RESOLVED: that the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 31 January 2023 be approved and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for non-attendance were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bond, Hopkins, Jackson, Nelson, Spruce and K Williams.

Councillor Allen declared an interest in item 5: Closed Churchyards Revision of Special Expense Decision and left the chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Harrison on behalf of himself and Councillor Dufty, for transparency, made reference to their pre-election campaign position with regard to Item 5.  This did not constitute an interest and therefore they could continue to take part.

The Committee received a report from the Corporate Director - Chief Operating Officer providing a combined update as of 31 March 2023 (Quarter 4 of 2022-23) and 2022-23 outturn on performance, finance and risk including performance against delivery of the Council’s Plan 2020-24.

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the Quarter 4 Integrated Performance Management Report (IPM).

The Committee received a report from Councillor K Perry MBE, Cabinet Member for Community Services setting out her proposal for a revised approach to financing necessary work within closed churchyards.

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the proposed decision set out in the Cabinet Member’s report regarding the revision to the 2019 decision made on this matter and that the Cabinet Member will take on board the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee when reaching her final decision.

The Committee received a report of the Assistant Director Enterprise and Growth providing an update on activities relating to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Rural England Prosperity Fund.

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the content of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund and the progress made to date.

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Policy Manager presenting the Place Narrative 2023 which will be used for consultation and engagement with a range of stakeholders including communities to shape the next Council Plan to be published in 2024.

 RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the Place Narrative.

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Governance proposing topics for Member Working Groups 2023-24. 

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed proposed topics 1 and 2 for examination by the Member Working Groups for the current municipal year; with climate change being proposed for a third working group.

The Committee received the report of the Corporate Director of Governance setting out the work programme for the Committee for the municipal year 2023-24.

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee agree the work programme for the municipal year 2023-24. 

The Committee received the report of the Challenge Panel Chairman and Vice Chairman providing an overview of the outcomes of the final round of Challenge Panels concluding in 2023.

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the outcomes of the Challenge Panels.