The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to consider a range of reports, including performance monitoring, human resources, and task group updates. A significant item on the agenda was a review of the council's policies and procedures for managing public rights of way disputes, prompted by a specific case.

Performance and Risk Monitoring Report 2025/26 Q4

The committee was scheduled to review the quarterly report on corporate performance and strategic risks for the 2025/26 financial year, as presented to Cabinet on 15 July 2026. This report provides an update on performance against the priorities outlined in the council's Our Wiltshire Plan 2025-35 and details the current strategic risks facing the council. The report indicated that of the 78 performance indicators, 76.9% were ranked as positive or neutral. Several measures, including those related to children's development, carbon emissions, and housing completions, had no new data available for this quarter and would be updated in future reports. The strategic risk summary highlighted that the overall level of current risk was medium, with updates to several risk descriptions to better reflect current threats, such as changes to government policy and the impact of climate change.

Human Resources & Organisational Development Annual Report

The committee was set to consider the annual report from the Human Resources & Organisational Development (HR&OD) team for 2025/26. This report summarised the team's activities, including initiatives focused on wellbeing and inclusion, management and leadership development, and employee experience. Key areas of focus for the upcoming year (2026/27) were also outlined, such as the introduction of a refreshed Wellbeing and Attendance policy, embedding a new Hybrid Working Policy, and expanding digital capability training. The report also detailed workforce challenges, including persistent recruitment and retention difficulties, high sickness absence levels, and increasing complexity in employee relations cases.

Task Group Update

Updates were scheduled on the activities of two task groups:

Stone Circle Standing Task Group

This task group, established in July 2025, was set to scrutinise the ongoing activities of Wiltshire Council's wholly-owned Stone Circle companies. Its remit included examining business plans, land development decisions, the distinct purposes of Stone Circle Housing and Stone Circle Development, and the management of financial risk. Recent activity included a meeting on 16 July 2026 to discuss outstanding issues related to Stone Circle Development and to begin a review of the Housing Company's strategy for purchasing properties for rent. The task group had also invited witnesses to provide further insight into the Development Company, though some had declined or not responded.

Area Board Grant Funding Task Group

This task group, established in January 2026, was reviewing the grant funding model used by Wiltshire Council's Area Boards. Its terms of reference included evaluating the feasibility of a crowdfunding model, assessing the proposed introduction of a central 'Wiltshire Council Community Fund', and considering a more simplified, outcomes-focused approach to Area Board grant funding criteria. The task group had met twice since the last committee meeting, reviewing evidence on the feasibility of a council crowdfunding platform and a community fund. It was currently considering its initial findings to identify any gaps for further scrutiny.

Forward Work Programme

The committee was to receive updates on the forward work programmes for the Finance & Procurement Select Committee, the Environment Select Committee, the Children's Select Committee, the Health Select Committee, and the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee itself. These updates provided details of upcoming agenda items, task groups, and rapid scrutiny exercises planned for future meetings.

A significant item within the Forward Work Programme was a motion brought to Full Council regarding the Protection of Wiltshire's Public Rights of Way and the Council's Duties under Section 130 of the Highways Act 1980. This motion requested that the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertake a review of Wiltshire Council's policies, procedures, and decision-making framework for discharging its duties under Section 130 of the Highways Act 1980, particularly where public rights of way are affected by disputed private rights. The review was recommended to consider how statutory duties are balanced against asserted private rights, how evidence is assessed, enforcement options, decision-making documentation, communication with stakeholders, and transparency. The motion also specifically asked for the handling of the Public Footpath SHREW 18 dispute to be examined as a case study to identify lessons learned. The committee was asked to report its findings and recommendations to Full Council.