The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to discuss a range of reports and updates at its meeting on Wednesday 23 September 2026. Key topics included the council's Annual Report for 2025-26, an update on transformation activities, and proposed changes to the national scheme of delegation for planning committees. The committee was also set to review the final report of the Area Boards Funding Task Group and receive updates on other management committee task groups.

Wiltshire Council Annual Report 2025-26

The committee was scheduled to consider the Wiltshire Council Annual Report for 2025-26. This report, which was to be presented to Cabinet on 8 October and Full Council on 20 October, provides a summary of achievements against the priorities set out in Our Wiltshire Plan 2025-35. The plan itself, endorsed by Wiltshire Council on 21 October 2025, outlines the council's vision for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable county. The annual report details progress against nine priority areas and corporate priorities, aiming to foster transparency, accountability, and collaboration. It highlights the council's commitment to delivering reliable local services, strong communities, better roads and infrastructure, and support for those most in need, while acknowledging ongoing financial pressures and the demand for services.

Annual Complaints and Service Improvement Report 2025-26

A review of the council's complaints activity between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 was scheduled. This report, prepared in accordance with the Complaint Handling Codes of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) and the Housing Ombudsman, details the number of formal complaints received, which saw a significant increase of 27% on the previous year. The report was expected to outline how these complaints were handled, the timeliness of responses, and the outcomes of upheld complaints. It was also intended to identify the services that received the highest number of complaints, with Adult Social Care, Families and Children, Education and Skills, and Housing Services accounting for over half of all complaints. The report was also to address the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools by complainants in drafting complaints and the council's exploration of AI in complaint management.

HR & OD Annual Report 2025-26

The committee was due to consider the HR & OD Annual Report for 2025-26, which had previously been presented to the Staffing Policy Committee on 7 May. This report provides a summary of the HR & Organisational Development team's activities over the year, covering areas such as strategic HR, recruitment, HR operations, organisational development, and payroll services. It was also intended to outline the priorities and challenges shaping HR & OD activity from April 2026 onwards, focusing on wellbeing and inclusion, management and leadership capability, and employee experience. The report was expected to detail progress on initiatives such as the Inclusion Strategy, early careers events, and the refresh of wellbeing policies.

National Scheme of Delegation - Planning Committee Changes

A report on proposed changes to the council's constitution was scheduled for discussion, necessitated by updated legal requirements regarding planning applications and committees. The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and subsequent Regulations mandate changes to how planning applications are determined, with many categories no longer being decided by planning committees and existing call-in arrangements being removed. The council was required to update its arrangements by 31 October 2026. The report outlined proposed amendments to Part 3B (Committee Terms of Reference), Part 3D3 (Scheme of Delegation - Planning), and Protocol 4 (Planning Code of Good Practice). These changes would introduce a Gateway Test for certain applications, replacing the previous call-in system, and would limit the types of applications that could be determined by members. The report acknowledged the council's objection to these national changes, viewing them as a diminution of local democracy.

Transformation Portfolio Update

An update on transformation activity since September 2025 was to be provided. This report aimed to explain how transformation initiatives are being prioritised, governed, and delivered through the Strategic Framework, a quadrant model, Performance and Outcome Board reporting, and the Transformation Delivery Group. The update was intended to offer clearer reporting on progress, risks, dependencies, benefits, and the impact on residents, responding to previous scrutiny recommendations. The report was expected to detail changes in portfolio structure, improved reporting on progress and risks, and a clearer route for moving work from discovery into delivery.

Performance and Risk Monitoring Report 2026 Q1

The committee was scheduled to consider the quarterly report to Cabinet on the corporate performance scorecard for the first quarter of 2026/27. This report provides an update on performance against the priorities set out in Our Wiltshire Plan 2025-35. It was expected to detail the performance of 78 indicators, with a summary indicating that 74.3% were ranked as positive or neutral. The report was also to include an update on the Council's strategic risks, identifying threats to the delivery of its ambitions. The report noted an increase in the strategic risk related to a failure to deliver strategic housing aspirations, moving from medium to high risk, and an increase in the risk associated with achieving carbon neutral ambitions.

Consultancy Provider Procurement

A proposal for the procurement of a Neutral Vendor to manage consultancy services and off-payroll working was on the agenda. The report highlighted that the council spends a significant amount annually on specialist professional services and consultancy, and current arrangements lack a consistent approach, leading to limited visibility of spend and increased financial, legal, and reputational risk. The proposed solution involves a mini-competition under the ESPO Framework for Managed Services for Temporary Agency Resources. The aim is to strengthen compliance, improve oversight, and ensure accurate reporting of consultancy activity, thereby enabling a more strategic approach to consultancy services, ensuring value for money, and reducing risk. The estimated cost over a maximum four-year term was £12 million, to be funded from existing service budgets.

Final Report of the Area Boards Funding Task Group

The committee was to receive the final report of the Area Boards Grant Funding Task Group, which had been established in January 2026. The task group's remit included scrutinising the council's grant funding investment into communities through Area Boards. Key areas of investigation included the suitability of implementing a crowdfunding model, the evaluation of a proposed central 'Wiltshire Council Community Fund', an assessment of current grant funding criteria for a more simplified, outcomes-focused approach, and the feasibility of combining existing funding streams into one versatile pot. The task group's conclusions were expected to be presented for endorsement and referral to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities.

Management Committee Task Groups

An update on the activity and appointed memberships of Management Committee Task Groups was scheduled. This item was also to include proposals for the endorsement of Terms of Reference where appropriate.

Cabinet Member Update

A brief verbal update was expected from attending Cabinet Members or their Portfolio Holders, highlighting news, successes, or milestones in their respective areas that were not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

Forward Work Programme

The committee was to receive updates from the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Select Committees regarding topics under scrutiny in their areas. This included any recommendations for endorsement by the Management Committee. The Forward Work Programme itself was also to be reviewed.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 25 November 2026.

Urgent Items

Any other items of business that the Chairman agreed to consider as a matter of urgency were also to be addressed.