Agenda item

The Chairman and Specialist (Scrutiny & Member Development) suggested reviewing some of the items on the Scrutiny Work Programme, as some items may be less relevant now with the Local Government Reorganisation. During discussion the following was agreed and noted:

·        Local Plan update - members acknowledged the comments of the Director (Place & Recovery) that it was unlikely a full Local Plan review could be delivered by 2023, The item to be deleted from the work programme, but for members to still receive an update when appropriate if evidence gathering.

·        Remote working, meeting technology and IT support (members) - a member liaison group had now been established by the Digital Services team which would look at issues, technology and remote working. The item to be deleted form the work programme. Suggestion though that the member portal is reviewed including statistics regarding use.

·        Somerset Waste Partnership - item to be deleted from the work programme as matters have been raised, explained and improvements are being made.

·        Somerset Rivers Authority - leave on work programme. Request for officers to find out when the statutory report is due regarding the Chard flooding incident.

·        S106 SWAP audit findings - leave on the work programme.

·        CIL update - some questions outstanding from the member workshop held in August. Leave on the work programme with a due date of January. The Director (Place & Recovery) advised that a draft report was available and members requested that the report be considered at the next meeting of Scrutiny Committee.

·        Overview of voluntary sector support and draft commissioning model - the stance of this had changed due to the transition to a unitary authority, and it is unclear if the new authority will honour the commissioning model. Delete from work programme.

·        Resident survey - delete from work programme.

·        Council Tax Support Scheme  Task & Finish - leave on work programme.

·        Productivity analysis Task & Finish - paused. Specialist (Scrutiny & Member Development) to liaise with the Income & Opportunities Manager to discuss status of the review and if continuing.

·        SSDC Environment Strategy Task & Finish - energy contract - delete from work programme as completed.

·        SSDC Environment Strategy refresh Task & Finish- leave on work programme but request for Specialist (Scrutiny & Member Development) to follow up if work still required as there has previously been discussion bout the communications element.

·        Step-back review of Covid-19 response Task and Finish - delete from work programme as much information now included within the recovery strategy.

·        Effect of short-term lettings Task & Finish - delete from work programme as due to timescales feel unable to do with the Local Government Reorganisation. Suggestion that a recommendation put forward that the new unitary authority should consider the issue.

Scrutiny working groups, workshops etc:

·        Somerset Bus Services Improvement Plan - delete from work programme. Members had previously suggested some improved communications about the consultation which had happened.

·        CIL update/S106 - delete from workshop section of the work programme as it's a duplication.

·        Members portal improvement working group - delete from work programme as now incorporated into the member liaison group co-ordinated by the Digital Services team.

·        Role of Scrutiny & Audit - leave on the work programme and to include an update to refer to the Local Government Reorganisation.