Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted that Councillors Greenhalgh and Lambert were in attendance as a permanent replacement for Councillors Letts and Rayment in accordance with Procedure Rule 4.3. 

It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignations of Councillors S Galton and Moulton from the Committee, the Director of Legal, Governance and HR, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillors Houghton and Fitzhenry to replace them for the purposes of this meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Dr Paffey and Appointed Member Rob Sanders.

To elect the Vice Chair for the Municipal Year 2023/24.  

The Committee noted that Councillor Moulton had been nominated for the role of Vice Chair for the Municipal Year 2023/24, however the election could not be confirmed as Councillor Moulton was not in attendance.

RESOLVED that the election of Vice Chair for the Municipal Year 2023/24 would be deferred to the next meeting.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 13 July 2023 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Committee meeting on 13 July 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the report of the Scrutiny Manager which recommended that the Committee discussed the information contained within the appended briefing paper and, subject to agreement, provided feedback to the consultation process to be considered by the Executive when reaching a decision on the future of Holcroft House.

Councillor Fielker, Cabinet Member for Health, Adults and Housing; Mike Harris, Chief Executive; and Claire Edgar, Executive Director Wellbeing and Housing; were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED

1)  That the Administration ensures that:

a.  the consultation on the future of Holcroft House is promoted via the normal channels utilised by the Council.

b.  the consultation is reviewed to ensure that the options are clear.

2)  That the Committee are provided with an overview of the provider market in Southampton and the surrounding area for residents with dementia requiring residential care.

3)  That the decision making report on the future of Holcroft House, that will be considered by Cabinet and the OSMC in September, includes detailed feedback on the outcomes from the consultation process, as well as the financial implications of the alternative options considered and rejected.

4)  That, reflecting the complexities relating to the financial implications of the available options, the Finance Business Partner for Adult Social Care is invited to attend the 14 September meeting of the OSMC.

The Committee considered the report of the Leader and Chief Executive which provided the Committee with an overview of the Council’s performance up to the end of June 2023.

Councillor Fielker, Deputy Leader; Mike Harris, Chief Executive; and

Dan King, Service Lead - Intelligence and Strategic Analysis; were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED that all 51 elected members would be given access to the Council’s Performance Report.

The Committee considered the report of the Scrutiny Manager which enabled the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to examine the content of the Forward Plan and to discuss issues of interest or concern with the Executive.

REVENUE AND CAPITAL FINANCIAL MONITORING

The Committee considered the briefing papers attached to this item detailing the forthcoming Cabinet Decisions regarding the Revenue and Capital Financial Monitoring for the period to the end of June 2023.

Councillor Letts, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change; Mike Harris, Chief Executive; Mel Creighton, Executive Director of Resources; and Keith Petty, Senior Finance Business Officer were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED: that on consideration of the briefing paper relating to the forthcoming Cabinet Decisions on Revenue and Capital Financial Monitoring for the period to the end of June 2023, the Committee recommended that an overview of the outcomes from the Council’s voluntary redundancy scheme would be circulated to the Committee when available.

The Committee considered the report of the Scrutiny Manager which asked that the Committee considered the shortlisted subjects and identified a preferred topic for the 2023/24 inquiry.

Councillor Windle was present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.  Councillors Bunday, Barbour, Bogle, and Wood had provided written information in support of suggested subjects which were shared at the meeting.

RESOLVED that after consideration of the shortlisted subjects, as set out in paragraph 8 of the report, the Committee concluded that, whilst all the topics were important the scrutiny inquiry for 2023/24 would be an investigation into a better deal for private sector renters in Southampton.  The Committee requested that the Scrutiny Manager bring forward terms of reference for the inquiry at the September meeting.

The Committee noted the report of the Scrutiny Manager which enabled the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to monitor and track progress on recommendations made to the Executive at previous meetings.