Agenda item

To consider and endorse the outline schedule of scrutiny work for the 2024-2025 municipal year.

The Governance Manager introduced the work programme report explaining the programme had contained an item to hold an Anti-Social Behaviour workshop. This item had been brought forward as a suggestion from previous commission members. This item had first been added to the work programme in July 2022 but further information on the scope of that item was not available. When asked none of the members present at the meeting knew what the scope for that proposed workshop was so it was agreed that it would be removed from the work programme.

The work programme had also included a proposed review of Green Spaces. This item was being considered within the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board’s (OSMB) work programme and as such had been removed from this commissions work programme. It was noted that the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had extended an invitation for a couple of members from this Commission to join the review.

The Vice-Chair provided an overview of the School Road Safety and Street Motion which had been agreed by Council on 29 November 2023. He stated the motion covered a few topics around road safety at schools. The last major change in road safety around schools in the Rotherham Borough was back in 2009, which resulted in the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders to enforce School Crossings and advisory 20 MPH speed limit signs that were fitted near schools more recently. Part of the review would be to consider how they were working, the enforcement methods and potential new methods using technology. Safety around Crossing Patrol Operatives was to be considered along with consideration of initiatives around school streets and travel plans.

The Governance Manager sought expressions of interest from members of the Commission to take part in this review. The following members put themselves forward:-

·              Councillor Baggaley

·              Councillor Beck

·              Councillor Thorp

·              Councillor Tinsley

·              Councillor Stables

The Governance Manager explained the Housing Allocations Policy was being refreshed and Councillor Allen, Cabinet Member for Housing, had asked for members of the Commission to attend a series of three or four workshops in the new year to review the proposed changes prior to its submission to Cabinet. The Chair clarified that he was involved with the initial workshops, which were currently taking place. The following members put themselves forward to take part in these workshops:-

·              Councillor Beresford

·              Councillor Thorp

The Governance Manager noted that the Commission had been asked to review the findings of the consultation conducted for the 2025-2028 Housing Strategy prior to the strategy’s final development. This workshop would also be conducted in the new year at a similar time as the Housing Allocations Policy was considered. The following members put themselves forward to be involved in this workshop:-

·              Councillor Beck

·              Councillor Beresford

·              Councillor Havard

·              Councillor Jackson

·              Councillor McKiernan

Councillor Beck welcomed that the Cabinet Member for Housing had sought scrutiny’s involvement with these items and hoped this could be replicated across other Cabinet Members portfolios.

Councillor Williams noted Councillor Jones’ previous comments regarding grass cutting and grounds maintenance and asked that Councillor Jones be involved in the Green Spaces review.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board explained he had written to all members of the Council seeking nominations for items to be scrutinised. As a result, items had been added to the relevant commissions work programmes.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the outline work programme as discussed and attached be noted.

(2)  That the proposed members named above take part in the reviews and workshops put forward for consideration at this meeting.