Report to:	Place Scrutiny Committee
Date of meeting:	28 March 2023
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 updated work programme in appendix 1;

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

3) Agree to proceed with a scrutiny review of pothole management as set out in paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4 below and the terms of reference in appendix 2, and agree the membership of the review board; and

4) Review upcoming items on East Sussex County Council’s (ESCC) Forward Plan in appendix 3 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 and discuss the future agenda items and other scrutiny work of the Committee for inclusion in the Committee’s future work programme. A copy of the work programme is contained in appendix 1 of the report for agreement by the Committee.

2.2 The Committee is also 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.

Highways Scoping Board

2.3 The Highways Scoping Board which was comprised of Councillors Matthew Beaver, Ian Hollidge, Eleanor Kirby-Green and Philip Lunn met on the 6 February 2023 to review initial information for a scrutiny review of highways. The Scoping board discussed a range of topics including highway defects and pothole repairs; vegetation management; highways drainage and utility company repairs.

2.4 Following detailed discussion the Scoping Board agreed that a scrutiny review of pothole repairs was the most significant issue, and the other highways topics could be considered at a later date. The Scoping Board therefore recommends that the Committee proceed with a scrutiny review of pothole management including defect reporting and agrees the terms of reference for the review contained in appendix 2. Membership of the review board will be comprised of the members of the scoping board plus any other interested Committee members. It is proposed that Councillor Ian Hollidge be appointed as chair of the scrutiny review. The Committee is asked to proceed with the review and agree the terms of reference and membership of the Review Board.

3. Forward Plan

3.1 A copy of the Council’s Forward Plan of executive decisions for the period 1 March 2023 to 30 June 2023 is included in appendix 3. 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 work programme contained in appendix 1 and agree any further agenda items or topics for scrutiny reviews to be included in the future work programme. The Committee is also recommended to proceed with a scrutiny review of pothole management and 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 Scrutiny Adviser
Tel. No. 01273 481327
Email: martin.jenks@eastsussex.gov.uk

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

None.