Agenda item

To consider the Board’s Work Programme and any updates provided including:

·       OSMB Scrutiny Review - The Council's Consultation Process initial briefing paper

·       OSMB Scrutiny Review - Protecting Children, Supporting Honest Businesses and Cracking Down on Illicit Vapes, Tobacco and Underage Sales initial briefing paper

The Chair invited the Governance Manager to introduce the Board’s work programme, which included a proposed review of the Council’s consultation processes. It was noted that Members had agreed at a prioritisation meeting that this topic should be included in the scrutiny work programme. The proposed scope of the review was outlined, including consideration of how consultations were planned, managed and governed, the use of consultation tools and guidance, and quality assurance arrangements.

It was noted that the review would examine how consultations were made accessible and inclusive, particularly for underrepresented groups, and how feedback was analysed, communicated and used to inform future decision-making. Councillor Steele was proposed as Chair of the review group, and all Scrutiny Commission Members would be invited to participate. The proposed scope was agreed.

The Governance Manager introduced a proposed joint scrutiny review titled “Protecting Children, Supporting Honest Businesses and Cracking Down on Illicit Vapes, Tobacco and Underage Sales”. It was noted that the review had arisen from a Notice of Motion approved by Council on 15 July 2026 concerning the sale of illicit tobacco, counterfeit cigarettes, illegal vaping products and underage sales. Concerns had been raised regarding the increasing availability of such products within local communities and the impact on residents, legitimate businesses and public safety.

The proposed scope of the review, which reflected the terms of the approved motion, was outlined. It was noted that the review would be undertaken jointly by Members of OSMB, the Health Select Commission and the Improving Lives Select Commission. Given the joint nature of the review, Councillor Bacon was proposed as Chair, and a minimum of two Members from each of the three commissions would be invited to participate. The proposed scope was agreed.

The Governance Manager provided an update on the Notice of Motion titled “Stop Polluting Our Rivers and Hiking Our Bills”, which had been approved by Council on 15 July 2026. It was noted that the motion requested OSMB to invite representatives from Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent to attend a special meeting to answer questions from councillors and members of the public regarding infrastructure improvements and the reduction of sewerage discharges in Rotherham. Members were advised that invitations had been issued to both organisations, outlining the motion and requesting their availability for a future meeting.

The Chair advised that the format of the meeting had also been discussed. It was proposed that all elected Members would be invited to submit questions in advance to help shape the discussion and support the development of clear recommendations. The meeting would be open to all Members, including Cabinet Members, although responsibility for any recommendations arising from the meeting would remain with OSMB. The proposed approach was supported by members of OSMB.

An update was provided on the Children’s Takeover Challenge, noting that while the event had been scheduled for 7 October 2026, preparatory work with the Youth Cabinet on lines of enquiry and potential recommendations was still ongoing. To ensure participants were able to gain maximum value from the process, it had been proposed that the event be deferred for a short period. Members noted the revised timescales.

Councillor Yasseen raised concerns about the scrutiny prioritisation process, suggesting that motions and petitions already debated and approved by Full Council should proceed directly to the relevant scrutiny body without being subject to further prioritisation. It was argued that additional prioritisation could risk delaying or altering the intent of decisions made by Full Council.

Councillor Steele explained that the prioritisation process was intended to assess additional scrutiny topics proposed by Members and ensure resources were used effectively, rather than to prevent agreed motions from progressing. It was noted that matters referred by Full Council formed part of the scrutiny work programme and had been treated as priorities, with the lighting columns review cited as an example.

In response, Councillor Yasseen acknowledged that approved motions had so far been progressed appropriately but suggested that safeguards should remain in place to ensure such matters could not be deprioritised in future.

Councillor Steele assured Members that motions approved by Full Council would continue to be progressed through the scrutiny process in accordance with established democratic procedures and would not be prevented from being implemented.

Resolved that: the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board:

1.    Agreed the draft scope for the OSMB Scrutiny Review - The Council's Consultation Process and appointed Councillor Steele as Chair of the review group.

2.    Agreed the draft scope for the OSMB Scrutiny Review - Protecting Children, Supporting Honest Businesses and Cracking Down on Illicit Vapes, Tobacco and Underage Sales and appointed Councillor Bacon as the Chair of the review group.

3.    Noted the updates provided on the work programme.