Issue - meetings

Democratic and Elections Officers will go through the list of subjects raised at previous Committee meetings and at the informal session held on 30 June 2021 (appendix 1), and provide updates.

To receive an update on items previously considered by the Committee (appendix 2).

The Committee to consider the indicative work programme for 2021-2022 (appendix 3).

Resolved

(1)       That the verbal updates regarding suggested topics for scrutiny be noted.

(2)       That the Management Companies subject be removed from the topic sheet.

(3)       That the update on items previously submitted to Overview and Scrutiny be noted.

(4)       That the indicative work programme for 2021-2022 be noted.

The Committee considered the indicative work programme for 2021-22, and received an update from officers on potential topics for review that had been raised at the informal work programme planning session held on 30 June.

With regard to the subject of teenage mental health raised by Councillor Perran Moon, the Democratic and Elections officer advised the Committee that information had been requested from the Wellbeing team, but not received yet. A further update would be given at the next meeting.

In response to the subject of homelessness within the LGBT community raised by Councillor Sandy Dallimore, the Housing Options and Allocations Manager had advised that one of the questions asked in a homeless case was regarding sexual orientation, and customers can choose their response.

There was no specific data collected on anyone who may be made homeless due to their sexual orientation. This would be picked up as part of casework, but there was no specific question asked for officers to draw down a report.

With regard to possible next steps for the subject, Councillor Dallimore requested that the Housing Options and Allocations Manager be asked why the information was not specifically requested, and if it could be in future.

Councillor Sandy Dallimore had raised the subject of the relationship between the District Council and parishes. The Healthy Communities Manager had provided Councillor Dallimore with a brief overview of the work of the team. Twice a year the council hosted a conference style parish liaison meeting to consult, inform and inspire parishes, and give them the opportunity to network with each other and senior council members and officers. Since July 2020 the meeting had been virtual, due to coronavirus restrictions.

The Healthy Communities Manager had also advised that as a result of the first coronavirus lockdown, a fortnightly parish bulletin had been started, which included items such as grant opportunities, consultations and changes to government guidance that would be useful for parishes.

Councillor Dallimore was due to meet the Healthy Communities Manager to discuss the issue further, and would feedback to the next meeting of the Committee.

With regard to the Management Companies subject that had been on the topic list since May 2019, the Committee agreed to remove it from the list as a possible subject for scrutiny.

The Governance and Elections Manager explained that a new appendix had been added to the work programme, which provided an update on items previously considered by the Committee. The new appendix would be updated and submitted to each meeting.

Resolved

(1)       That the verbal updates regarding suggested topics for scrutiny be noted.

(2)       That the Management Companies subject be removed from the topic sheet.

(3)       That the update on items previously submitted to Overview and Scrutiny be noted.

(4)       That the indicative work programme for 2021-2022 be noted.