Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 31 August 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 31 August 2023 be approved as a correct record, and signed by the Chair.

Responses to all of the queries and requests for information raised in the meeting had been received or formed part of the agenda.

Members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary or affected interests and the nature of that interest, including the existence and nature of the party whip, in respect of any matter to be considered at this meeting.

Any Member with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in a matter should withdraw from the meeting when the matter is under consideration and should notify the Democratic Services Officer in attendance that they are withdrawing as they have such an interest. If the Disclosable Pecuniary Interest is not entered on the register of Members interests the Monitoring Officer must be notified of the interest within 28 days.

Any Member with an Affected Interest in a matter must disclose the interest to the meeting.  There is no requirement to withdraw from the meeting when the interest is only an affected interest, but the Monitoring Officer should be notified of the interest, if not previously notified of it, within 28 days of the meeting.

Councillor Christoph Eberle declared a personal interest in Thames Water as the company he worked for meant he carried out projects for Thames Water occasionally.

There were no indications that councillors would be participating while under the party whip.

There were no items of urgent business.

No submissions had been made by members of the public under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme for Overview and Scrutiny.

To consider the draft Council Plan 2023-2027 and recommend any changes to the Executive for consideration before the plan is presented for adoption in November.

Andrew Hunter, Executive Director: Place, Planning and Regeneration provided a brief introduction to the Council Plan.  It was noted that the Council Plan was essential to the policy framework and outlined the Council priorities for the four years up to 2027. The development of the plan had incorporated significant engagement and feedback to ensure correct structure and wording.  It was noted that the content of the plan has been tested to ensure its relevance within the period of the plan but has also remained ambitious, deliverable and was set in the context of the Council’s available budget.

Katie Flint, Policy and Performance Lead provided a short presentation on the Draft Council Plan.  It was acknowledged that the plan forms the underpinning of the development of the Overview and Scrutiny work programme and hence feedback from the commission was welcomed. The following points were shared:

·        The plan was set around a structure of three borough priorities and an internally focussed theme.

·        It was ambitious and set goals and objectives that required close working with partners.  This point recognised that to obtain the best results for residents the whole system would need to work together. The plan provided a framework that would enable the development of these conversations.

·        The plan set the strategic goals and key results for the four-year period, 2023-2027.  It was noted that each of the directorate service plans would provide more detail on specific activities, development of these would take place once the Council Plan was finalised.

·        Feedback gathered from this commission meeting would be provided to the Executive for consideration of inclusion in the final plan.

The following points were made and questions asked:

·        It was acknowledged that climate change and the commitment to reach net zero through reducing emissions was covered but a query was raised regarding the lack of content around renewables.  In response it was noted that there were a number of options of modifications that could be made. It was suggested that this recommendation could be put forward to suggest an additional metric was added to the green and sustainable environment regarding energy usage and renewable energy on the Council estate.

·        On page 15 of the plan, a question was asked about the point ‘children have quality education and opportunities to fulfil their potential’.  Why was there no mention of the Ofsted rating for schools being seen as good or outstanding?  It was suggested that this would provide a broader definition of attainment targets and would provide a key auditable benchmark.   In response it was noted that this highlighted a minor error, and the wording would be corrected to include this.  A further query was raised regarding whether there could be reference to Bracknell Forests current school improvement plan, which was wider than Ofsted.  This would pick up on emotional wellbeing and mental health and would therefore provide improved preparation for future external audit and scrutiny. 

·        A query was raised that on page 19 there was no metric linked to resilience which was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.