The Performance, Assets and Strategy Scrutiny Committee met to discuss overview and scrutiny in local government, the budget setting timetable, changes to performance management, the Shared Services Partnership agreement, stock condition surveys, housing performance and the committee's work programme and forward plan. The committee agreed to include public consultation on the budget and the 3C ICT shared service in its September agenda, and procurement in a later meeting. They also decided to defer a decision on a task and finish group for damp and mould until more information is available.

• Overview and Scrutiny Role in Local Government: The committee discussed the role of overview and scrutiny in the new Cabinet model, emphasising a strategic overview and collaborative approach, rather than the previous combative structure. Councillor Katie Porrer, Chair of the Performance, Assets and Strategy Scrutiny Committee, stated that the committee is not whipped, and aims to work collaboratively with the Cabinet. The Housing Board's terms of reference will be reviewed to ensure tenant representatives can effectively feed into the committee.

• Budget Setting Timetable 2026-27: Jodie Everington, the Council's Chief Finance Officer, provided an early update on the budget-setting process for 2026-27, noting that the BSR[^1] for 2025-26 had set out provisional savings targets for the next five years. The committee discussed synchronising the housing revenue account with the general account, aligning the MTFS[^2] with the budget, and the timetable for these actions. Councillor Davey raised the importance of aligning performance reports with savings to assess the impact on performance. Councillor Dayelle asked about the deadline for the report for Cabinet, which is expected to be available the first week of July.

  [^1]: BSR stands for Budget Setting Report. [^2]: MTFS stands for Medium Term Financial Strategy.

• Changes to Performance Management: Jane Wilson, the Council's Chief Operating Officer, updated the committee on changes to performance management, including the development of performance measures and data reporting using a dashboard approach. The aim is to develop an integrated approach, bringing performance data alongside financial and risk data. Workshops with committee members are planned for September to develop reporting templates. Councillor Davey requested to see the template before the workshop. Councillor Naomi Bennett asked about the dashboard for internal and external use, and Jane Wilson clarified that the dashboards will be different, with the one for Cabinet being a public document. Councillor Dale asked about customer practice in other councils and the software being used. Councillor Jenny Gawthrope Wood asked about information collected in the past that is no longer needed.

• Shared Services Partnership Agreement: Jane Wilson provided an update on the Shared Services Agreement between Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, and Huntingtonshire District Council, which covers building control, legal services, and 3C ICT[^3]. The recommendation is to renew the agreement for a further five years. Councillor Davey suggested a deep dive on 3CICT, and Councillor Baigent asked about the contract if the council gets broken down and moved into another group. The committee discussed the timing of a deep dive into 3CICT and the possibility of sharing the previous deep dive report.

  [^3]: 3C ICT is a shared service for Information and Communications Technology between Cambridge City, Huntingdonshire District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

• Stock Condition Survey Commissioning: James Elms, Director of City Services, presented an update on the stock condition survey, noting the need for a reliable and current stock condition database to ensure properties are safe, decent, and legally compliant, as required by the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023. The proposal is to use an externalized phased delivery approach. Councillor Sheil asked about the tenant experience measures, and Councillor Griffin asked how the survey results feed into maintenance and repair. Councillor Bennett offered chaperone services for tenants who may have difficulty permitting access to their homes. Councillor Dyer raised the issue of non-access and how it compares with other councils.

• Housing Performance and Social Housing: Ben Binns, Assistant Director of Development, provided an update on housing performance and social housing, highlighting the handover of 70 council homes at Aylesborough Close and the start of construction on four schemes. He also mentioned the planning application for demolition of Stanton House and the progress on rehousing tenants from Eakin Road. Samantha Shimmon provided an overview of performance reporting for council homes, including operational KPIs and annual items such as the tenant satisfaction measures. She also discussed the inspection process with the regulator of social housing, the introduction of Awaab's Law[^4], and the resident involvement strategy renewal. Councillor Scheel praised the work at Aylesborough Court, and Councillor Griffin asked about the status of the Davie Road project. Councillor Bajan asked if tenants are being decanted from Eakin Road. Councillor Dale asked about the tenant census and how it compares with other councils.

  [^4]: Awaab's Law is a piece of legislation that will require social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould in their properties within specified timeframes. It is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died from a respiratory condition caused by mould in his social housing flat.

• Overview and Scrutiny Annual Business: Work Programme and Forward Plan: Matthew Stickley, Interim Committee Manager, provided an overview of the forward plan and work programme, emphasizing the committee's role in holding the Cabinet to account and working in the best interests of the city. The committee discussed potential items for future agendas, including public consultation on the budget, shared services 3C ICT, procurement, local government reorganization, and the Cambridge Growth Company. Councillor Bennett suggested a scoring matrix for selecting deep dives, and Councillor Davy emphasized the importance of benchmarking against other authorities. The committee agreed to defer a decision on a task and finish group for damp and mould until more information is available.