Place Scrutiny Committee – Work Programme

Current Scrutiny Reviews
Title of Review	Detail	Proposed Completion Date
To be agreed.
Initial Scoping Reviews
Subject area for initial scoping	Detail	Proposed Dates
To be agreed.
List of Suggested Potential Future Scrutiny Review or Reference Group Topics
Suggested Topic	Detail
Please See list below on page 5.	The Committee discussed a range of topics for potential inclusion in the work programme at the work planning ‘Away Day’ held on 13 September to refine and prioritise existing and potential new items identified by the Committee for inclusion in the work programme.
Local Transport Plan (LTP) – Reference Group	The Committee will consider forming a Reference Group to work alongside officers on the development of the revised Local Transport Plan (LTP 4) focussing on sustainable transport issues.
Glover Report on the Landscapes Review.	To examine the Landscapes Review: National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB’s) led by Julian Glover and what the implications might be for East Sussex. This is an independent review considering the next steps for National Parks and AONBs in England.
Highway Licence Fees	To review the way in which licence fees are levied on Parish and Town Councils for items placed on the highway and explore options to reflect the different size and nature of such organisations.
Communications	The Committee would like to review the Council’s Communications function to understand the current work that is being delivered, the use of new technologies, and the potential impact of any changes that may be proposed to the service.
Scrutiny Reference Groups
Reference Group Title	Subject Area	Meetings Dates
Highways Contract Re-procurement	The Committee has agreed to re-form the reference group to work alongside Officers on the next stages of the Highway Services Re-Procurement Project (HSRP). The next stages include the implementation of the procurement strategy, mobilisation and monitoring of the contract once the Detailed Business Case (DBC) has been agreed by Cabinet.	Ongoing to May 2023
Reports for Information
Subject	Detail	Proposed Date
Economic Regeneration and Support for Business	To have a report from the Economic Development team on their work to support businesses and economic regeneration following the Covid19 pandemic and the impact of national lockdowns on the local economy.	September/November 2021
Trading Standards Service.	To gain an understanding of the current work and focus of the Trading Standards Team, and to examine whether the proposed savings will still allow a sustainable service to be provided, especially in protecting vulnerable people through the work on Scams and with Community Safety partners.	September/November 2021
Broadband Project and Gigabit Voucher Scheme	To receive on update on the roll out of the Broadband Project and how ESCC’s additional support for the Gigabit Voucher scheme is enabling access to broadband services by hard to reach properties/communities.	September/November 2021
Training and Development
Title of Training/Briefing	Detail	Proposed Date
To be agreed.

Future Committee Agenda Items		Author
26 November 2021*	*revised meeting date.
Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR)	The Committee will examine any additional information requested at the September meeting and consider any updated RPPR information for 2022/23.	Chief Executive / Senior Democratic Services Adviser
East Sussex Road Safety Programme	To receive a final report on the outcomes of the East Sussex Road Safety Programme including the Behavioural Change and Speed Management projects.	Assistant Director, Communities
Scrutiny Review of Road Markings	To receive the second update report on the implementation of the recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Road Markings.	Assistant Director, Operations
Scrutiny Review of Becoming a Carbon Neutral Council	To receive an update report on the implementation of the recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Becoming a Carbon Neutral Council.	Director of Communities, Economy & Transport/Chief Operating Officer
Workstyles Programme	To receive an update on the Workstyles Programme which covers the longer term changes to working practices/working methods for ESCC staff and the use of the Council’s estate in light of the changes brought about by the Covid19 pandemic.	Chief Operating Officer/Head of HR&OD/Assistant Director, Property
Work Programme	To consider items for inclusion in the Committee’s work programme: · Reports for future meetings · Scrutiny reviews and potential scrutiny reviews · Items from the Forward Plan	Senior Democratic Services Adviser
23 March 2022
Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR)	The Committee will review its input into the RPPR budget setting process, and the impact of any recommendations or comments made by the Committee.	Chief Executive / Senior Democratic Services Adviser
Work Programme	To consider items for inclusion in the Committee’s work programme: · Reports for future meetings · Scrutiny reviews and potential scrutiny reviews · Items from the Forward Plan	Senior Democratic Services Adviser
22 June 2022
Scrutiny Review of Becoming a Carbon Neutral Council	To receive the second update report on the implementation of the recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Becoming a Carbon Neutral Council.	Director of Communities, Economy & Transport/Chief Operating Officer
Work Programme	To consider items for inclusion in the Committee’s work programme: · Reports for future meetings · Scrutiny reviews and potential scrutiny reviews · Items from the Forward Plan	Senior Democratic Services Adviser
21 September 2022
Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR)	To start the Committee’s work on the RPPR process for 2022/23, by reviewing Portfolio Plans and service based information.	Chief Executive / Senior Democratic Services Adviser
Work Programme	To consider items for inclusion in the Committee’s work programme: · Reports for future meetings · Scrutiny reviews and potential scrutiny reviews Items from the Forward Plan	Senior Democratic Services Adviser
24 November 2022
Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR)	The Committee will examine any additional information requested at the September meeting and consider any updated RPPR information for 2022/23.	Chief Executive / Senior Democratic Services Adviser
Work Programme	To consider items for inclusion in the Committee’s work programme: · Reports for future meetings · Scrutiny reviews and potential scrutiny reviews · Items from the Forward Plan	Senior Democratic Services Adviser

Other Potential Future Items to be Considered for Inclusion in the Work Programme

The Place Scrutiny Committee held a work planning ‘Away Day’ session on 13 September 2021 to discuss and prioritise the following items for possible inclusion in the work programme, as well as the existing items on the work programme. The Committee members who attended the ‘Away Day’ will feed back the proposed changes to the work programme for confirmation by the Committee at the 22 September 2021 Place Scrutiny Committee meeting.

· Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, Active Travel and Sustainable Transport – A review of work in this area including links to the Public Health work on Active Travel for health benefits and encouraging more walking and cycling. Also to examine how we move from strategies and plans to developing ‘shovel ready’ projects ready for delivery when funding is available.

· Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (Cabinet 30 September) – The Committee may wish to look at this in regard to sustainable transport and the item above.

· Economic Development – Examine the work undertaken by Sea Change Sussex and Team East Sussex and how future projects are identified and developed.

· A review of the available Government funding for the services that are within the remit of the Committee and examination of how a pipeline of projects is developed to maximise the use of such funding.

· A review of how ESCC engages with Borough, District, Parish and Town Councils and other community stakeholders to devolve services and encourage communities to engage in the delivery of services that are important to them.

· Electric Vehicle Charging – A review of the plans for the Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure in East Sussex and the utilisation of available Government funding.

· ‘Bus Back Better’ strategy – Work on the development of the Enhanced Bus Partnership.

Local Transport Plan (LTP) Review – The Director of Communities, Economy & Transport suggested that the Scrutiny Committee may wish to form a Reference Group to work on the development of the revised Local Transport Plan (LTP4) as this would encompass many of the sustainable transport issues and would include multi modal transport links to ensure different forms of transport link together and that both rural and urban communities’ transport needs are met. This links to the Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan, the ‘Bus Back Better’ strategy and the development of an Enhanced Bus Partnership (as discussed at the recent Lead Member for Transport and Environment meeting) as well as climate change issues such as the use of electric vehicles and de-carbonising transport. The formation of a scrutiny Reference Group could be beneficial in developing the LTP.