Decision details

The Committee received a verbal report from Executive Director Place and Economy who welcomed scrutiny of all areas within his remit to improve both the perception and the delivery of service for residents.  An outline of work carried out within the service area was provided to facilitate the Committee’s discussions when developing suggestions for its work programme.

The Committee made comments, asked questions and heard:

·         Potential Scrutiny activity was suggested:

Ø   to review the funding gap for North West Relief Road and assess the current processes.

Ø   to review the Council’s Tree Policy as West Northamptonshire.

Ø   The Committee to confirm the date for its Work Programming Event.

Ø   to review regeneration of the Town Centre, including culture.

Ø   to monitor and review the Broadband Contract.

Ø   to review congestion and parking within Northampton Town Centre.

Ø   to review how Fly tipping is dealt with.

Ø   to review the business case for the Farthinghoe Bypass.

Ø   to have an overview within the constraints of the Highways Contract.

Ø   Waste Disposal Contract - to investigate how waste is dealt with, including the harmonisation of green waste.

Ø   to provide scrutiny input into the Bus Strategy.

Ø   to provide scrutiny input into the Assets Strategy.

Ø   The Committee to consider the Council’s Economic Strategy.

Ø   The Committee to review the Council’s Carbon Programme.

Ø   Crime and Disorder Scrutiny. The Committee to receive a performance report from the Chair of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP). It was noted that this is a statutory function of Overview and Scrutiny.

Ø   The Committee to consider the Performance Monitoring Report so that it can undertake Performance Management Scrutiny.

Ø   The Committee to undertake scrutiny of the Flood Risk Management Strategy.  It was highlighted that this is a statutory function of Overview and Scrutiny

Ø   The Committee to produce its Annual Overview and Scrutiny Report 2021/22 for submission to full Council for information.

Ø   Skills Strategy - to provide a scrutiny co-ordinating role, working with universities, schools (and parents), colleges and businesses.

Ø   to review Apprenticeships within the organisation, including the apprenticeship levy and levels of apprenticeships, for example: technical and graduate.

Ø   to review Home to School Transport.

Ø   to consider the Emergency Planning processes and procedures for events.

Ø   Gigaclear - to ask North Northamptonshire Council to provide a report to enable a review of the arrangements and the progress of the contract and consider the element of value for money

Agreed that:

The draft Work Programme 2021/2022 for the Place Scrutiny Committee (as attached at Appendix A) for presentation to and for the consideration of, the Co-ordinating Overview and Scrutiny Group at its meeting on 21 July 2021.