Agenda item

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Councillor Allen noted that the Climate Emergency Annual Report had been scheduled for the meeting but had been withdrawn.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 that the following items would be added to the March agenda as part of OSMB’s pre-decision scrutiny work:

·       Climate Emergency Annual Report – Pre-decision Scrutiny

·       Transport Capital Programme 2026/27 – Pre-decision Scrutiny

·       Community Governance Review – Pre-decision Scrutiny

·       Best Start Plan 2026- 2029 – Pre-decision Scrutiny

2. Agreed that the Modern Slavery Transparency Statement – Annual Refresh would cease to be presented on an annual basis and would instead be brought forward only when significant changes to the Statement occur.