Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

None.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting dated 12 May 2022 be agreed as an accurate record.

It was confirmed that all items of business were marked Part I and would be considered in public.

Mark Braddock, Senior Democratic Services Manager, provided the Committee with an introduction to overview and scrutiny within Hillingdon.

Key topics highlighted from the report included:

·       The purpose, role and remit of the Residents’ Services Select Committee, including how the Committee fitted into the local and national scrutiny structure;

·       How Select Committees worked, including their alignment with Cabinet portfolios, adherence to the Local Government Act, and partnership working with Cabinet Members and reporting to Cabinet;

·       The Scrutiny Call-In process, including use of the Hillingdon Call-In app, special urgency decision making and the waiving of the call-in period, and the Leader’s emergency powers; and

·       Scrutiny Essentials and Top Tips.

The Committee was reminded that it had no direct decision making powers, although it could make suggestions or recommendations for actions to Cabinet. Additionally, the Committee would be given the opportunity to provide comments to Cabinet prior to it making certain decisions, as part of the Council’s consultation process.

It was noted that the Residents’ Services Select Committee had a cross cutting remit in terms of climate change. An update on the Strategic Climate Action Plan would be provided to the Committee in October 2022. Moreover, the Select Committee had responsibility for the statutory scrutiny of Crime & Disorder external partners enabling it to scrutinise the work of the Safer Hillingdon Partnership.

Members raised the issue of topics that cut across multiple Cabinet Member portfolios, and how it was determined which Committee would review the report on such topics. The Committee was advised that in such instances, in an effort to avoid duplication of officer work, any relevant report would be considered by the ‘primary’ Select Committee (i.e. the Committee whose remit was most closely aligned to the topic’s service area/department). Where there were specific interests that crossed a number of Committees, the Chairmen from those interested Committees could be invited to attend the primary Committee meeting and contribute to consideration of the item.

On the matter of Call-Ins, it was confirmed that a special meeting would need to be arranged if required.

Members requested further clarification on the matter of external scrutiny. It was confirmed that the Select Committee would receive a report bi-annually. Senior officers from the Police, Fire Brigade and the Probation Service could be invited to attend these meetings.

RESOLVED: That the report and presentation be noted.

At the request of Members, it was agreed that the Local Flood Risk Management item on the Forward Plan be amended to reflect the fact that Vicky Boorman had left the Council.

RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan be noted.

It was noted that, at the 21 July 2022 meeting, the topic for the Select Committee’s major review would be discussed. Suggestions at this stage included:

1.    Housing services / housing reception – customer experience;

2.    Homelessness post-pandemic;

3.    Modern enforcement (delivery drivers and their impact on the High Street / anti-social behaviour);

4.    Review of parking and enforcement – information item;

5.    An update on High Street regeneration post-Covid – information item;

6.    An update on CIL recording and a request for an additional S106 expenditure report – information item.

It was noted that some of these matters could be considered as information items rather than as the topic of a full Committee review. At the July meeting, a scorecard could be used to assist with topic selection. It was noted that it was sometimes beneficial to receive an information report first to assist the Committee in establishing whether a full review of a particular matter was worthwhile or required.

The Committee was informed that the Allotments item originally planned for the July meeting would now be considered in November 2022. Site visits to front line services were to be arranged and ideas were welcome.

RESOLVED: That the Work Programme be noted.