Agenda and minutes

There were none on this occasion.

That the minutes of the meetings held on the 21 January and 5 February 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Spencer presented the report on behalf of the Working Group. He outlined that the joint scrutiny working group had been set up following an OFSED review and findings in November 2018 which had required a written statement of action and outlined significant areas of weakness.  It was acknowledged that improvements had been made and that the group had now concluded as a further review was now pending.  He asked the committee for views on further reporting going forward.

RESOLVED : That if the outcomes from further review were positive then the Safeguarding Overview and Scrutiny Committee continue to maintain oversight, however if the review was negative then Corporate Overview and Scrutiny would investigate.

The Scrutiny and Support Manager outlined the detail and purpose of the Work Planning Report as this was the initial meeting of the committee. 

The Leader of the Council outlined his views on the role of overview and scrutiny and the committee, and the change in the title of the committee. He felt that overview would look forward and scrutiny would look at current decisions. He emphasised the importance of the role of overview and scrutiny and impact it can have and his previous experience.  Also, with such a large majority he felt scrutiny was more important in holding the authority to account. The importance of Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee being the lead committee was emphasised and the need for Cabinet Members to be available when required for both committee meetings and triangulation meetings. The key areas he felt should be looked at included scrutiny of the Local Enterprise Partnership, Finance and working with our District/Borough Councils. In response to a question the Leader outlined how he felt overview should operate in particular looking at the ambitions of the authority and what others organisations are doing. The use of the High Street and the financing of health care was also raised as areas that should be investigated.

The Director of Corporate Services outlined his areas of responsibility. He advised the Committee of his key issues/challenges which were:-   

•       Development of new Strategic Plan and MTFS

•       New Council

•       Cyber Security

•       Roll out of Office 365 & Teams

•       Care Director Replacement

•       Entrust – break point approaching

•       Staffordshire Place Brand

•       People Strategy

•       Recruitment

•       Smart Working/Future Office

The County Treasurer introduced himself and his role. He emphasised the importance of the role of the committee inn relation to the budget and the setting of the budget. He highlighted that contained within the report the setting of a good and balanced budget and scrutiny’s role was fundamental and his support for the appointment of the MTFS Working Group.   

RESOLVED: That the reports and views be noted and taken into account when Work Programme Planning.  

The Committee considered their Work Programme for 2021/22.

RESOLVED: That the following items be included for development in the the Work Programme 

·       Performance quarterly reports 

·       SEND Working Group Follow up

·       Scrutiny of the LEP

o   Review and Outcomes

·       Outcomes of Scrutiny 

·       Data Sharing

·       Partnership Working

·       Shared Services

·       Governance and control of Arm’s length companies/partners.  E.g. Nexxus / Entrust / AMEY.

·       Digital Strategy

·       Climate Change

·       Development of new Strategic Plan and MTFS

·       New Council

·       Cyber Security

·       Roll out of Office 365 & Teams

·       Care Director Replacement

·       Entrust – break point approaching

·       Staffordshire Place Brand

·       People Strategy

·       Recruitment

·       Smart Working/Future Office