Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies of absence were received from Councillor M G Bassenger, Miss A MBeale and M W Helm.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, other Pecuniary Interests or Non-Pecuniary Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 6-8 inclusive of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

Councillor C Morris declared that in relation to Agenda Item 6 report on Requested Scrutiny Items he was acquainted and a fellow Parish Councillor.

To receive the views of members of the public of which prior notification in writing has been received (no later than noon on the Tuesday prior to the day of the meeting).

Should you wish to submit a question please completed the online form at www.maldon.gov.uk/publicparticipation.

The Chairman advised that she had given her permission for Councillor C Morris, who was in attendance, to speak.

Councillor Morris referred to the Agenda Item 6 and the scrutiny item related to the decision-making processes associated with the proposed conversion of a seating shelter at Promenade Park and it being inaccessible to people with disabilities.  Councillor Morris questioned why the Committee were not scrutinising non-disclosure agreements made by the Council.

In response the Chairman agreed there should be way for all Members to request items to be scrutinised by the Committee.  She advised that she would research how to facilitate this in time for the next Working Group meeting.

To consider the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group (the Working Group) updating Members on discussions and recommendations from the Working Group on two requested scrutiny items.

The report set out the review of two scrutiny items that had been reviewed by the Working Group.

The first, from Councillor K M H Lagan regarding the decision-making processes associated with the proposed conversion of a seating shelter at Promenade Park.  This had been supported by the Working Group for inclusion in the Committee’s workplan and detailed in Appendix A to the report.  It was noted that Officers had drafted several questions to be addressed through scrutiny. 

The second request was from Councillor C Swain in relation to flood risk in Heybridge and the various agencies involved with a variety of different assets.  The detail of this request was set out in the report and the Chairman reported that the Working had concluded that as this was essentially an information gathering exercise and Officers had provided an explanatory note of the Council’s responsibilities and Officers were prepared to run a question and answer (Q&A) session for Members to promote greater understanding and assurance.  This approach had been supported by the Working Group for endorsement by the Committee.  The Working Group had also observed that there was still a flooding problem in Heybridge and the Council’s understanding of the reason for this needed to be better communicated to the public.

The Chairman moved the recommendations as set out in the report and these were agreed by assent.

RESOLVED

i)                That the recommendation of the Working Group on the requested scrutiny item (Councillor K Lagan) as set out in Appendix A to the report be noted and added to the Scrutiny Workplan;

ii)              That the conclusions of the Working Group in relation to the request by Councillor C Swain that this item is not added to the Scrutiny Workplan but dealt with as set in paragraph 3.3 of the report, be noted.