Skip to main content

Decision details

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2025/26

Decision Maker: Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Chair invited Councillor Gina Blomefield, Chair Overview and Scrutiny Committee to present the report.

Councillor Gina Blomefield, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, introduced the item and thanked Members of the Committee, the Vice-Chair and Democratic Services for their contribution and support during the year. The Committee's role in providing scrutiny and oversight of the Cabinet as a critical friend was highlighted and it was further noted that its work had been undertaken on a non-political basis.

Councillor Blomefield advised that the Committee had had a busy year, requiring additional meetings to accommodate the volume of matters requiring scrutiny. The Committee's examination of the Local Plan, its review of the health of the retail and hospitality sectors in town centres, and its scrutiny of planning enforcement services, were highlighted. Scrutiny had resulted in a number of recommendations to Cabinet, most of which had been accepted or partially accepted. The Committee's engagement with Freedom Leisure, Ubico and Bromford Housing, were also referred to. The increasing participation of members of the public in Overview and Scrutiny meetings was welcomed.

Looking ahead, Councillor Blomefield advised that the Committee would focus on scrutinising the new Local Plan throughout its preparation, local government reorganisation and the Council's wider policies and priorities, including the budget and Council Plan. The role of the Committee in overseeing key partner organisations was noted as was the participation of the Chair and Vice-Chair in the county-wide Joint Scrutiny Panel for local government reorganisation.

The Chair asked if there were any questions for clarity.

Members expressed their wholehearted support for the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair sought a seconder for the proposal.

Councillor Angus Jenkinson seconded the proposal and spoke in support of the recommendations.

Members of the Committee, officers and Cabinet Members were thanked for their engagement and contribution to the scrutiny process. The increasing effectiveness of the Committee and the value of its role as a critical friend were also highlighted, and it was noted that its work had influenced scrutiny activity at county level and would continue to contribute to the work of the Local Government Reorganisation and Economic Scrutiny Committees.

The Chair moved to the debate.

The following views were expressed during the debate:

  • Members paid tribute to the Chair, Vice-Chair and Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their commitment and contribution to the Council's democratic process.
  • The value of pre-scrutiny was recognised, particularly the opportunity for Cabinet Members and senior officers to engage directly with the Committee and respond to questions before decisions were taken.
  • Members noted that the Committee had become increasingly effective and that its approach provided a positive model for scrutiny, with the potential to inform arrangements for any future unitary authority or authorities.
  • The importance of ensuring that all Members, including backbench Members, had meaningful opportunities to contribute to decision-making and policy development was emphasised.
  • The value of recommendations arising from scrutiny was recognised, with Members noting that such recommendations could identify issues and opportunities that might otherwise not have been considered.
  • The Committee's role in providing independent, constructive challenge and ensuring that decisions and policies were fit for purpose was welcomed.
  • The importance of Members preparing thoroughly and engaging constructively with the scrutiny process was emphasised.
  • The Committee's engagement with local government reorganisation and its contribution to wider county-level scrutiny activity were also welcomed.

The proposer, Councillor Gina Blomefield, was invited to sum up. Members, officers and Cabinet Members were thanked for their contributions and the importance of Overview and Scrutiny as an integral part of the Council's governance arrangements was reiterated. She welcomed the collaborative approach taken by the Committee and expressed support for the report.

The Chair then moved to the vote on the resolution, which was proposed by Councillor Gina Blomefield and seconded by Councillor Angus Jenkinson.

Voting record:

31 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Publication date: 31/07/2026

Date of decision: 15/07/2026

Decided at meeting: 15/07/2026 - Council

Accompanying Documents:

 

Related Pages