Issue - meetings

To consider an update from the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal and Democratic Governance) on the conduct of scrutiny business in the light of the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal and Democratic Governance) attended the meeting and provided an update on the conduct of scrutiny business in the light of the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was reported that since the last meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, the government had taken the decision to remove most of the plan B restrictions that had previously been place. 

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that discussion were ongoing with Group Leaders in relation to the means by which face-to-face meetings were conducted and whether social distancing measures in particular would be retained.

·         It was commented that society was increasingly moving towards a return to ‘normality’, however consideration needed to be given to those members who may be considered vulnerable in any future meeting arrangements.

·         It was important that the decision of the Scrutiny Committee was guided by the position nationally and advice from the Council’s officers.

·         It was acknowledged that remote meetings had worked well, however the appropriate legislation was not currently in place to permit local authorities to exercise the discretion to hold statutory meetings by such means.

·         There was a place for remote meetings and a recognition that holding meetings in this way would provide a level of flexibility that may encourage a wider range of people to stand for election.

·         It was noted that scrutiny review panel meetings would continue to be held remotely.

RESOLVED - That, subject to any advice or instruction from the government in relation to working from home, the next round of service-based scrutiny committees commencing on 28 February 2022 be held as face-to-face meetings.

To consider an update from the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal and Democratic Governance) on the conduct of scrutiny business in the light of the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal and Democratic Governance) attended the meeting and provided an update on the conduct of scrutiny business in the light of the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was reported that there was concern in relation to the speed and spread of the omicron variant of the virus and that in the light of the government having invoked ‘Plan B’ which included guidance to work from home, it was the advice of the Director of Public Health that where possible, meetings should take place remotely rather than face-to-face.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed that meetings were continuing to be held face-to-face when they could reasonably be held remotely to minimise the risk of infection.

·         It was suggested that where government advice was that people should work from home where possible, it was reasonable for the council to follow that guidance in its approach to the conduct of meetings, subject to ongoing review.

·         Where such meetings were required to make decisions, then these would continue to meet on a face-to-face basis.

RESOLVED - That the forthcoming cycle of scrutiny committee meetings continue to be held on a remote basis, with a decision on the format for future meetings being subject to further and ongoing review by this scrutiny committee as a standing item on its agendas.