The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Apologies were received from Councillor Carr and Councillor Powell but Councillor Harvey attended as Councillor Powell’s representative.  Apologies were also received from Peter French and Andreas Menzies, the Education Representatives and Councillor Ellison, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health.

To confirm the record of the meeting of the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23^rd November 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 23rd November 2023 were approved as an accurate record.

The Chair noted for the record that Scrutiny Committee members had submitted written questions at the last meeting regarding Agenda Item 10 -Plan of Health Responsibilities and Key Decisions and that the questions and the responses to those questions had been published with the minutes of the meeting.  

No response had been received regarding the question stated in the third point of Question 3 – Where can Councillors find copies of (the Rutland Strategic Health Development Board’s) reports since May 2022?  The Chair informed attendees that the Scrutiny Officer had contacted the relevant officers for a response and that the Q&A document would be updated accordingly and re-published.

To review and update the actions arising from the previous meeting.

Action 1

2023/24 QUARTER 2 - REVENUE AND CAPITAL FORECAST REPORT

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

The Chief Executive confirmed that a progress update on the transformation initiatives had been included in the December Members’ Briefing.

Action 2

Asset Review

Councillor Rosemary Powell, Chair of the Asset Review Task and Finish Group to 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.

Councillor Payne reported that a meeting had been held on the 4^th January but that no actions could be identified at that time.  It had been agreed to review the situation at the end of February regarding how the group could assist the Asset Review.

Action 3

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.

The Chief Executive confirmed that an update had been produced and would be distributed week commencing the 29^th January 2024.

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 Report No. 16/2024 from the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources.

Report No. 16/2024 was received from Councillor Andrew Johnson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance and Resources.  During the conversation, the following points were noted:

·       Scrutiny Committee members had submitted a number of detailed questions regarding the budget plan and the MTFS.  Details of the questions plus the received responses would be published with the minutes – copy attached.

·       Councillor Waller, Leader of the Council stated that, following the announcement from central government regarding an extra £600 million funding for councils, further investigation was required by officers to understand the full implications of the funding.

·       Costs involving a Section 19 inspection (under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010) and the provision of flooding expertise would be covered by the £46k (Page 63, Places - PP011).

·       The budget included statements regarding factors that might ‘influence’ the figures stated within the report e.g. ‘colder winters and more severe frosts’ (Page 88, Highways – 4^th bullet point).

·       Paragraph 5.1 (Page 180, Investment Policy – Management of Risk) detailed the assumptions regarding grants/monies to be received and   explained why funding was noted as increasing from £7,067K in 2024/25 to £9,618K in 2025/26 (Page 61, Total Budgets - General Grants).

·       The new Integrated Budget Plan had and would continue to involve all Directors and Heads of Service in the budget setting process to help achieve the savings identified (Page 30, Strategic Financial Approach).

·       Each saving proposal had been RAG (Red, Amber, Green) rated to show the level of ‘influence’ on the savings identified over the next four years. (Pages 65-67).

·       Work would continue to move towards a more digitally expert Council in the provision of online services as Rutland’s population changed and became more IT proficient.

·       The Leader of the Council confirmed that the Council had a statutory responsibility regarding children/young people with a special educational need and disability (SEND) but needed to ensure that it was providing a correct and cost-effective service that was beneficial to service users.  Work at Uppingham Community College, Edith Weston Academy and Oakham Primary School would result in fewer children attending out-of-county education so reducing the costs involved in the provision of SEND transport.

·       The Strategic Director of Children and Families confirmed that the savings identified (Page 66, Places – PS012) included other SEND factors.  These related to the 3 interlinked and interdependent programmes which contributed to the overall costings for SEND provision and so the decrease in SEND transport costs:

1. SEND Change Programme – dealt with the long-term future of SEND provision nationally and locally.
2. Delivering Better Value (DBV) Programme – aimed to decrease the deficit of the High Needs Block funding.
3. SEND Capital Programme – provided investment in alternative provision in Rutland that met individual needs whilst providing a uniform offer. 

·       The Chief Executive confirmed that the £1.2 million LUF funding was to be used to improve all services at the Rutland Memorial Hospital (RMH) site.  The original business case for an enhanced procedure suite at the RMH site had been reviewed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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:

·       At the Special Council meeting held on the 16th January, Council had agreed to request that the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee help investigate the flooding issues recently experienced by the Rutland community.  The Committee, guided by the Council’s debate, would assist the investigation and make recommendations to Cabinet and Council regarding the role of Council as Local Lead Flood Authority.  The Chair confirmed that the matter stood up to the PAPER test as it was a matter of public interest, affected a number of Rutland residents and that the Scrutiny Committee would have the ability to have an impact on the issue.

RESOLVED

That the Committee:

a)    AGREED to the Council’s request for the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee to assist in the investigation of the flooding issues.

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

There was no urgent business.

Thursday, 21^st March 2024 at 7 pm in the Council Chamber, Catmose, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6HP.

Thursday, 8^th February 2024 at 7.00 p.m.