Apologies for absence were received from the Chair, Councillor Moring (substitute: Councillor Nelson) and from Councillors Dent (substitute: Councillor Line) and F Evans (substitute: Councillor Cox).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(i) Councillors Gilbert, Mulroney and Woodley (Cabinet Members) – Interest in the called-in items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 4^th October, 2021 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the special meeting held on Tuesday, 12^th October 2021 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Minute 424 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 11 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees

The Committee considered Minute 424 of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 2^nd November 2021, which had been referred direct to all three scrutiny Committees for consideration.  The Committee also had before it the report of the Executive Director (Legal and Democratic Services) providing performance information about comments, complaints and compliments received across the Council for 2020/21.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the Council’s performance in respect of comments, complaints, and compliments and Ombudsman investigations for 2020/21, be noted.

2. That the matter be referred to all three Scrutiny Committees (Sections 4 and 5 of the submitted report referred to the People Scrutiny Committee only).”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Members: Cllr Collins (overarching), Cllr Nevin (Section 4) and Cllr Burton (Section 5).

Minute 429 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 16 – Item No. 2 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 429 of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 2^nd November 2021, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report summarising out the actions that had been taken under Council Procedure Rule 46.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

“That the submitted report be noted”.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: as appropriate to the item

The Committee noted an oral update on the progress that had been made in respect of the joint in-depth Scrutiny study, entitled ‘Enabling Councillors to be Effective’.

During the debate of this item, Councillors expressed concern at the rising levels of Covid, including the increase in the levels of the new Omicron variant, and the potential risks that holding physical meetings brings.  It was therefore suggested a letter be sent to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities urging him to consider the re-instatement of the provisions for remote and/or hybrid meetings. 

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note: This is a Scrutiny function