Report to: People Scrutiny Committee
Date of meeting: 14 July 2025
By: Deputy Chief Executive
Title: People Scrutiny Committee Work Programme
Purpose: To review and discuss the People Scrutiny Committee’s future work programme
RECOMMENDATIONS: The Committee is recommended to:
1) review and agree the latest work programme set out at Appendix 1;
2) review upcoming items on East Sussex County Council’s Forward Plan as set out at 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 consider 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 potential topics for review, Members can determine the priority of the work within the resources available to the Committee.
2. Supporting information
2.1 The Committee’s latest work programme is attached at Appendix 1, incorporating a number of updates including those outlined below. The Committee is asked to consider, discuss and agree the work programme, subject to any further changes required.
Scrutiny Reviews
Transport for all age care
2.2 An initial scoping board was held in May 2025 where Members considered current statutory duties around transport in both adult social care and education; cost pressures; and programmes of work, planned and underway, to address these.
2.3 The Board agreed that it was not currently the right time for a scrutiny review in this area, due to work in progress, but that potential upcoming changes to transport policy in ASCH would be brought to the Committee when appropriate. The Board was keen to scrutinise areas in Home to School Transport and agreed that a rapid review in the autumn of some specific cost avoidance measures could add value. A further scoping board to consider these areas in more detail, and to consider if this topic is suitable for a scrutiny review, will be arranged for later in the year.
Reference Groups
Children’s Services Reforms Reference Group
2.4 The Committee agreed at its March 2025 meeting to convert the existing Prevention in Children’s Services Reference Group and the Attendance Reference Group into a single Reference Group focused on national reforms relating to Children’s Services, with a particular focus on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
2.5 The Children's Services Reforms Reference Group met for the first time on 16 June 2025 and received a presentation by Children’s Services on changes to the national context, including policies focused on social care and education, including the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, and the department’s response to these reforms. The Group recognised the significant impact reforms would have on the department and discussed funding to deliver these reforms, work to rebalance current funding to earlier intervention and prevention, and the impact of delivering reforms within the context of local government reorganisation and devolution.
2.6 The Group agreed to meet in December 2025 to consider implications of the expected SEND White Paper.
Health and Social Care Integration Programme (HASCIP) Reference Group
2.7 The Group last met on 18 June 2025 to consider an update on the Sussex Integrated Care Strategy Shared Delivery Plan (SDP) year 2 refresh and progress of Integrated Community Teams. The Group discussed a number of issues including changes to funding for Integrated Care Boards, hospital discharge and the role of the Health and Wellbeing Board.
2.8 The Group agreed to meet in September 2025 to consider the impact of NHS reforms.
Briefings and training
2.9 The Committee received a briefing from Public Health on the 29 May 2025 on the Climate Change Health Impact Assessment. Upcoming items on the Member Training Programme relevant to the People Committee are highlighted on the work programme.
2.10 As part of ongoing development, Members are invited to consider any other topics of
interest for training or briefings to support their role on the Committee.
Forward Plan
2.11 A copy of the Council’s Forward Plan of executive decisions for the period 1 July – 31 October 2025 is included at Appendix 2. The Committee is requested to review the forthcoming items on the Forward Plan to identify any issues within the remit of this Committee that may require more detailed scrutiny. The Forward Plan is revised and published on a monthly basis and Committee members should regularly review the Forward Plan.
3. Conclusion and reasons for recommendations
3.1 An important part of managing the work of the People Scrutiny Committee is regularly
reviewing its future work programme. This involves the Committee assessing its priorities, ensuring its ongoing reviews are completed in a timely fashion and identifying new areas for scrutiny.
PHILIP BAKER
Deputy Chief Executive
Contact Officer: Rachel Sweeney, Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser
Tel. No. 07561267461