Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Ruff, R Welton and P Wright.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no interests declared at this meeting.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Organisation Scrutiny Committee held on 31 August 2021.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Organisation Scrutiny Committee held on the 31 August 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Discussion with Monitoring Officer

Committee heard that the Whistleblowing Policy was reviewed on an annual basis by the Standards Committee. A copy of the existing policy was available to Members, and if the Committee had any comments they could be incorporated into the next Standards Review.

Members discussed whether the policy should be more greatly publicised so that officers were aware of the Whistleblowing process.

There had not been a report on the Whistleblowing Policy since 2015/16.

The Joint Head of Corporate Governance & Monitoring Officer informed Committee that she would send out the policy and attend the next meeting of the Committee if Members had any further questions.

Members were informed that she believed there to be a good culture at the Council and that people felt able to raise concerns. She did not believe that statutory protection was required.

Committee requested that the Whistleblowing Policy be raised at meetings of the Joint Consultative Group as part of publicising the review.

·             Approval of Project Plan

·             Approval of Timetable for the Review

·             Documentation

Committee considered the Draft Project Plan and Timetable.

Members had a wide ranging discussion on the Scrutiny Review topic and the importance of gathering good evidence to inform the Review.

Committee discussed speaking to a wide variety of people such as Members, Council organisations, residents at venues such as luncheon clubs, a citizens’ panel, and Parish Councils.

Committee recognised the need for complete basic IT training and support for Members.

Members recognised the importance of considering equalities and those with additional needs.

To consider the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions.  The most up-to-date Forward Plan of Executive Decisions can be accessed via the following link:

https://democracy.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=1137&RD=0&bcr=1

RESOLVED – That the forward plan of Executive Decisions be noted.

To consider the Work Programme for the Organisation Scrutiny Committee 2021/22 and review the proposed workload.

Members requested to speak with three individuals that the Council was sponsoring to complete an NBA as this was a large investment for the Council.

RESOLVED – That the Organisation Scrutiny Committee Work Programme be noted.

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items discussed at the meeting.

The next meeting of the Organisation Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 7 December 2021 at 10.00 am. 

The next meeting of the Organisation Scrutiny Committee will be held on 7 December 2021 at 10am.

The Chair to move:-

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2, Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006). 

RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2, Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

Discussion with Officer

Committee had a discussion with an Officer around Ethics and Culture at the Council.