Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Christine Smith.

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.

There were no declarations of interest. 

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Services Scrutiny Committee held on 25 November 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Services Scrutiny Committee held on 25 November 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair.

Council Plan Targets Performance Update.

Kath Drury, Information & Improvement Manager/Amar Bashir, Improvement Officer

The Improvement Officer introduced the report, which set out a summary of the progress made towards the strategies underpinning the Council Plan objective ‘A great place to access good public services’ for the period ending 31 December 2025.

The Committee was updated on progress under the following two strategies – Assist and influence other public partners to improve their services in the District and continually improve Council services to deliver excellence and value for money. Underneath there two strategies sat various tactics, which were the Council’s approaches to positively influence the strategies.

The update for this quarter included targeted support for residents, delivery of Healthy NED initiatives, award of three Community Grants, improvements to the Planning service including a paid pre?application service, opening of a new 3G pitch at Clay Cross, ICT infrastructure upgrades, and progress against the BSL Charter including a residents’ survey video. Overall performance was reported as mostly green, with services meeting or exceeding targets.

It was noted that temporary accommodation numbers had increased slightly to eight households over the Christmas period, including one B&B placement due to safeguarding issues.  An auction scheduled for February was expected to realise approximately £0.5m in capital receipts. Clarification was sought on debt recovery activity and capital receipts, with officers confirming that further information could be shared. It was noted that the complaints target had been narrowly missed by approximately 1%, with officers agreeing to provide further detail.

RESOLVED – That progress against the Council Plan ‘A great place to access good public services’ objective, be noted.

To receive the financial outturn for 2025/26 – Quarter 3

Jayne Dethick, Director of Finance & Resources and S151 Officer / Justine Wells, Corporate Finance Manager

The Corporate Finance Manager presented the report which set out the budget position for the third quarter of 2025/26. This would then be presented to Cabinet on 26 February 2026.

It was reported that the General Fund was underspent by £751,000, largely due to savings against the pay budget, and there had been a small overspend on mailing costs and income was performing higher than forecast. Within the HRA, a small number of variances were highlighted, included higher than planned voids, which Rykneld were working alongside contractors to address turnaround times.

Capital expenditure variances were noted, primarily relating to the Clay Cross town centre regeneration scheme, with officers confirming that Derbyshire County Council’s decision not to relocate the library may have financial implications; however, the project remained within the programme.

Council house void levels were discussed, with officers explaining that voids had been forecast at 2% but were actually currently around 2.7% due to increased notices and contractor changes. The Committee discussed the work undertaken to void properties, including refitting kitchens and bathrooms, and the impact of tenants refusing any upgrades or repairs during a tenancy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To inform Committee of recent and forthcoming Cabinet business.

A digest of Cabinet decisions taken since May 2025.  This information is published by Cabinet meeting on the Council’s website.  Cabinet Agendas, Decisions and Minutes can be viewed at: Cabinet

The Forward Plan of Executive decisions.

Plans

These plans are updated to include new business.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented a digest of Cabinet decisions taken since the last Committee meeting in November 2025. The digest set out key information for each decision.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer also presented the Committee with the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions for the period up to 15 February 2026.

Councillor R Shipman requested further details of the forthcoming Cabinet item – Management of Corporate Debt – Write Off of Outstanding Amounts. It was stated that this could be presented to the Committee in future, but it would have to be dealt with as an exempt item.

RESOLVED – That the updated be noted.

To contribute to major Policies being considered by the Council.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer informed the Committee that changes to Taxi Licensing policies were on the horizon and would be presented to the Committee in due course.

RESOLVED – that the update be noted.

To consider the Committee’s Work Programme.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented the current work programme and highlighted any changes that had been made.

RESOLVED – That the work programme be noted.

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

None. 

The next meeting of the Services Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on 12 May 2026 at 10.00 am.

The next meeting of the Service Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to take place on 12 May 2026 at 10am.