This report provides a summary of the role of scrutiny committee, in accordance with the council’s Constitution and the key strategic objectives for the committee, in accordance with the overall strategic objectives for scrutiny agreed by the Scrutiny Management Board on 16 June 2022.

The Interim Statutory Scrutiny Officer introduced the report on the role and remit of the committee, and on the committee’s objectives for 2022-2023. 

It was noted that the Scrutiny Management Board had considered a ‘Statement of Intent’ at its inaugural meeting on 16 June 2022 [minute 6 of 2022/23 refers] and attention was drawn to the twelve draft objectives for the committee, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

There was a discussion about the objectives and related provisions in the council’s Constitution [Section 4 – Scrutiny Functions refers], the key points included:

i.             The remit of the Scrutiny Management Board in terms of ‘Where a matter falls within the remit of one or more Scrutiny Committees, decide which Committee will consider it and whether a spotlight, task and finish or standing panel review is appropriate’ and the implications for the individual scrutiny committees were discussed.

ii.            The remit of the Scrutiny Management Board in terms of ‘To undertake the scrutiny role in relation to areas which are cross cutting nature eg. Corporate Strategy and Finance (Budget), People and Performance and Corporate Support’ and the need for clarity about how the individual scrutiny committees could contribute towards the scrutiny of the budget.  It was noted that the remit of this committee included ‘Adults and Communities budget and policy framework’ but no other reference to the budget was made in the remits of the other scrutiny committees.

The Interim Statutory Scrutiny Officer advised that the Scrutiny Management Board would consider how the scrutiny of the budget would be conducted at its next meeting.  A number of members commented on the need for the broader involvement of councillors in this scrutiny activity.

iii.          It was noted that the scrutiny committee had the power ‘to review and scrutinise any matter relating to the planning, provision and operation of the health service in its area… In this regard health service includes services designed to secure improvement – (i) in the physical and mental health of the people of England…’ and a committee member commented on the potential need to consider issues for residents along the England – Wales border.  The Interim Statutory Scrutiny Officer clarified that this provision reflected the fact that the legislation in relation to overview and scrutiny was different in England and in Wales.

RESOLVED:

That the general role and remit of the scrutiny committee be noted, and the Health, Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee objectives for 2022-2023 be agreed.