Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships – Overview and Scrutiny Officer – Transformation and Partnerships.

The Chairman asked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer to speak to Members in relation to the Council Plan 2016-2019 – Refresh of the Work Programme (for copy see file of minutes).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained that the report highlighted work that had been undertaken by the Committee within the past year and also looked forward to seek suggestions from Members to be included within the Committee’s work programme for the forthcoming year.   Members were reminded that the aims and objectives were aligned to those of the Council Plan and associated plans, as well as the Altogether Wealthier priority theme.  It was explained that the work programme for 2018/19 would need to include further updates on a number of items considered in 2017/18, systematic reviews of recommendations in previous scrutiny review reports, focused scrutiny meetings, including two further workshops in relation to the County Durham Plan (CDP) and additional areas of overview activity.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer reminded members that a further report would come back to Committee in June for Members’ consideration.

The Chairman thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer and asked Members for their comments and questions.

Councillor P Jopling noted a big push economically on Durham City and that successes here may scale down to the smaller towns. 

She asked if there was connection in terms of the large insurance companies that owned a lot of the vacant units, looking to try and have those vacant units occupied by niche retailers.  Councillor P Jopling noted it may be necessary to sub-divide units, however, she noted it was important that the Council make contact and work with owners to try and look for solutions.

Councillor J Clare noted the report showed the immense volume of work undertaken by the Committee and asked if reviews could drop off the reports after 6 months.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained that there are 3 progress updates on previous review recommendations then the review does not feature in future work programmes. 

Mr T Batson noted Councillor P Jopling’s point, however, he added that the public sector had mandatory obligations and the private sector had more scope for negotiation.

Councillor L Maddison noted the format in terms of 3 updates on review reports, however, asked what would happen in the case where there were outstanding issues.  The Chairman noted that if there was a specific issue then that it could be raised with Officers, or an individual Councillor could pursue accordingly.  Councillor L Maddison noted she felt that if there was an outstanding issue it should be Overview and Scrutiny to pursue, not individual Councillors.  The Chairman noted in some cases issues that had been identified could be beyond the control or influence of the Local Authority and often outstanding issues would come back to Committee linked to other matters.

Resolved:

(i)            That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the information contained in Appendix 2.

(ii)          That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee refresh the Work Programme for 2018-2019 by discussing and considering those actions identified, under “Altogether Wealthier” priority theme of the Council Plan 2016 -2019, Appendix 2 and reflected in paragraphs 9, 10 and 11 of the report.

(iii)         That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 26 June 2019, receive a further report detailing the Committee’s Work Programme for 2018-2019.