Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Adrian Brown.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 July 2021.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Committee meeting held on Wednesday 22 July 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Executive taken on 11 August 2021

2. Minutes – 14 July 2021                                                  5   – 16

3. Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee    17 – 24

And Select Committee

4. Covid – 19 Update

5. Transformation                                                                 25 – 36

6. 4^th Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report 2020/21 –  

General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

7. 2020/21 Capital Expenditure Outturn                          37 – 54

Notice of Decisions to follow

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE

MEETING HELD ON 11 AUGUST 2021

The Committee noted the minutes of the Executive meeting held on Wednesday 11 August 2021.

2. Minutes of the Executive – 14 July 2021

Noted.

3. Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees.

Members were pleased to note that Officers would be introducing an action tracker for Executive decisions

4. Covid-19 update

The Chief Executive advised that an update on the latest Covid-19 position had been given at the Executive meeting held on Wednesday 11 August 2021. He agreed to send the written update to all Overview and Scrutiny Members following the meeting.

5. Transformation

The Strategic Director (CF) advised that the programme was an element of the new Making Your Money Count FTFC Programme. Members made the following comments:

·         The programme was very high level and would be more useful for Members when further details were available. Officers confirmed that Members would receive further detail during the next stage of the process and that the report was focussed upon consideration of the transformation principles which would be used to inform future activity;

·         A briefing for the Opposition Groups was welcomed which would be arranged by the Strategic Director (CF) and the Assistant Director Digital and Transformation;

·         In relation to paperless working, half of the Committee Members were supportive of the move to paperless and would be willing to start as soon as possible other Members however, were more cautious. The Assistant Director (Digital and Transformation) confirmed that Members would be receiving ongoing training to ensure the transition was as smooth as possible;

·         Concern was expressed by a Member regarding the possible loss of the Council’s Print Room Service;

·         All Members across the Council should be engaged in the transformation programme.

6. 4^th Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report 2020/21 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

The Committee noted that audit of the 2019/20 accounts should shortly be completed. The Strategic Director (CF) also reported that the external auditor had confirmed that they would not be carrying out the audit until November 2021 which was a concern as SBC Finance staff would have started work on the 2022/23 Budget by then.

In response to a question, the Strategic Director (CF) agreed to provide information to Councillor Parker regarding the Council’s investment relationship with Goldman Sachs International.

7. 2020/21 Capital Expenditure Outturn

Noted.

8. Urgent Part I Business – Potential County Deal

The Chief Executive advised the Committee that the Executive had backed HCC’s proposal to submit an early County Deal Expression of Interest but with the proviso that SBC would not be supportive of any proposal that promoted or resulted in significant Local Government Reform for Hertfordshire.

To consider any urgent Part I Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

None.

To consider any Part I business accepted by the Chair as urgent

None.

To consider the following motions:

1.       That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.       That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

It was RESOLVED:

1.  That, under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 to 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by SI 2006 No. 88.

2.  That having considered the reasons for the following item being in Part II, it be determined that maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighed the public interest in disclosure.

To consider the following Part II Decisions of the Executive taken on 11 August 2021.

10 Disposal of Part of Marshgate Carpark for the          55 – 66

Delivery of a Life Sciences Centre

11 Fairlands Valley Farmhouse                                        67 - 76

Notice of Decisions to follow

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE

MEETING HELD 11 AUGUST 2021

The Committee considered the Part II Decisions of the Executive held on 11 August 2021.

To consider any urgent Part II Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

None.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent

None.