Issue - meetings

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertook work programme planning at its 18 July 2024 meeting and requested the Chair and Vice-Chair to meet with officers to discuss suggested scrutiny topics. The work programme has been updated accordingly and a verbal update will be provided at the meeting.

For information, the Executive Forward Plan is available on the Cherwell District Council website (please ensure you choose the most recently published version).

At the 18 July 2024 meeting, the Committee agreed that three working groups should continue in the 2024/2025 municipal year: Climate Action; Food Insecurity; and, Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (joint with Personnel Committee). Nominations for working group member have been sought and the Chair and Democratic and Elections Team will update the Committee at the meeting.

Recommendations

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee resolves

1.1           To consider and endorse the 2024/2025 work programme.

1.2           To consider the update on the scrutiny working groups.

Resolved

(1)      That having given due consideration, that the indicative Work Programme 2024 – 2025 be noted and endorsed.

(2)     That the update on the scrutiny working groups (Climate Action; Food Insecurity; and Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion) be noted.

The Chair provided an update on Committee’s Work Programme 2024-25 advising that anticipated meeting dates for the majority of the suggested topics had been agreed and were as set out in the agenda. Planning Application Appeals and Infrastructure Funding and Delivery and S106 Contributions had subsequently been scheduled for the January meeting.

With regards the Local Plan, the Chair advised following discussion with officers, that due to the importance and complexity of the Local Plan, an extraordinary Overview and Scrutiny Committee be held to focus on the Local Plan. The extraordinary Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting would take place on Tuesday 12 November ahead of Executive consideration of the Local Plan on 2 December. Given the importance of this item, all Members would be invited to attend and a briefing ahead of the meeting would be scheduled.

The Chair advised that the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley will join our March meeting to give their annual updates. As usual, all Members will be invited to attend this meeting. The Chair agreed to liaise with officers regarding a Committee suggestion that the Chair of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB), Integrated Care System (BOBICB) also be invited to attend the March meeting as the Committee could get value in a feedback loop.

The Governance and Elections Manager provided an update on the nominations received for the Food Insecurity, Climate Action and EDI working groups and encouraged members to come forward should they wish to participate. The first working group meetings would be scheduled in due course. It was also advised that the Personnel Committee will be asked to agree the continuation of the EDI working group at its next meeting and to nominate members. Arrangements would then be made for the first EDI working group meeting.

Resolved

(1)            That having given due consideration, that the indicative Work Programme 2024 – 2025 be noted and endorsed.

(2)            That the update on the scrutiny working groups (Climate Action; Food Insecurity; and Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion) be noted.