Cost of Living Support Icon

Agenda Item No 7

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

 

Homes and Safe Communities Scrutiny Committee: 12th September, 2018

 

Report of the Managing Director

 

Scrutiny Committees' Draft Annual Report May 2017 to April 2018

Purpose of the Report

  1. To consider and approve the Scrutiny Committees' draft 2017/18 Annual Report.

Recommendation

That the Scrutiny Committee approve the contents of the draft Annual Report for the period May 2017 to April 2018, subject to any further minor amendments being agreed in consultation with the Chairman, and that the report be submitted to Full Council in September 2018.

Reason for the Recommendation

To approve the draft Scrutiny Committees' Annual Report to allow it to be submitted to Full Council in September 2018.

Background

  1. In accordance with Section 7.4.4 of the Council's Constitution, Scrutiny Committees' must report annually to Full Council on their workings and make recommendations for their future work programmes and amend their working methods if appropriate. 

Relevant Issues and Options

  1. The draft Annual Report attached at Appendix A to this report details the role of Scrutiny, how Scrutiny is undertaken in the Vale of Glamorgan and highlights key achievements from the work of each Scrutiny Committee, significant events during the year and future working, specifically in relation to the Council agreement that the work of Scrutiny should be closely aligned to four wellbeing objective outcomes that form the main basis of the Council's new Corporate Plan which was published in April 2016. 
  2. In considering the draft Annual Report, Members are requested to refer specifically to the relevant sections for their Committee and to make any amendments or suggestions as appropriate.
  3. In the first instance, the Scrutiny Committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen Group has been asked to consider the contents of the Annual Report at its meeting on 3rd September 2018, with any comments being referred to the relevant Scrutiny Committee.
  4. The Annual Report will subsequently be submitted to Full Council in September 2018 and will then be available on the Council's website.  For information, Members are advised that the Annual Report is only "reported to Council" as opposed to it requiring actual approval. 

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

  1. There are no direct financial implications arising from this report.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

  1. None as a direct result of this report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

  1. The Council is required to comply with the Local Government Act 2000, the Local Government Wales Measure 2011 and subordinate legislation in relation to Scrutiny function.

Crime and Disorder Implications

  1. None as a direct result of this report.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

  1. None as a direct result of this report.

Corporate/Service Objectives

  1. The Council's Corporate Plan 2016-20 contains an Integrated Planning Action - "Review the current arrangements to support effective scrutiny and facilitate more robust challenge and improved accountability".  The Council's approach to performance management has been reviewed as part of this process and to ensure effective scrutiny of the Council's cross-cutting Corporate Plan actions.

Policy Framework and Budget

  1. Section 7.4.4 of the Council's Constitution requires the Scrutiny Committees' Annual report be presented to Full Council and to include details of future work programmes.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

  1. The reporting of the Scrutiny Committees' Annual Report is an internal matter and therefore no external consultation is necessary. 

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

  1. All.

Background Papers

Council's Constitution

Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee minutes 2017/18

Contact Officer

Mrs. K. Bowen, Principal Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officer

Officers Consulted

All Directors

Responsible Officer:

Rob Thomas, Managing Director