Issue - meetings

An update on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Food Insecurity and Climate Action Scrutiny Working Groups since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15 October 2024. 

Recommendation   

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee resolves: 

1.1       To note the Scrutiny Working Groups update.

1.2       To agree the terms of reference for the Climate Action Scrutiny Working Group, as set out in Appendix 1 of the briefing note.

Resolved 

(1) That the Scrutiny Working Groups update be noted.

(2) That the terms of reference for the Climate Action Scrutiny Working Group be agreed.

(3)  That the terms of reference for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Scrutiny Working Group be agreed.

(4)  That a Scrutiny Working Group be established to consider Planning Application Appeals, and the terms of reference be agreed, as follows: -

i).    To consider a report from the Assistant Director Planning and Development on planning application appeals performance monitoring.

ii).   To consider the main planning policy issues in relation to planning application refusals and planning decisions overturned at appeal.

iii).  To consider the main reasons for planning application refusals for planning decisions overturned at appeal.

iv).To consider the cost implications to the Council.

v).  To consider any lessons learned from planning applications that might inform planning policy and practise.

(5)  That a Scrutiny Working Group be established to consider Resettlement and Migration, and the terms of reference be agreed, as follows: -

i).    To consider a report of the Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing on resettlement and migration.

ii).   To consider the Council's resettlement activities throughout the year to identify successes and challenges in the council's policy and approach.

The chair provided an update on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Food Insecurity and Climate Action Scrutiny Working Groups since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15 October 2024. 

The Interim Principal Scrutiny Officer, gave a brief update on the first meeting of the Climate action and EDI working groups, advising the appointment of Councillor Grace Conway-Murray as Chair and Councillor John Broad as Vice-chair of the Climate Action Working Group, and advising the appointment of Councillor Rebecca Biegel as the Chair and Councillor Gemma Coton as Vice-Chair of the EDI working Group. An update was then provided on the focus and scope of the Working Groups for 2024 – 2025, which was set out in the respective terms of reference submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for agreement. 

Members then agreed to a request by officers to alleviate the density of the remaining work programme items that dedicated sub-working groups be appointed to meet and provide updates to the committee on the following subjects –

• Planning Application Appeals
• Resettlement and Migration Annual Report

Resolved 

(1)       That the Scrutiny Working Groups update be noted.

(2)       That the terms of reference for the Climate Action Scrutiny Working Group be agreed.

(3)       That the terms of reference for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Scrutiny Working Group be agreed.

(4)       That a Scrutiny Working Group be established to consider Planning Application Appeals, and the terms of reference be agreed. as follows:-

i).    To consider a report from the Assistant Director Planning and Development and on planning application appeals performance monitoring.

ii).   To consider the main planning policy issues in relation to planning application refusals and planning decisions overturned at appeal.

iii).  To consider the main reasons for planning application refusals for planning decisions overturned at appeal.

iv).To consider the cost implications to the Council.

v).  To consider any lessons learned from planning applications that might inform planning policy and practise.

(5)       That a Scrutiny Working Group be established to consider Resettlement and Migration, and the terms of reference be agreed. , as follows:-

i).    To consider a report of the Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing on resettlement and migration.

ii).   To consider the Council's resettlement activities throughout the year to identify successes and challenges in the council's policy and approach.