Issue - meetings

Item OS 21/29 referred from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 2 December 2021

Consideration of recommendations to Cabinet from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 2 December 2020 (OS 21/29)

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)         Officers be invited to consider how the agenda for each meeting of the Committee include an item on an element of financial matters which identified any changes in the budgetary position since the previous meeting;

(2)         the Risk Register be reported to the Committee on a regular basis to provide an update on those identified as ‘red’ and identify actions taken to negate those risks; and

(3)         Officers investigate best practice of other local authorities and invite their officers to present details of this at a future meeting of the Committee.

Decision Notice: D220010CAB

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 2 December (OS 21/29).

RESOLVED: That

(1)         Officers be invited to consider how the agenda for each meeting of the Committee include an item on an element of financial matters which identified any changes in the budgetary position since the previous meeting;

(2)         the Risk Register be reported to the Committee on a regular basis to provide an update on those identified as ‘red’ and identify actions taken to negate those risks; and

(3)         Officers investigate best practice of other local authorities and invite their officers to present details of this at a future meeting of the Committee.

A report summarising the key issues arising from the Commissioners’ Interventions Report at the former Northamptonshire County Council.  Members are asked to review the issues raised and consider whether TMBC is adequately equipped to avoid these issues occurring.  Members of this Committee are also asked to consider what role the Committee can play in supporting the ‘financial agenda’, and more generally whether Members feel that specific training might be needed.

The joint report of the Chief Executive, Director of Finance and Transformation and Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive summarised the key issues arising from the Commissioners’ Interventions Report at the former Northamptonshire County Council.

Members reviewed the issues raised and assessed whether the Borough Council was adequately equipped to avoid these occurring within Tonbridge and Malling.   Particular reference was made to the major financial challenges facing the Council and consideration given to what role the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should have in supporting the ‘financial agenda’. In addition, Members discussed what specific training might be required to assist in the overview and scrutiny role. 

After careful consideration, it was

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)         Officers be invited to consider how the agenda for each meeting of the Committee include an item on an element of financial matters which identifies any changes in the budgetary position since the previous meeting;

(2)         the Risk Register be reported to the Committee on a regular basis to provide an update on those identified as ‘red’ and identify actions taken to negate those risks;

(3)         Officers be invited to identify suitable training for members of the Committee in light of its scrutiny role and to enable a better understanding of financial issues; and

(4)         Officers investigate best practice at other local authorities and invite their officers to present details of this at a future meeting of the Committee.

*Referred to Cabinet

A report summarising the key issues arising from the Commissioners’ Interventions Report at the former Northamptonshire County Council.  Members are asked to review the issues raised and consider whether TMBC is adequately equipped to avoid these issues occurring.  Members of this Committee are also asked to consider what role the Committee can play in supporting the ‘financial agenda’, and more generally whether Members feel that specific training might be needed.

The joint report of the Chief Executive, Director of Finance and Transformation and the Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer summarised the key issues arising from the Commissioners’ Interventions Report at the former Northamptonshire County Council.  Members were asked to review the issues raised and to consider whether TMBC was adequately equipped to avoid these issues occurring.  Members were also asked to consider what role the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could play in supporting the ‘financial agenda’ and, more generally, whether it was felt that specific training might be needed.

The Chairman commented that there was insufficient time at the meeting to give this item the in-depth consideration it deserved and invited Members to undertake an initial debate to identify issues/matters which could be given detailed consideration at a special meeting of the Committee in November.  The Committee noted the need to ensure that the Council was properly equipped to deal with the issues identified in the Interventions Report and that, as the Cabinet alone could not solve all the problems, all Members needed to shape the way forward.  The Committee was reminded of its role to challenge decisions, particularly those with financial implications, and acknowledged the need for training in addressing specialised matters such as estimates and budgetary control. 

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)         a Special Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be held in November specifically to allow more detailed consideration on this subject; and

(2)         the Training Programmes provided through the Local Government Association be explored by the appropriate Officer and all members of the committee encouraged to register for the LGA’s “Leadership Webinar on Scrutiny Essentials” to be held at 2.30 pm on 22 November 2021.  The booking information and link to be circulated to Members.

* Referred to Cabinet