Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – There were no Declarations of Interest made.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2021 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Joint presentation by the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Families and Communities and Director for Economy Infrastructure and Skills  

The Committee received a joint presentation (PowerPoint slides attached Appendix 1 to the signed minutes) from the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills and the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Families and Communities on their respective service areas (including budgets, visions and key priorities for the ensuing year) and suggested topics for scrutiny where  Members’ attention could add most value, as follows:-

a) Economy, Infrastructure and Skills (Table 1)

b) Families and Communities (Table 2)

In the discussion which ensued Members noted the wide-ranging scope of services within their remit. They sought clarification on various strategic management and operational issues highlighted in the presentation and identified areas of particular interest to them, as follows:-

Areas of Interest (Table 3)

In response to requests from Members, the Scrutiny  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Report of Scrutiny and Support Manager

The Committee considered a report by the Scrutiny and Support Officer (Schedule A to the signed minutes) outlining:- (i) the new Overview and Scrutiny Committee Structure in Staffordshire; (ii) their remit; (iii) key considerations for them in the development of their Work Programme for 2021/22 Municipal Year; (iv) the various matters to be carried forward from their previous years’ Work Programme; (v) potential items for scrutiny included in the County Council’s rolling Forward Plan of Key Decisions; (vi) recurring Work Programme Items previously agreed; (vii) training and development considerations; (viii) the various methods of scrutiny available to them in implementing their Work Programme and; (ix) the need for the Work Programme to be kept under regular review having regard to any new issues which might arise requiring priority consideration.

During the discussion which ensued Members noted the draft Work Programme attached at Appendix 1 to the report which already provisionally included two Standing Items (ie quarterly updates on:- (i) HS2 and the Impact on Prosperity in Staffordshire and; (ii) Economic Recovery, Renewal & Transformation). They also noted three Additional Items for Discussion/Programme ie:- (i) Local Industrial Strategy/Strategic Infrastructure Plan; (ii) Delivering Housing in Staffordshire and; (iii) Live Labs) and a Working Group (Community Transport and the Supported Bus Network) which had been provisionally included. Owing to the wide-ranging scope of the Committee’s remit and the various dates which had been included in the County Council’s Calendar of Meetings for Prosperous Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings, the Chairman sought authority to schedule-in items, in consultation with the Vice-Chairmen and report back to their next meeting, as necessary.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be received and noted.

(b) That the Chairman, in consultation with the Vice-Chairmen, schedule-in items for scrutiny into their Work Programme against the various dates available, as appropriate and report back to their next meeting, with a view to seeking formal approval, as necessary.

Copy letter from Flood Action Group Eccleshall dated 18 May 2021 attached

The Chairman reported receipt of a letter received from Eccleshall Flood Action Group dated 18 May 2021 (attached at Appendix 2 to the signed minutes) regarding the scrutiny of Highways Infrastructure and connectivity and flood and water management.

RESOLVED – (a) That the oral report be received and noted.

(b) That consideration of the inclusion of an item relating to flood risk management in Staffordshire into their Work Programme for 2021/22 Municipal Year, be given by the Chairman, in consultation with the Vice-Chairmen, before their next meeting.

(c)  That the outcome of the discussions referred to in (b) above be reported back to their next meeting, as appropriate.      

Request by Mr. M. Barr (copy form attached)

The Chairman reported receipt of a Proposal for Scrutiny Review Form submitted by Mr. Mike Barr dated 16 March 2021 (attached at Appendix 3 to the signed minutes) on behalf of 20's Plenty for Staffordshire campaign regarding the adoption of 20 mph speed limits in the County.

RESOLVED – (a) That the oral report be received and noted.

(b) That the Chairman thank Mr. Barr, on behalf of the Committee, for his submission.

(c)  That consideration of the inclusion of an item on the proposed adoption of 20 mph speed limits in Staffordshire, into their Work Programme for 2021/22 Municipal Year, be given by the Chairman, in consultation with the Vice-Chairmen, before their next meeting.

(d) That the outcome of the discussions referred to in (c) above be reported back to their next meeting, as appropriate.       

RESOLVED – That the date, time and venue of the next meeting be noted.