The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were noted from Councillor Lucy Stephenson, Mr Peter French and Mr Andreas Menzies.

To confirm the record of the meeting of the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 21^st September 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 21^st September 2023 were approved as an accurate record.

There are no actions arising from the previous meeting.

There were no actions arising from the previous meeting.

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this Agenda and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any petitions, deputations and questions received from Members of the Public in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rules 25 and 159.

The total time allowed for this item shall be 30 minutes.  Petitions, declarations and questions shall be dealt with in the order in which they are received.  Questions may also be submitted at short notice by giving a written copy to the Committee Administrator 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.

The total time allowed for questions at short notice is 15 minutes out of the total time of 30 minutes.  Any petitions, deputations and questions that have been submitted with prior formal notice will take precedence over questions submitted at short notice.  Any questions that are not considered within the time limit shall receive a written response after the meeting and be the subject of a report to the next meeting.

No petitions, deputations or questions were received.

To consider any questions with notice from Members received in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule No 161 and 162.

No questions with notice with notice were received from Members.

To consider any Notices of Motion from Members submitted in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule No 163.

No notices of motion were received from Members.

To consider any matter referred to the Committee for a decision in relation to call in of a decision in accordance with Procedure Rule 149.

No call-ins were received.

To receive an update on recommendations made by the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Details of the recommendation regarding the Transport Network Review Business Case & Post 16 Travel Options made and the response from Cabinet were noted.

To receive a presentation from Councillor Diane Ellison, Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health, Kim Sorsky, Strategic Director of Adult Services and Health, Debra Mitchell, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) and Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire & Rutland.

A presentation was received from Councillor Diane Ellison, Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health, Kim Sorsky, Strategic Director of Adult Services and Health, Debra Mitchell, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) and Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire & Rutland.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health thanked Scrutiny Members for their questions and reported that a copy of the questions plus responses would be distributed with the minutes.

The Strategic Director of Adult Services and Health introduced 4 additional slides to the committee which identified the good practice currently happening in Rutland – copy attached.

The Rutland Health and Wellbeing Board had updated their Terms of Reference to include the World Health Organisation’s definition of health – ‘A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer, LLR ICB informed attendees that an additional sub-group of the Health and Wellbeing Board had been established to improve the quality and distribution of communications to members of the public.

The role of the Health & Care Infrastructure Group was to look at the planned areas of housing/population growth within Rutland, review the implications on all health services including primary care e.g. GP practices and then align services to support the planned growth but, with limited capital funding and decreasing public funding, this was challenging.

Rutland currently had a sufficient number of GP’s and GP appointments to support its population but there was a national issue regarding the management of the public’s expectations on accessing primary care.

Primary care services had changed with the provision of other medical professionals e.g. Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Pharmacists, etc so that the public could access health services without the need for a GP appointment.

The LLR ICB Communications Officer and Rutland County Council’s Communications Team would be working in the future with GP practices within Rutland to help them improve their communications with residents regarding the different services available.

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Councillor Diane Ellison, Kim Sorsky, Debra Mitchell and Mike Sandys left the meeting at 7.47 p.m.

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To receive Report No. 170/2023 from Councillor A Johnson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources.

Report No. 170/2023 was received from Councillor Andrew Johnson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources, Angela Wakefield, Strategic Director of Law and Governance and Kevin Quinn, Head of Corporate Services.   During the discussion, the following points were noted:

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources thanked Scrutiny Members for their questions and reported that a copy of the questions plus responses would be distributed with the minutes.

The report demonstrated how realistic and transparent Rutland County Council was regarding its own performance.

Some Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were not currently available but would be as data recording improved but the overall aim was to provide a better service at a lower cost.

More affordable housing was needed in Rutland and the Council’s Housing Services team was investigating the possibility of renovating empty houses into habitable and affordable housing for Rutland residents.

There continued to be recruitment issues within the care services and other skilled or technical roles, but this was nationwide. 

All services were being provided to Rutland residents but where understaffed this was impacting on the welfare of the workforce.

RESOLVED

That the Committee:

NOTED the contents of the performance report and the progress in delivering the strategic aims within the Corporate Strategy 2022-2027 as set out in Report No. 167/2023.

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Kevin Quinn left the meeting at 8.17 p.m.

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To receive Report No. 171/2023 from Kirsty Nutton, Strategic Director of Resources.

Report No. 171/2023 was received from Councillor Andrew Johnson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources, Kirsty Nutton, Strategic Director of Resources and Andrew Merry, Finance Manager.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources thanked Scrutiny Members for their questions and reported that a copy of the questions plus responses would be distributed with the minutes.

The deficit balance on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) continued to be a national issue.  Mark Andrews, Chief Executive confirmed that the Council had to cover the deficit in 2025-26, as central government would not be providing additional funding and that work was ongoing with the Delivering Better Value in SEND programme to decrease this deficit.

The Strategic Director of Resources informed attendees that approximately £300k was expected in business rates from the creation of the Mallard Pass Solar Farm though the solar power industry was reviewing a standard approach to community benefit payments.

The Chief Executive confirmed that he would provide a progress update on the transformation initiatives in the next Members’ Briefing.

ACTION: Mark Andrews

It was confirmed that the risk of increased external audit fees had been included within the budget.

The Strategic Director of Resources stated that cash limits had been set for all managers, with the challenge of changing services for the better whilst decreasing costs so ensuring the sustainability of Rutland County Council.

RESOLVED

That the Committee:

NOTED the contents of the 2023-2024 Quarter 2 Revenue and Capital Forecast report as set out in Report No. 168/2023.

To consider the current Forward Plan and identify any relevant items for inclusion in the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Work Plan or to request further information.

The Forward Plan is available on the website at: https://rutlandcounty.moderngov.co.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=133&RD=0

The work plan and the list of proposed items were reviewed.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

Asset Review

The Chief Executive informed attendees that the report on the Asset Review Business Cases had been delayed as up-to-date figures were being collated and the business cases reviewed.  The data was expected in January 2024 when the report would be finalised and then presented to Cabinet.  It was agreed that Councillor Rosemary Powell, Chair of the Asset Review Task and Finish Group would arrange a meeting for the Chief Executive to update the Task and Finish Group on the current situation and possibly identify any actions for the group moving forward.

ACTION: Councillor Rosemary Powell

Levelling Up Fund (LUF)

The Chief Executive confirmed that the process for the LUF was on track and that he would ask Councillor Gale Waller, Leader of the Council to send an update briefing to all Councillors.

ACTION: Mark Andrews

To receive any items of urgent business, which have been previously notified to the person presiding.

There was no urgent business.

Thursday, 25^th January 2024 at 7 pm in the Council Chamber, Catmose, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6HP.

Thursday, 25th January 2024 at 7.00 p.m.