Agenda item

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

The Chair asked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer to speak to Members in relation to the Review of the Committee’s Work Programme (for copy see file of minutes).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained that the report followed on from the report presented at the March meeting of the Committee and set out the 2019/20 Work Programme.  She highlighted the work that had been undertaken by the Committee within the past year and noted the draft work programme was set out at Appendix Two to the report including issues such as: DurhamWorks; Digital Durham; Private Rented Sector; Business Durham, Masterplans; Transport Activity; the Housing and Homelessness Strategy; Local Industrial Strategy; and Selective Licensing.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted potential visits for the Committee to Integra 61 and Horden Rail Station and Special meetings that would look at issues such as: an update on the recommendations from the Retail Support review and the Town and Village Centres Report; Selective Licensing; Employment Statistics; and Housing.

The Chair thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer and asked Members if they agreed the proposed work programme for the Committee as set out at Appendix Two of the report.  He noted that of course the Committee would be flexible, in order to be able to look and any issues that may arise, noting the issues associated with Brexit.

Mrs R Morris noted she had no issues with the work programme as set out, however, she highlighted that an important issue would be to look to the types of jobs we wanted and needed for our County, to futureproof our young people.  She added that she felt it was important to look at what skills we need, as seen from the business perspective, and to look at what barriers may be in place.  The Chair noted this fitted with the meeting scheduled for February, looking at the Local Industrial Strategy.

Councillor P Howell noted he felt looking at budget reports in a timely manner was important, for example looking at Quarter One in June rather than September.

Councillor E Adam noted business failures within their first three years and asked was this something the CDEP or Business Durham were looking at.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted it was an issue being looked at.

Resolved:

That the Work Programme for the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2019/20 be agreed.