The Scrutiny Management Board (SMB) convened to discuss several key reports and plans, including the month three finance monitoring report, the corporate plan monitoring report for quarter four of 2024-25, and the risk management monitoring report for quarter one of 2025-26. The board also endorsed a plan for a select committee review of cycling in the city centre and received updates from committee chairs on their work programmes. Additionally, the board addressed the Leader's Forward Plan and reviewed the action log to ensure completion of pending items.

Finance Monitoring Report

The board reviewed the month three finance monitoring report, which indicated an adverse variance of £2.609m. The report highlighted several areas of concern:

• Children's Directorate: Budget pressures stemmed from increased costs in Children's Social Care placements, specifically independent sector placements, with residential placements at 64 (two above budget) and unregistered placements at 9 (also two above budget).
• Customer and Corporate Directorate: This directorate was forecasting an adverse variance of £1.557m, mainly due to additional survey requirements for the Facilities Management service and savings target delivery pressures.

The report noted that £4.737m of the in-year planned savings targets had been achieved, with ongoing monitoring to ensure any additional pressures are promptly addressed. The five-year capital budget for 2025-2030 was forecast at £351.063m.

The Board agreed to note the forecast revenue monitoring position at Month 3, highlighting the £2.609m adverse variance and associated risks, and acknowledged that senior officers would continue working with the Cabinet to reduce budgetary risks.

Corporate Plan Monitoring Report

The SMB reviewed the Corporate Plan Monitoring Report for Quarter Four of 2024-25. The report provided an overview of the council's performance against its corporate plan priorities, including:

• Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour: A reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents was noted, alongside the work of the Community Recovery Fund in rebuilding community cohesion.
• Infrastructure improvements: Noted progress on projects such as the Armada Way scheme and the New George Street / Old Town Street regeneration.
• Housing and economic growth: Highlighted continued collaboration with Homes England and the progress of regeneration programmes.
• Supporting vulnerable residents: Noted enhanced health and social care integration and dedicated funding streams for violence against women and girls.

The Board agreed to note the Corporate Plan Monitoring Report.

Risk Management Monitoring Report

The Risk Management Monitoring Report for Q1 2025-26 provided an update on the strategic risks facing Plymouth City Council. The report indicated that the strategic risk profile had remained reasonably stable, with 17 strategic risks held on the register, one less than the previous quarter. The report highlighted that the most concerning risks required management effort, particularly in the areas of social care sustainability, cyber security, and organisational financial management.

The strategic risk previously covering 'Social Care Sustainability' had been divided into two distinct risks, one focused on Adult Social Care and another on Children's Social Care. Two strategic risks, concession bus fares reimbursement and the Emergency Response Centre (ERC) back-up power, had been reclassified as operational risks.

The Board agreed to note the report.

Select Committee Review Plan: Cycling Food Delivery in the City Centre

The Board reviewed the Select Committee Review Plan for Cycling Food Delivery in the City Centre. The purposes of the Select Committee are to:

I. Review the evidence;

II. Respond to and act upon concerns raised by members of the public regarding pedestrian safety in the City. Concerns particularly related to food delivery riders' conduct, bike legality and heightened concerns for disabled and vulnerable pedestrian groups;

III. Develop a greater understanding of the issues, responsibilities and potential solutions across multi-agency partners and organisations;

IV. Work to ensure a balance is restored, where pedestrians and food delivery riders safely coexist in the City Centre.

The Board previously identified a number of areas for additional investigation, including:

I. Exploration of best practise from other local authorities and the Local Government Association, so that it may be adapted for Plymouth;

II. Determination of who held the duty of care for delivery riders, and who was responsible when accidents occurred;

III. Exploration of the potential implications and practical implementation of various potential mitigation measures, including: By-Laws, branded clothing, ID cards, and training and accreditation schemes;

IV. Exploration of the possibility of the development of a communication plan, in partnership with D&C Police, to promote safe and responsible cycling in the city centre.

Leader's Forward Plan

The Board considered the Leader's Forward Plan of Key Decisions. Councillor Mark Coker, Chair of the Scrutiny Management Board, had previously written to the Leader and all Cabinet members, requesting them to share details of their upcoming decisions for the next 12 months to enable scrutiny to help shape and influence decisions before they are made.

Update from Committee Chairs and Work Programmes

The Board received updates from individual Chairs of their respective Scrutiny Committees and associated work programmes. Councillor Pauline Murphy provided an overview of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel, Councillor Steve Ricketts provided an overview of the Natural Infrastructure and Growth Scrutiny Panel, and Elliot Wearne-Gould (Democratic Advisor) provided an overview of the Housing and Community Services Scrutiny Panel. Councillor Tess Blight provided an overview of the Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panel. The Board agreed to note the panels' work programmes.

Work Programme

The Board agreed to schedule the Hybrid Working Strategy and the Select Committee Review PID for Cycling in the City Centre for the next board meeting, subject to their readiness. The Board also requested that an informal work programming session was arranged to enable panel chairs to effectively work programme for the year ahead, and agreed to note the work programme.

Action Log

Elliot Wearne-Gould (Democratic Advisor) delivered an overview of the Action Log. The Select Committee PID for Cycling in the City Centre would be brought to the next meeting for discussion and finalisation. The previous Chair of the Scrutiny Management Board had undertaken positive engagement with City Centre Company businesses and food delivery organisations, and many had expressed their willingness to attend a select committee. The Board agreed to note the Action Log.