Issue - meetings

The Chair, Assistant Director – Law and Governance/Monitoring Officer and the Principal Officer – Scrutiny and Democratic Lead will facilitate a discussion on work programme planning for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

The indicative work programme for 2026-27 is included at Appendix 1. This gives details of regular items and subjects proposed during the previous Municipal Year, with suggested dates for consideration.

Committee members will also have the opportunity to propose additional subjects for consideration, and should bear in mind the five roles of scrutiny:

·       Performance Monitoring

·       Policy Development

·       Policy Review

·       Holding the Executive to Account – the latest version of the Executive Forward Plan can be viewed via the Cherwell District Council website

·       External Scrutiny

Resolved

(1)        That subject to the addition of items relating to progress of the Climate Action update, and a follow-up to the flytipping item, the indicative work programme for 2026/27 be noted.  

The Committee considered the indicative work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year.

The Principal Officer – Scrutiny & Democratic Lead explained that the work programme would be reviewed at each Committee, but Members could suggest items for inclusion at any time.

The Chair encouraged the Committee to read the scrutiny guide appended to the agenda pack, as it gave useful information regarding the different ways of working available to the Committee.

In response to comments from the Committee regarding an item incorporating the various planning elements from the indicative work programme, and points raised during the previous agenda item in relation to the designation status of the planning service, the Monitoring Officer confirmed he would liaise with relevant officers and the Chair, and report back to the next meeting.

The Committee also requested additional items on progress of the climate action plan, and a follow-up to the fly tipping presentation and discussion at the November 2025 meeting.

Resolved

(1)        That subject to the addition of items relating to progress of the Climate Action update, and a follow-up to the flytipping item, the indicative work programme for 2026/27 be noted.