The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee met to discuss the Annual Corporate Plan Self-Assessment Report 2024-25, the Strategic Equalities Plan Annual Report 2024-25, and the Scrutiny Advisor Report, focusing on actions, work programme updates, and outcomes monitoring. The committee requested more information on several topics and agreed to follow up on outstanding issues at the next meeting.

Annual Corporate Plan Self-Assessment Report 2024-25 and Corporate Plan Update

The committee reviewed the Annual Corporate Wellbeing Self Assessment report, which assesses the council's progress towards achieving its mission statement to deliver an Ambitious, Fairer and Greener Newport for everyone as part of the Corporate Plan 2022-27¹. The report also evaluates whether the annual report contains sufficient information to monitor the achievement of the Wellbeing Objectives and the effectiveness of the council's governance and performance arrangements to deliver the Corporate Plan and its statutory duties. The committee was asked to consider the update of the Corporate Plan and determine whether it wished to provide comments and recommendations to the cabinet.

The report highlights key achievements and challenges in 2024/25, including the delivery of the £32.1m Shared Prosperity Fund² to 84 projects, a positive Estyn³ inspection of Education Services, and the development of the council's Anti-Poverty Strategy. Challenges include the regeneration of the city centre, meeting the demands for Additional Learning Needs learners, and schools' capital maintenance and repairs backlog. The committee was asked to consider how the five ways of working⁴ have influenced the Wellbeing Objectives and Strategic Priorities, what the main areas of challenge are, and what successes could be developed to drive further improvement.

Strategic Equalities Plan Annual Report 2024-25

The committee was asked to consider the Strategic Equalities Plan Annual Report 24-25, and whether it reflects a true and fair account of the council's progress towards achieving the objectives defined in the Strategic Equality Plan 2024-28 for the period in question. The committee was also asked to consider whether the report highlights the ongoing commitment to equalities effectively, focuses on appropriate successes, and highlights appropriate areas for development.

The Strategic Equalities Plan (SEP) outlines the council's commitment to advancing equality, eliminating discrimination, and fostering good relations. The plan includes six equality objectives: leadership, governance and involvement; customer service, digital inclusion and access; representative workforce; community cohesion; equity in education; and equitable service delivery.

The committee was asked to consider how progress of compliance against the Strategic Equalities Plan is monitored, whether the report is a fair and honest reflection of current performance, and whether all staff members, senior management and relevant stakeholders are effectively engaged to deliver against the Plan.

Scrutiny Advisor Report

The committee reviewed the Scrutiny Advisor Report, which included the Action Plan, Forward Work Programme, and Outcomes Monitoring.

Actions Arising

The actions arising from previous meetings were reviewed, and the committee was asked to determine if any further information or action is required and agree to receive an update on outstanding issues at the next meeting. The Scrutiny Advisor, Samantha Herritty, noted the outstanding actions and agreed to chase for a response.

Forward Work Programme

The draft forward work programme for the year 2025-26 was considered, and the committee was asked if there were any amendments to the topics scheduled to be considered at the next committee meeting, any additional invitees that the committee requires to fully consider the topics, and any additional information that the committee would like to request. The Scrutiny Advisor noted that a meeting had been added for the 25th September 2025 to review the Empty Homes Strategy.

Outcomes Monitoring

The outcomes monitoring table was presented as part of the monitoring process to ensure that the recommendations are followed up and the outcomes reported back. The Scrutiny Advisor noted the outstanding actions and agreed to chase for a response and forward the responses once received.

The committee was asked to note the responses given by officers/cabinet members to recommendations made by the committee.