Report to:	Place Scrutiny Committee
Date of meeting:	23 March 2022
By:	Assistant Chief Executive
Title:	Place Scrutiny Committee future work programme
Purpose:	To review and agree items for the Place Scrutiny Committee’s future work programme and receive updates on previous work.

RECOMMENDATIONS: The Place Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

1) Review and agree agenda items for the future Committee meetings, including items listed in the work programme in appendix 1;

2) Review and agree topics for Scrutiny Reviews to be included in the Committee’s future work programme;

3) Consider forming a working group for the revision of the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan; and

4) Review upcoming items on East Sussex County Council’s (ESCC) Forward Plan in appendix 2 to identify any issues that may require more detailed scrutiny.

1. Background

1.1 The work programme is an important tool in ensuring the correct focus and best use of the Committee’s time in scrutinising topics that are of importance to the residents of East Sussex, and the efficient and effective working of the Council. It also provides clarity for those who may be requested to give evidence to the Committee on the issues under review, and the questions the Committee requires answers to.

1.2. Discussion of the work programme provides the Committee with the opportunity to examine topics that it may be of value to scrutinise, and to decide whether further scoping work is required. This provides a basis for deciding the best way of scrutinising a topic, the timescale, and who from the Committee will be involved in carrying out the review work. If there are a number of topics for review, the Committee can determine the priority of the work within the resources available to the Committee.

2. Work programme and future scrutiny reviews

2.1 The Committee is asked to review the items in the current work programme contained in appendix 1 of the report and agree the future agenda items and other scrutiny work of the Committee.

2.2 The Committee is asked to consider whether there are any potential topics for future scrutiny reviews, or agenda items for future meetings, that should be included in the work programme. This can include any topics or issues identified through the Committee’s work on the Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) process.

Climate Emergency Action Plan – Working group

2.3 At the Place Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 26 November 2021, the Committee was invited to form a working group to work on the revision of the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan. The Committee is asked to agree to form a working group and agree the membership of the group.

Scrutiny Review of Procurement: Social Value and Buying Local.

2.4 The Review Board met on 22 February 2022 to consider the scope of the review and agreed to proceed with the review. The terms of reference for the review is being drafted for agreement by the Review Board and will include consideration of the draft Social Value Policy and exploring how the Council’s existing approach to social value and buying local supports the Council’s objectives, including those on climate change.

3. Forward Plan

3.1 A copy of the Council’s Forward Plan of executive decisions for the period 1 March 2022 to 30 June 2022 is included in appendix 2. The Committee is requested to review the forthcoming items on the Forward Plan to identify any issues that may require scrutiny work. The Forward Plan is revised and published on a monthly basis, and Committee members should regularly review the Forward Plan.

4. Conclusion and reasons for recommendations

4.1 The Place Scrutiny Committee is recommended to agree the agenda items and topics for scrutiny reviews to be included in the future work programme. The Committee is also recommended to review the Council’s Forward Plan of decisions to identify any issues that may require more detailed scrutiny.

PHILIP BAKER
Assistant Chief Executive

Contact Officer: Martin Jenks, Senior Democratic Service Adviser
Tel. No. 01273 481327
Email: martin.jenks@eastsussex.gov.uk

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

None.