Agenda item

The Council noted the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 (for copy see file of Minutes).

Councillor R Crute, Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board presented the annual report set out some of the work undertaken in the past year.

Councillor Crute said that as Chair and alongside the Vice-Chair, Cllr Chris Lines they continued to implement the scrutiny process in accordance with the four principles of effective scrutiny:

•         To provide a constructive critical friend challenge

•         To amplify the voices and concerns of the public

•         To be led by independent minded people who take responsibility for their role

•         To drive improvement in public services

The annual report reflected these four principles which underpinned all the work we did. Councillor Crute gave some examples of the work covered.

The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board scrutinised the Cabinet’s MTFP proposals and the Board’s comments were included in the final budget report to Council. This was a significant role and responsibility for the Board.

Adults, Wellbeing and Health OSC, chaired by Councillor V Andrews, had engaged with NHS Colleagues in monitoring improvement actions as part of the CQC’s Inspection process and had been involved in the preparation and oversight of the Council’s Adult Social Care Assurance assessment framework by the CQC.

Children and Young People OSC, chaired by Councillor A Reed, had examined the demands placed upon Children’s Social Care and the increased demand for mental health and wellbeing support for Children and Young People which had been evident since the COVID 19 Pandemic.

Economy and Enterprise OSC, chaired by Councillor B Moist had continued its oversight of the Inclusive Economic Strategy Delivery plan and demonstrated its policy formulation role in contributing to both the County Durham Housing Strategy and Homeless and Rough Sleeping Strategy.

Environment and Sustainable Communities OSC, chaired by Councillor B Coult had continued to examine the Council’s performance in delivery key actions to address the Ecological Emergency declaration and the Climate Emergency Response Plan, the latest update of which was presented to Cabinet in September.

Safer and Stronger Communities OSC, chaired by Councillor P Heaviside had provided comment on the Safe Durham Partnership Plan Priorities refresh and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Risk Management Plan. 

Councillor Crute went on to highlight the increasing work undertaken by the Council’s Scrutiny representatives at a regional level in respect of Health services and also Combined Authority scrutiny. Members would be aware that in May 2024 a new regional Mayor Kim McGuiness was elected and a North East Combined Authority Cabinet and OSC appointed. Councillor Crute was keen to ensure that the Council had oversight of the role and functions of the NECA as a high priority moving forward.

Councillor Crute gave his thanks to the members of the overview and scrutiny committees, the chairs and vice-chairs, co-optees, and Council officers and partners for their continued hard work and support throughout the year and asked members to accept the report.

Councillor C Lines, Vice Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board echoed Councillor Crute’s comments and praised the complex and varied work programmes.  He thanked the scrutiny officers, other officers and external organisations for their support and commended the members and co-opted members for the standards of discussion during the meetings, and commented that chairs and vice-chairs had worked well together regardless of their political party.