Agenda item

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

The Chair of the Improving Places Select Commission (IPSC) reported that the Commission had recently considered topics such as, the Bereavement Services Annual Report, Flooding Alleviation Update, Thriving Neighbourhoods Annual Report, an overview of the portfolio of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Safe and Clean Communities, Consideration of the outline plan of the planned trainline extension to Waverley and Parkgate (Mainline station proposal, considering any potential impacts, the tenant Scrutiny report: How Rotherham Council supports new tenants and the Climate Emergency Annual Report 2025.

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board would be conducting a spotlight review on Grass Cutting and Ground Maintenance, members of IPSC would be invited to join the review.

The initial scoping information for the School Road Safety working group was being sought and collated.  Similar work was being undertaken by officers within the Council so discussions were taking place to determine how this could be linked, to avoid duplication of work.

The workshop to review the findings of the consultation conducted for the 2025-2028 Housing Strategy prior to the strategy’s final development took place in December 2024 and the outcomes will feed into the Cabinet report when brought forward.

In relation to future work, the Commission was due to scrutinise the final progress report on the 2022-25 Housing Strategy, in June 2025, the Tenant Scrutiny Review on Tenancy Health Checks report, in July 2025 and the Consultation on the Housing Strategy for 2025-28 report, in July 2025.

The Vice-Chair of the Improving Lives Select Commission (ILSC) reported that at the most recent meeting, the Commission scrutinised the Rotherham Kinship Care Local Offer and an update from the Youth Justice Service. Recommendations were made on both updates. At the next meeting in April, the Commission would scrutinise an update on the progress of the Domestic Abuse Strategy.

The Commission were recently involved in an additional consultation engagement session with the Access to Education Team. The Team captured members feedback on the revision of the Elective Home Education Policy Review. The revised policy would be presented back to the Commission, before going to Cabinet.

The Commission had an additional workshop arranged to focus on the scrutiny of updates on the Prevent Programme and Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Work had begun to scope a potential review on “Trauma and Children Missing Education”, which had been proposed by a member of the Commission.

The Vice-Chair of the Health Select Commission reported that the Commission had recently scrutinised Sleep which was relevant to the People Are Safe, Healthy, And Live Well and Every Child Able to Fulfil Their Potential Council Plan Themes. The Commission had also scrutinised the Adult Social Care Commissioning, which was relevant to the People Are Safe, Healthy, And Live Well and Expanding Economic Opportunity Council Plan themes. The Rotherham Foundation Trust (TRFT) Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Centre Development and the 18 Week Waiting Time Challenge were both scrutinised and were relevant to the People Are Safe, Healthy, And Live Well and Expanding Economic Opportunity Council Plan themes.

Members of the Commission had received a copy of the Darzi Report and supporting resources ahead of the March meeting of the Commission, to aid consideration of TRFT’s items and to assist in developing the Commission’s work programme for the next municipal year.

At the next meeting in May, the Commission would scrutinise the Adult Mental Health Pathway. Immediately following meeting in May, a workshop would be held involving Yorkshire Cancer Alliance and the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, regarding the relocation of the Lung Clinic.

Evidence gathering in relation to the Access to Contraception workshop was on-going. Planning and preparation for the Quality Accounts was underway.