Agenda and draft minutes

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 13 January 2025 and to approve them as a true and correct record of the proceedings and to be signed by the Chair.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 13 January 2026 be approved as a true record.

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

No questions were received.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

There were no reasons to exclude the press or public.

Report from the Executive Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the high level of satisfaction with the baby packs, particularly in relation to the quality and usefulness of the items provided.

2.    Approve an open procurement exercise to ensure continuity of registering and delivery of baby packs to Rotherham families.

At the Chair’s invitation, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Cusworth, introduced the item on the Baby Packs Initiative, noting that she and Councillor Baker?Rogers, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, had worked closely on the programme due to the overlap in their portfolios. She explained that the initiative aimed to support new parents and aligned with the Council’s commitment to giving every child in Rotherham the best start in life.

She stated that the scrutiny session provided an opportunity to review the programme’s impact, its value to families and areas where delivery could be strengthened. The report outlined how effectively Baby Packs were reaching families, levels of take?up, early outcomes, alignment with wider early years and prevention priorities, and any risks or opportunities for improvement ahead of future commissioning.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People reported that early indicators showed stronger engagement with services among families receiving the packs. Midwives and health visitors had noted increased attendance at follow?up appointments and greater involvement in family health conversations. Parents also reported increased confidence in the early days at home, particularly around safe sleep practices. Evaluation measures included practitioner feedback, behaviour?change indicators and engagement data, with plans to strengthen the framework as the programme matured.

The report also highlighted positive feedback from families on the value of the packs. Councillor Cusworth confirmed that Cabinet would be asked to note the high levels of satisfaction and to approve an open procurement exercise to ensure continuity in registering and delivering Baby Packs to Rotherham families.

The Service Director of Strategic Commissioning, Scott Matthewman, noted that Councillor Cusworth had already outlined the recommendations due to go to Cabinet the following week. He stated that the scheme had been highly successful over its first two years, both in terms of its universal approach and the positive impact reported by expectant mothers and newborn families in the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health stated that she was extremely proud of the town for establishing the Baby Packs scheme, noting its success to date. Over 2,000 families had registered, and all had received their packs, with feedback consistently positive. She thanked Councillor Cusworth for her work on the initiative and said she looked forward to the item progressing to Cabinet the following week.

The Chair invited members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) to raise questions and queries.

Councillor Blackham expressed concern that the scheme was not targeted, stating his view that this risked wasting money, as people would naturally take up a free offer regardless of need. He believed the initiative should be more focused on those who would benefit most. He queried the financial figures in the report, noting references to £410,000 per year and an additional £50,000 in the budget, and asked whether the total cost was £410,000 or £460,000 annually. He questioned whether the level of spend, approximately £1.5 million  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

Report from the Executive Director of Corporate Services.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the Inclusion Strategy 2026-30.

2.    Approve the action plan for February 2026 to March 2027.

3.    Note the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report 2024-2025.

The Chair invited The Cabinet Member for Finance and Community Safety, Councillor Alam OBE, to introduce the report.  The Cabinet Member for Finance and Community Safety explained that the new statutory plan replaced the Council’s 2022–2025 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy. Although the title had been simplified, the strategy still covered a wide range of equality, diversity, inclusion and Public Sector Equality Duty responsibilities.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Community Safety reported that the plan set out how the Council would continue to listen to local people, understand their priorities, ensure services were accessible, and address disadvantage. The plan aligned with the Council’s vision of valuing decency and dignity, creating opportunity for all, and ensuring no one was left behind. It also linked strongly to the Council’s inclusive economy work, including supporting people into employment and maximising the positive impact of local spending.

Consultation had been carried out online and through 12 focus groups with external organisations representing a range of protected groups, as well as internal staff networks. Feedback indicated that while people sometimes felt listened to, they wanted more engagement and were positive about co?production. Concerns about feeling unsafe were frequently raised, consistent with feedback from the 2024 Council Plan consultation. Experiences of accessing services were inconsistent, and many participants preferred face?to?face interaction rather than digital engagement. A full consultation report was provided in Appendix 4.

It was noted that the themes emerging from the consultation reflected those identified during Doncaster Council’s informal peer review, such as the need to further embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all service areas. Consultation findings had shaped the strategy’s themes: Working Together, Responsive Services, Welcoming Places and Employer of Choice.

The introduction highlighted that extensive good work was already taking place across the Council to support people at risk of exclusion. The plan also described what excellent practice would look like, based on the Local Government Equality Framework. Examples were given of current activity, including strong Ofsted feedback on work with young people, engagement with older residents and with communities from Black and minority ethnic and faith backgrounds. A key area for improvement was demonstrating how services were reshaped in response to resident feedback, including closing the feedback loop.

Under the Welcoming Places theme, the Council aimed to ensure communities felt safe and supported. Under Employer of Choice, the focus was on ensuring the workforce reflected the borough’s diverse communities and that employment opportunities were accessible to people with disabilities and those less likely to access Council roles.

An action plan was included to support delivery through the Council’s governance arrangements. The annual report was also provided for information.

The Chair invited members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) to raise questions and queries.

Councillor McKiernan asked about the section on page 99 relating to consultations. He noted that the report suggested there was fragmentation across Council services in how public consultations were carried out. He queried whether there were plans to establish a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

To consider the report which summarises the findings and recommendations of the Health Select Commission review into access to contraception.

At the Chair’s invitation the Chair of the Health Select Commission, Councillor Keenan, reported that her first role in health had been in sexual health and that she had long championed good sexual health. She presented the Health Select Commission’s Scrutiny Review report on Access To Contraception.

The review had been prioritised due to concerns about inconsistent availability of long?acting reversible contraception in GP practices, alongside wider issues around access to contraceptive advice and sexual health services.

Throughout 2025, a cross?party working group gathered evidence from GP surgeries, Public Health, Adult Strategic Commissioning, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, the Integrated Care Board, HealthWatch, MESMAC and others. The group carried out a site visit, undertook online research, analysed local data and reviewed practice in neighbouring areas and elsewhere in the UK.

The Chair thanked officers, particularly Kerry Grinsill?Clinton, and members for their active contribution. The review recognised that improving access to contraception required more than service availability; it was fundamental to informed choice, improved sexual health outcomes, reduced unplanned pregnancies and equitable, stigma?free access for residents of all ages.

Findings indicated that, although provision was generally strong, significant barriers remained, including variation in GP cover, limited male contraception options, stigma, difficulties accessing the hospital?based clinic, a fragmented digital offer and the impact of online misinformation. These issues affected residents’ ability to make informed choices and reflected wider trends such as rising termination rates and inequalities in sexual health outcomes.

The Commission proposed targeted recommendations, including exploring mobile outreach clinics, integrating contraception within the town centre health hub, improving digital information, strengthening public health messaging and enhancing support for young people through clearer confidentiality guidance and more consistent education. Longer?term ambitions included stronger collaboration across primary care networks, appointing sexual health champions in every GP practice, expanding free condom access in community settings and improving data use for commissioning and prevention.

The Health Select Commission endorsed the report on 22 January 2026 and invited OSMB to support its submission to Cabinet for consideration and response. The Chair thanked all contributors and noted that the officer, Kerry Grinsill-Clinton, was available to answer questions.

The Governance Advisor, Kerry Grinsill-Clinton, seconded Councillor Keenan’s remarks and to offered sincere thanks for the significant engagement and participation from internal and external partners in supporting the review.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Baker-Rogers, thanked Councillor Keenan for the work undertaken and confirmed her support for the report’s progression to Cabinet for consideration. She added that she looked forward to supporting the work further once the outcome was known.

Councillor Cuworth, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, placed on record her thanks to Councillor Keenan, the Commission and the working group for what she described as an excellent piece of scrutiny. She noted the importance of the work and expressed her appreciation for the effort that had gone into the review.

The Chair, Councillor Steele, noted that the report had reached this stage as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

To consider the Board’s Work Programme.

The Governance Manager provided a brief update in addition to the information contained in the report pack. Members were informed that the OSMB Bye?laws and Life?Saving Equipment Review Group meeting had been scheduled for 24 February at 2.00 pm, and details had been circulated to all members of the review group. She explained that the session would allow for further discussion on the information and comments raised to date.

Resolved: That the Work Programme be approved.

To receive updates from the Chairs of the Select Commission on work undertaken and planned for the future:

·       Health Select Commission

·       Improving Lives Select Commission

·       Improving Places Select Commission

Update from Health Select Commission:

This update was noted as presented within the agenda pack.

Update from Improving Lives Select Commission:

Councillor Harper reported on activity since the previous meeting.
The Commission met on 2 December and considered the Fostering Transformation Programme, including work within Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) and the Prevention of Future Deaths processes. This included discussion of the tragic death of Marcia Grant and the Council’s response.

Members had also received the Rotherham Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Annual Assurance Report 2024–25, which outlined key partnership activity during the year.

Regarding the 2025–26 work programme, updates included:

• An item on the Threshold of Need, forming part of the Looked After Children and Care Leavers Sufficiency Strategy.
• A workshop and visit to the Rotherham Parent Carers Forum at the Eric Manns Building had been scheduled for 29 January. Councillor Harper was unable to attend due to commitments at a Police and Crime Panel meeting.
• The PAUSE Project session, focusing on support for women who have experienced multiple child removals, was scheduled for 2 March.
• A Children’s Capital of Culture workshop was scheduled for 21 April, considering legacy impacts.
• On the Trauma and Children Missing Education scrutiny review, a questionnaire had been issued to all secondary schools to gather feedback on the impact of trauma on children missing education.

Items scheduled for future meetings included:

• Ofsted inspection outcomes,
• Educational attainment update,
• Corporate Parenting Partnership Board updates,
• Community cohesion projects,
• Together for Tomorrow project updates,
• Children not in education,
• The SACRE annual report,
• Safeguarding children from radicalisation,
• Keeping children safe in education, and
• A child exploitation strategy update.

No questions were raised for Cllr Harper.

Update from Improving Places Select Commission:

Councillor McKiernan provided an update on recent meetings reporting that the Commission had considered the Annual Bereavement Services Report, noting subsequent news of significant price increases which had caused concern among members, although this was outside the Council’s control.

At the most recent meeting, members received a Flood Alleviation Update, which outlined proposed interventions in areas at risk. Some schemes remained unfunded, which was disappointing. The Commission also considered updates on Thriving Neighbourhoods, and members hoped to contribute to the development of the refreshed strategy, including through pre?policy workshops.

The School Road Safety Review remained ongoing, with further workshops planned ahead of finalising the review.

The Anti?Social Behaviour workshop, held with Housing Services, had been productive, though attendance was lower than expected. The Commission felt the content should be shared more widely with all councillors due to its relevance.

A Markets and Libraries site visit was scheduled for the following week.

At the next meeting, the Commission would receive an overview of borough?wide events delivered over the past 12 months, including, but not limited to, Children’s Capital of Culture activity.

No further questions were raised for Cllr McKiernan.

To review and identify items for pre-decision scrutiny from the Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Link to: Browse plans - Forward Plan of Key Decisions, 2025 - Rotherham Council

The Board considered the Forward Plan of Key Decisions February 2026 to April 2026.

The Chair noted that two items currently appeared on the work programme schedule: the Climate Engagement Annual Report and the Modern Slavery Transparency Statement annual refresh. He questioned whether both items needed to return to scrutiny every year and invited views from the committee. He commented that, in his personal view, an annual scrutiny cycle for these items might not be necessary.

The Governance Manager outlined the forward plan items scheduled for March across service areas:

• Adult Care, Housing and Public Health
  • Housing Capital Programme 2026–27 to 2029–30
  • Public Health Grant 2026–27

• Children’s Services
  • Best Start Plan 2026–29
  • Family Hubs Progress Update and Extension
  • South Yorkshire Regional Adoption Agency – seeking approval to enter a new regional agreement with Barnsley, Doncaster and Sheffield to deliver adoption services.

• Corporate Services
  • Community Governance Review

• Policy, Strategy and Engagement
  • Local Growth Fund 2026–27 allocation
  • Crisis and Resilience Fund

• Regeneration and Environment
  • Transport Capital Programme 2026–27
  • Climate Emergency Annual Report

She also highlighted the non?key decisions scheduled for March:

• Children’s Services
  • Family First Partnership Programme (recently referred to Cabinet)
  • Scrutiny review findings and recommendations – Access to Contraception Review

• Regeneration and Environment
  • Modern Slavery Transparency Statement Annual Refresh

These items were presented for members’ consideration as part of the forward plan.

Councillor Allen noted that the Climate Emergency Annual Report had been scheduled for the meeting but had been withdrawn. She asked for reassurance that it would be available for consideration in March. She also commented that she would welcome scrutiny of the Transport Capital Programme, as it would be a substantial item of interest for the Commission.

In response, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Climate Emergency report was almost fully drafted and required only minor adjustments; he expected it to be ready for the March meeting.

The Chair then requested further detail on the Community Governance Review. The Monitoring Officer explained that best practice recommended that an authority conduct such a review every 10 - 15 years. The review covered the boundaries and governance arrangements of parish and town councils across the borough. The Chair confirmed that the Community Governance Review could be added to the agenda.

He asked members whether they wished to include the Modern Slavery Transparency Statement Refresh. Members indicated they were willing to remove it from the work programme on the understanding it would be scrutinised upon any significant changes.

Councillor Baggaley queried whether the Best Start Plan 2026–29 should come to this Commission for scrutiny before being approved, given its long-term scope. It was suggested that the Improving Lives Select Commission might be more appropriate to consider the item, but if that was not possible, it could be brought to this Commission instead. Governance agreed to liaise with the Improving Lives Commission to determine the best route.

Resolved: That the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board:

1. Agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

As part of their role the Chair and Vice Chair of OSMB are appointed to the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Chair of OSMB is the Vice Chair on this committee.  

This committee holds the MCA to account and ensure that all aspects of the decision-making process are transparent, inclusive and fair.   The Committee are responsible for checking that the MCA is delivering its objectives and that the decisions made in policies, strategies and plans have been made in the best interests of the residents and workers of South Yorkshire.

The published agenda packs and minutes can be accessed via: South Yorkshire MCA.

Members who have comments and queries regarding any item on any agenda should refer this to the Chair of OSMB and the Governance Manager at the earliest opportunity to ensure they’re reflected in debate during the relevant public meeting.

The Chair reported that there was no substantial update from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The main item considered at the previous month’s meeting had been the specification for the new buses as part of the franchise arrangements. This was well received by the Committee.

To consider any issues referred for call-in from recent Cabinet meetings.

There were no call-in issues.

To determine any item which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.