Agenda and minutes

*O&S 88          

In light of the recent changes in the political composition of the Council (Minute CM 95 refers), the Chairman wished to welcome Cllrs Crozier and Hipsey to their first meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee since their respective appointments.  In addition, the Chairman wished to thank Cllrs Ball and Ridgers for their service and contributions to the Committee prior to becoming Members of the Audit Committee

*O&S 89          

Apologies for absence for this meeting were received from Cllr N Heyworth

Committee Meeting held on 25 February 2020

*O&S 90          

The minutes of the Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 February 2020 were confirmed by the Meeting as a true and correct record.

Members are invited to declare any personal or disclosable pecuniary interests, including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting.

If Councillors have any questions relating to predetermination, bias or interests in items on this Agenda, then please contact the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

*O&S 91          

Members and officers were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of this meeting but there were none made.

A period of up to 15 minutes is available to deal with issues raised by the public.   

*O&S 92          

                        The Chairman informed that no formal requests had been received in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

If any Member seeks further clarity, or wishes to raise issues regarding any future Hub Committee agenda item, please contact Member Services before 5.00pm on Thursday 18 June 2020 to ensure that the lead officer(s) are aware of this request in advance of the meeting.

*O&S 93          

It was noted that no prior requests had been received for updates on any future Hub Committee agenda items at this meeting.

*O&S 94          

The Committee considered its draft Annual Work Programme for 2020/21 and, in discussion, reference was made to an additional Committee meeting.  The Chairman advised that, since the next scheduled Committee meeting (to be held on 1 September) would be focusing on the Draft Recovery and Renewal Plan and the Draft Amended Budget 2020/21, she had requested that an additional Committee meeting be scheduled to be held on 4 August 2020.

In terms of agenda items to be considered at the additional meeting, it was agreed that the following should be included:

-     an update on rural broadband provision.  At the request of the Committee, it was agreed that a meeting of the Rural Broadband Working Group would be held in the upcoming weeks, with the outcome of this meeting being reported to the next Committee meeting;

-     an update on the A386 Transport infrastructure provision; and

-     the Committee draft Annual Report for 2019/20.

This document can be made available in large print, Braille, tape format, other languages or alternative format upon request. Please contact the Committee section on 01822 813662 or email darryl.white@swdevon.gov.uk

O&S 95                       

The Committee was presented with a report that summarised the work undertaken by the Council in delivering a highly effective response to the challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic.  In addition, the report also outlined some initial thoughts with regard to the challenges that the Council would face and provide an initial opportunity for Members to input to the way forward.

At this point, the Chairman informed that it was her intention for the meeting to first consider the Response element of the agenda item before then providing some initial thoughts on the draft Renewal and Recovery Plan.

(a)      Response

In the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:

(i)     A number of Members commended the work of the Community Response Team that had been formed in response to the Pandemic.  Members found the initiative to have been very useful and a model that could be adapted in the draft Renewal and Recovery Plan, with town and parish council representatives also becoming involved.

In respect of the relationship between town and parish councils and the Borough Council, it was acknowledged that this had been varied during the Pandemic.  In such instances, it was recognised that local Ward Members had a key role to play in ensuring that all town and parish councils were engaged with the Borough Council;   

(ii)   With regard to the £69,000 that had been secured from Devon County Council (DCC) towards the provision of emergency financial assistance to residents, officers committed to circulating a copy of the DCC Policy that set out the criteria for funding to be allocated;

(iii)  A Member referred back to the earlier request for the Committee to receive an update on Rural Broadband provision (Minute *O&S 94 above refers) and emphasised the importance of good connectivity (e.g. mobile phone signal and Broadband provision) during these difficult times;

(iv)  A number of tributes were paid to the work of the Council and its officers and Members during the Pandemic.  Several examples of officers and Members going the extra mile to maintain service delivery were highlighted to the meeting and particular credit was paid to those officers who had been involved in the payment of Discretionary Grants to local businesses;

(v)   By way of an update, it was noted that an all Member Leisure Briefing was to be held at the Informal Council session to be held on 1 June 2020;

(vi)  The meeting was informed that the Council operated a very flexible way of working and those staff with school aged children could use the flexitime scheme to help manage their caring responsibilities during the school holidays;

(vii) The Section 151 Officer provided an update on the financial position and made specific reference to:

a.     the decision-making cycle for an amended Budget for 2020/21.  Members were informed of the intention for a draft Budget setting Workshop to be held during August, before a draft amended Budget was then considered by:

§  the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting to he held  ...  view the full minutes text for item *O&S 95