The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Westmorland and Furness Council met to discuss the implementation of the Local Code of Corporate Governance and the development of foundational strategies, including the People Plan, ICT Strategy, and Customer Strategy. The committee reviewed progress, provided feedback, and discussed future directions for these initiatives.

Implementation of the Local Code of Corporate Governance

The committee received a report from the Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer on the progress of developing and implementing the Local Code of Corporate Governance. This code, adopted in January 2023, outlines the systems, processes, cultures, and values that ensure the council upholds high ethical standards, engages effectively with stakeholders, and demonstrates accountability.

Members raised concerns about the consistency in report writing, minute-taking, and the timing and frequency of meetings. The Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer acknowledged these issues and emphasised the importance of scrutiny for effective governance. The committee also discussed the annual training on the Code of Conduct provided to town and parish councils and the support for clerks.

A member noted the protocol for cancelling council meetings and suggested improvements for the Budget Consultation's accessibility on the council website. The Cabinet Member for Finance highlighted that over 600 people responded to the consultation, which was not a statutory requirement.

Development of Foundational Strategies

The committee reviewed a report from the Director of Enabler Services on the development of three foundational strategies: the People Plan, ICT Strategy, and Customer Strategy. Members appreciated the blended approach to customer services and the investment in 'growing our own' workforce to address shortages.

The Director of Enabler Services discussed ongoing efforts in recruitment and retention, particularly in challenging areas such as planning, adult social care, and legal services. The committee also explored the impact of the disaggregation process on council teams and the importance of making Westmorland and Furness an attractive place to live and work.

Members raised IT concerns and the need for adequate staffing support. The Director noted that while it was impossible to resolve every issue immediately, recruitment was ongoing, and the council's culture was attracting employees. The committee also discussed housing challenges and pathways for asylum seekers to join the workforce.

Forward Plan and Work Programme

The Strategic Policy and Scrutiny Advisor presented the Forward Plan and Work Programme, highlighting upcoming workshops to review the scrutiny function and develop a Scrutiny Protocol for the June meeting. A member inquired about the Framework for Highway Arboriculture Works and its accessibility to local contractors, which the advisor agreed to investigate further.

The committee discussed the importance of generating ideas for scrutiny involvement and extending meeting invitations to the Cabinet to facilitate better communication and understanding. The advisor also outlined the process for reviewing Outside Bodies, with an Officer Review followed by a Member Review, aiming to report back in September.

The next meeting of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for Thursday, 13 June 2024.