The Scrutiny Programme Committee met on Tuesday 16 July 2024 to review the council's work programme and discuss various service areas. Key decisions included the approval of the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2024/25 and the noting of several committee activities.

Role of the Scrutiny Programme Committee

The committee discussed its role as the council's overview and scrutiny function, responsible for managing all scrutiny activity through a single work plan. This involves holding the Cabinet to account, examining the work of council departments, and engaging the public. The committee also reviewed its terms of reference and discussed effective working practices, including developing questioning strategies and team collaboration.

Scrutiny Work Programme 2024/25

The committee approved the Scrutiny Work Programme for the upcoming year. This programme outlines the topics to be examined through various panels and working groups, with a focus on strategic and significant issues where scrutiny can make a difference. The proposed work includes in-depth inquiries into areas such as Community Assets and Grants, ongoing monitoring by performance panels covering areas like Service Improvement, Regeneration & Finance, Education, Adult Services, Child & Family Services, and Climate Change & Nature, and one-off working groups on topics including Empty Properties, Public Engagement, Agile Working, and Tree Services. The programme also incorporates ongoing joint and regional scrutiny activities with other local authorities.

Cabinet Member Questions – Recycling / Waste Collection Service

Councillor Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community (Services), attended to answer questions regarding the recycling and waste collection service. The committee had the opportunity to question the Cabinet Member on recent collection issues and how these were being addressed.

Follow Up: Scrutiny Working Group - Co-production

The committee received an update on the progress of co-production within the council, following up on a Scrutiny Working Group that had previously examined the topic. Councillor Hayley Gwilliam, Cabinet Member for Community (Services), provided a report detailing the outcomes of the co-production project, which included the development of a corporate co-production policy and a practical toolkit. The project aimed to embed a culture of co-production by building internal capacity and capability, with a network of 48 officers now acting as Co-production Champions.

Membership of Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups

The committee considered relevant matters regarding the membership of various scrutiny panels and working groups. This included noting any necessary changes to existing memberships.

Scrutiny Letters

The committee reviewed a log of Scrutiny Letters produced throughout the municipal year, which serve as a means for scrutiny to communicate directly with relevant Cabinet Members regarding views, conclusions, and recommendations. The committee also discussed correspondence between scrutiny and Cabinet Members, including letters relating to the work of the Safer Swansea Partnership, Community Growing, the Public Services Board, and Welsh Language Standards.

Date and Time of Upcoming Panel / Working Group Meetings

The committee was informed of the dates and times of upcoming scrutiny panel, working group, and regional meetings. These included sessions for the Climate Change & Nature Performance Panel, the Community Assets Inquiry Panel, the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Scrutiny Committee, and the Service Improvement, Regeneration & Finance Performance Panel.