Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors U C G Siddall-Norman and L L Wiffen.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 5 March 2024, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 5 March 2024 be approved and confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registrable interests and Non-Registrable Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraph 9 and Appendix B 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).

There were none.

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.

No requests had been received.

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

The Committee received the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group (the Working Group) that brought to the attention of the Committee, a Member scrutiny item request with a view to the Committee considering how best to take it forward in the light of the conclusions of the Working Group. A pro-forma based on the Member request together with the initial Officer response was attached at Appendix A to the report.

The Chairperson introduced the report and the recommendations coming forward from the Working Group which included consideration of the ‘lessons learned’ report by the project team once finalised. To avoid fragmented consideration at this stage, the Chairperson proposed that that the Committee agree to add this item to its scrutiny workplan and it be referred back to the Working Group to review the ‘lessons learned’ report, when it becomes available, together with any other outstanding related issues. Then, once reviewed, the Working Group would bring its recommendations back to this Committee. This was duly seconded.

The Chairperson also reminded members that previous consideration of the project has happened in private and confidential discussion. This report was made available publicly and scrutiny processes should be as transparent as possible. However, depending on the nature of detail in the following report this may have to be reviewed.

The Chairperson put his proposal to the Committee, and this was agreed by assent.

RESOLVED that the scrutiny item Corporate Project – Land at Heybridge be added to the Committee’s scrutiny workplan and be referred back to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group to review the ‘lessons learned’ report (once available), together with any other outstanding related issues, and any recommendations from the Working Group be brought back to this Committee.

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

The Committee received the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group (the Working Group) that brought to the attention of the Committee a Member scrutiny item request and the conclusions of the Working Group.

The Chairperson introduced the report and deferred to the Assistant Director - Programmes, Performance and Governance to provide the detail. A pro-form based on the Member request together with the initial Officer response was attached at Appendix A to the report and the Assistant Director explained the background to this. She advised that the Working Group, upon reviewing information supplied by Officers had confirmed assurance that the item did not require adding to the workplan. The Working Group concluded that any further discussion around the points raised could be pursued at meetings of the Strategic Housing Board.

Councillor P L Spenceley agreed with the Working Group’s conclusion, but raised some further related queries, and then proposed that the Committee refer the report relating to this item of scrutiny to the Strategic Housing Board. This was duly seconded and when put to the Committee, agreed.

The Chairperson moved the recommendation as set out in the report and this was duly seconded and when put to the Committee, agreed by assent.

RESOLVED

(i)         that the Committee notes the Working Group’s conclusion that the matters raised in this scrutiny request can be pursued elsewhere within the Council and agrees that there is no need to add this item to the scrutiny workplan;

(ii)        That the report relating to this item of scrutiny be referred to the Strategic Housing Board.