The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cotswold District Council was scheduled to discuss a range of important council activities, including budget setting, financial and service performance, and neighbourhood planning. The committee was also set to consider the implications of the National Planning Policy Framework consultation for the district.

Building the Budget

The committee was scheduled to receive an outline of the council's budget-setting process for the 2025/26 financial year. This included key decision points and an overview of the administration's approach to the annual budget consultation. The committee was asked to note the report and consider any recommendations it wished to submit to the Cabinet. Councillor Mike Evemy, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, and David Stanley, Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, were invited to attend.

Financial Performance Report 2024-25 Quarter One

A report detailing the initial budget monitoring position for the 2024/25 financial year was scheduled for review. The committee was expected to note the financial position and consider any recommendations for the Cabinet meeting on 5 September. Councillor Mike Evemy and David Stanley were invited to this item. The report, available as Financial Performance Report - Q1 2024-25 OS v3, provided an initial budget monitoring position.

Service Performance Report 2024-25 Quarter One

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the council's priorities and service performance for the first quarter of 2024-25. The report, titled Cotswold OS Agenda item XX - Perfomance Report 2024-25 Quarter One, detailed progress against corporate priorities such as Delivering Good Services, Responding to the Climate Emergency, Delivering Housing, Supporting Communities, and Supporting the Economy. It also highlighted performance indicators, noting areas where performance was above or below target. Councillor Joe Harris, Leader of the Council, Robert Weaver, Chief Executive, and Alison Borrett, Senior Performance Analyst, were invited.

Neighbourhood Planning Update

An update was scheduled on the council's activities supporting parish-led neighbourhood plans across the district. The committee was asked to note the update and agree any recommendations it wished to submit to the Cabinet. Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, and Joseph Walker, Community Partnership Officer, were invited.

National Planning Policy Framework Consultation and the Implications for Cotswold District

The committee was scheduled to consider the implications of the National Planning Policy Framework consultation for Cotswold District. A report on this topic was expected.

Report back on recommendations

The committee was scheduled to note the Cabinet’s response to any recommendations that had arisen from previous Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings. Documents related to these responses included Cabinet response to Scrutiny recommendations on Ecology Report, Cabinet response to Scrutiny recommendations 22 July Channel Choice, and Cabinet response to Scrutiny recommendations 22 July Publica Review.

Work Plan and Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to review its work plan and forward plan, and to select Cabinet decisions for pre-decision scrutiny at future meetings. The Printed plan Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan September 2024 Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Printed plan Forward Plan - August 2024 - May 2025 Cabinet were available for review.

Updates from Gloucestershire County Council Scrutiny Committees

Verbal updates were scheduled to be received on the work of external scrutiny bodies, specifically the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Scrutiny Committee, with Councillor Angus Jenkinson providing an update, and the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee, with Councillor Dilys Neill providing an update.