The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) met to establish its committee structure for the upcoming municipal year, including appointing scrutiny leads and sub-committee members. The committee also received an update on the council's Continuous Improvement Plan, which is a response to the strengthened statutory intervention following a best value inspection.

Continuous Improvement Plan

Jonathan Lloyd, Strategic Director of Change and Improvement, provided an overview of the council's Continuous Improvement Plan. This plan is a direct response to the best value failings identified during the intervention, which was escalated in March 2026. Mr. Lloyd explained that while the council has made progress, particularly in partnerships and participation, significant challenges remain, especially within the one corporate team area, which is currently rated as red . This area includes addressing a backlog of internal audit actions and responding to external auditor recommendations.

The strengthened statutory intervention means that external envoys can be more instructive and challenging to ensure the council progresses at the necessary pace. A new Improvement Board, chaired by the lead envoy, has been established, and its papers will be shared with the committee. The council is also undertaking deep dive projects to address long-standing public perceptions on issues such as recruitment, grants, housing allocations, licensing, and planning. These deep dives are intended to investigate these perceptions, with the aim of demonstrating to the Secretary of State that the council is tackling these issues head-on.

Councillor Kamrul Hussain asked for clarification on areas of measurable improvement and underperformance. Mr. Lloyd highlighted progress in partnerships and participation, noting a green rating for this area, while acknowledging that the one corporate team area is rated red due to the scale of challenges. He expressed optimism for improvement in the next six months, citing the allocation of £2 million in resources and the recruitment of a new Director of Compliance.

Councillor Bodrul Choudhury inquired about the nature of the deep dive projects. Mr. Lloyd explained that these are intensive investigations, often facilitated by independent experts and led by envoys, designed to address negative public perceptions about the council. These projects will examine areas such as recruitment, grants, housing allocations, and licensing.

Councillor Rabina Khan asked about the process if envoys disagree with a paper. Mr. Lloyd explained that while interactions are typically informal, envoys do have reserve powers, similar to those of a commissioner, which could be used to challenge decisions if the council does not demonstrate sufficient improvement. He stressed that these powers are intended as a deterrent and are not meant to be used.

Committee Structure and Appointments

The committee agreed to re-establish its existing structure of three sub-committees: Health and Adults, Children and Education, and Housing and Regeneration. Councillor Halima Islam was confirmed as Chair, and Councillor Kamrul Hussain was elected as Vice-Chair. The following Scrutiny Lead Members were appointed:

• Adults and Health Services: Councillor Abulkashem Mohammed Helal
• Children & Education: Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury
• Housing and Regeneration: Councillor Mohammed Hasan Mahmud
• Finance and Resources: Councillor Kamrul Hussain
• Community Safety: Councillor Bodrul Choudhury
• Environment and the Climate Emergency: Councillor Rupert George

The committee also noted the calendar of meetings for the upcoming municipal year and discussed the potential for moving meetings during Ramadan, with officers agreeing to explore this possibility.

Forthcoming Decisions

The committee noted that the forthcoming decisions from the Executive Forward Plan had been published. No specific comments were raised by members at this time.

The meeting concluded with the committee looking forward to its next regular meeting on 27 July 2026 and a scheduled work programme development day on 28 July 2026.