Agenda and minutes

To note any changes in membership of the Committee made in accordance with Part 4B paragraph 5 of the Constitution.

No apologies or changes in membership were received.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2022.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2022 be confirmed as a true record.

To invite Members to declare any interest they might have in the matters on the agenda.

Cllr Michael Lilley declared an interest as a member of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee and the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Health and Social Care.

Cllr Karen Lucioni declared an interest in Minute item 21, Treasury Management Report, as a member of the Cabinet.

Questions may be asked without notice, but to guarantee a full reply at the meeting a question must be put (including the name and address of the questioner) in writing or by email to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk, no later than two clear working days before the start of the meeting. Therefore, the deadline for written questions will be Wednesday, 12 October 2022.

No public questions were received.

To consider the report of the Chief Internal Auditor.

The Chief Internal Auditor presented the progress report and advised that the internal audit plan was progressing and there was nothing significant to report. It was highlighted that the follow up audit on Technology Forge had moved from limited to reasonable assurance. No questions were raised, and the Internal Auditors were thanked for the report.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be received and noted.

To consider the report of the interim Chief Executive.

The Strategic Manager for Organisation Intelligence presented the report and drew attention to the strategic risks in relation to covid-related absences, succession planning, educational attainment, placements for looked after children, and the cost of care exercise.

Cllr Michael Lilley declared an interest in Strategic Risk 6, as his wife was an employee of Children’s Services.

Discussion took place regarding the risks around the mental health and wellbeing of staff, particularly sickness absences, recruitment, and retention. The Director of Corporate Services outlined the work being done to address this and comments were made in relation to reputation building and communicating good news stories. Questions were raised with regards to the risks around competing workload priorities and the Strategic Manager for Organisation Intelligence outlined the formal structure in place to address workload management.

Concerns were raised regarding Strategic Risk 6, particularly the difficulties around placements and supported accommodation due to increased demand. It was recommended that this issue be referred to the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services, Education and Skills.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted, and the strategic risks be approved.

THAT the difficulty around placements and supported accommodation (due to increased demand) be referred to the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services, Education and Skills.

To consider the report of the Director of Finance for Quarter 1 2022-23.

Consideration was given to the report on treasury management policies, practices, and activities for the quarter ended 30 June 2022. The Strategic Manager for Corporate and Technical Finance made verbal corrections to Appendix 1 of the report since it had been published. The short-term borrowing average percentage figure was corrected from 12% to 0.12%, and it was advised that the ‘ü’ symbols in the ‘Complied’ columns on the tables on pages 83 and 84 should be ticks.

Questions were raised regarding the wider impact of political upheaval on the financial market and the cost of living. It was advised that this would be reflected in future risk reporting and work was being undertaken across the council to support vulnerable people.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be received and noted.

To consider a verbal progress update from the Monitoring Officer.

The chairman provided a verbal update and advised that work was underway at pace following the outcome of the LGA planning peer review. Committee members were reminded to contact the Monitoring Officer if any minor amendments or ‘snags’ were identified.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

To consider and note the committee’s workplan.

Consideration was given to the Committees workplan for 2021-23. Attention was drawn to the Chairman’s annual report due for presentation to the next meeting of the Committee in November 2022. No comments or questions were raised at this stage and the workplan was noted.

RESOLVED:

THAT the workplan be noted.

A question must be submitted in writing or by email to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than 10am, Thursday 13 October 2022.

No members questions were received.