Purpose

To present the environment and communities overview and scrutiny panel's report to the cabinet following their review into social housing, to seek approval or to note the panel's recommendations.

Decision

RESOLVED having considered the environment and communities overview and scrutiny panel’s recommendations the Cabinet notes the report and commits to respond at a future date.

Reasons for the decision

It is the role of the SSO to advise the council on any issues or concerns that may arise about the operation of the scrutiny function and the SSO may on occasion be required to make a determination about what the law says and how this should be applied to any situation. In carrying out this statutory role, there is a need to have a nuanced and meaningful understanding of the scrutiny function to accurately make judgments about its operation when disagreements or other issues arise.

The SSO is also responsible for providing advice to the commission and cabinet on whether the recommendations within review reports are robust, taking account of resource, legal, climate change, equalities, health and wellbeing and strategic risk implications.

The environment and communities overview and scrutiny panel concluded their findings based on the evidence considered and review that was undertaken. The review report is attached as Appendix A. 

Alternative options considered

The cabinet could decide:

• to endorse the recommendations to cabinet as set out in the panel’s report,
• to endorse the recommendations in part,
• to suggest that further work be undertaken recognising that this would delay the panel’s next piece of work,
• to note the panel report.