Report of Executive Director (Finance and Resources) attached.

The Committee received the report and recommendations arising from the in-depth scrutiny project for 2022/23 on the theme of ‘Providing First-Class Services for Families of Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.’

On behalf of the Project Team that led the in-depth scrutiny project, the Chair of the Committee expressed thanks to all councillors, officers and parents that contributed to the project. Particular thanks were paid to S Tautz who led on the project and was now retired from the local authority.

Resolved:

That the report and recommendations be noted.

Note: This is a Scrutiny function

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources), proposing a review of the membership and representation on Outside Bodies as a potential topic as a joint Scrutiny project for 2023/24 and which proposed the establishment of a Task and Finish Group to undertake the review.

The Chair reported that, at the Scrutiny Chairs Forum held on 27 June 2023, all the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs present felt that resources should be directed to shorter Task and Finish reviews to drive specific areas of concern forward.

Subject to the agreement of the proposed approach, it was recommended that no additional topic(s) be selected by the Committee for in-depth scrutiny activity during the year 2023/24.

Members were keen to identify whether there were any other Outside Bodies that would be appropriate to have member representation but was not currently included on the list.

Resolved:

1.     That an Outside Bodies Task and Finish Group be established:

·       in the proportion 4 Conservative, 3 Labour, 1 liberal Democrat, 1 Independent and 1 Residents First with appointments being made to ensure some representation from each of the scrutiny committees.  

·       It is suggested that the Group Leaders submit their nomination(s) to the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) in line with the proportionality allocations.

2.     That the Terms of Reference (attached at Appendix 1) to the submitted report be approved.

3.     Each of the three Scrutiny Committees receive an update on the progress accordingly, before a final report is approved

Note: This is a scrutiny function.

To discuss items for the Scrutiny Work Programme 2023/24.

The Committee received a draft Scrutiny work programme template, which set out the process for identifying suitable issues for scrutiny.

It was suggested that a procedural note be produced, clearly setting out the process how Councillors could suggest and influence items on the scrutiny work programme and the correct procedure for doing so.

Resolved:-

That the Scrutiny work programme be noted.

Note: This is a scrutiny function.