Agenda item

To receive an update on Scrutiny Review Groups during 2021-22.

To consider the Committee`s work priorities for 2022-23 and how best they can be addressed by the Committee, including any Scrutiny Review Groups to carry out work based on objectives agreed by the Committee.

(please see attached proforma for Members to consider /outline any issues best suited to be looked at by an SRG, such as evidence based task and finish work ).

Eric Dickinson referred members to the Scrutiny Work Programme Proposal form which had been designed to assist members in developing their scrutiny review ideas for the work it wanted the committee to carry out over the year.

Each scrutiny review needed to be properly project managed, should have a set of objectives and an initial view on the outcomes that the review would seek to achieve. Wherever possible review groups should be guided by SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound).

Members of the committee were encouraged to complete and return the proposal form after the meeting with ideas to enable an informed discussion at the next meeting on the work the committee wanted to carry out over the year. At that meeting members would be asked to commit to participating in reviews in which they were interested, relevant officers would be identified, and realistic objectives and timeframes considered.

It was suggested that one potential review was of the current decline in the Queensgate/Bank Hall area, where there were sadly a number of people living in cars or in gardens with cardboard boxes for shelter. Identifying the reasons for these issues in this area could then be used to help other parts of the town.

Councillor Royle reported to the committee on a scrutiny review that she had been leading into Calico Homes during 2021/22. She explained that there were a lot of Calico properties in her ward and most of the issues that residents raised with her were about housing. She had tried to go direct to try to resolve issues on behalf of residents but had concluded that conducting a scrutiny review would bring more influence to bear.

A Calico Housing scrutiny review group had been established and Paul Gatrell, the Head of Housing and Development Control, had helped to set up meetings with a Director of Calico. Members had presented evidence to back up residents` concerns, including photographs and written statements. At the last meeting of the Review Group the Director had presented a list of improvements that were to be made to some of the older properties, which included the laying of new roofs and the fitting of new boilers. It had been decided that the review should be kept open and meetings with the Director continue so that progress could be monitored. A written update report would be brought to the next meeting summarising the work of the Review to date..

Councillor Royle said that some members of the review group were no longer members of the committee so she would welcome other members to get involved. It was agreed that Councillors Barton, Sollis and Whitaker would join the group which currently consisted of Councillors Birtwistle, Hosker and Royle.

IT WAS AGREED THAT:

1)    Councillors Barton, Sollis and Whitaker join the Calico Homes scrutiny review group;

2)    A written update on the Calico Homes scrutiny review group be presented to the next meeting,

3)    Members be encouraged to submit completed Scrutiny Work Programme Proposal forms in time for discussion at the next meeting.