Issue - meetings

The enclosed report highlights the work of each of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees over the last year.

Resolved:

That Council notes the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2019/2020.

Councillor Yousef Dahmash (Chair of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee) moved the recommendation and was seconded by Councillor Wallace Redford (Chair of the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee) who reserved his right to speak.

Councillor Dahmash thanked members and officers for their contribution to the work of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC). In addition, he thanked the Portfolio Holders for their contributions at meetings. It was noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted on the operation of his committee, but the re-establishment of meetings was welcomed. Prior to lockdown the opportunity had been taken by the committee to hear from frontline officers and service users to gauge their views. This had been welcomed by those who had been invited to the meetings and been very successful. In addition, pre-meeting briefings had been held for members. Again, the opportunity had been taken to meet front line staff. Overall, the committee had displayed very good cross-party working.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers echoed the previous remarks concerning the efficacy of hearing from service providers and users but did suggest that more should be done to develop focused recommendations stemming from those discussions.

Councillor Alan Cockburn (Outgoing Chair of the Communities OSC) noted the extent of public interest in scrutiny and commended the use of single item meetings for thoroughly exploring topics.

Councillor Adrian Warwick (Chair of the Resources and Fire & Rescue OSC) thanked officers and members for their support of the scrutiny process and commended all staff for their ongoing commitment and hard work during the current pandemic.

Councillor Keith Kondakor stated that scrutiny is effective at the County Council. In particular, he welcomed that members who are not on a particular committee are permitted to speak if they wish to share their knowledge or opinions. He also noted that single issue meetings are a good means of thoroughly exploring a topic.

Councillor Wallace Redford supported all that had been said previously. He noted that the agenda for the Adult Social Care and Health OSC will need to adapt to reflect the impact of Covid-19. The joint OSC with Coventry had worked well as had the pre-meeting briefings often provided by the Department of Public Health.

A vote was held and the recommendation agreed unanimously.

Resolved:

That Council notes the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2019/2020.